With the new year in full swing (18th January already wth) we figured it was time to share some of the most interesting/exciting opportunities for creatives we’ve got on our radar at the moment. This one is going out to all you poets, filmmakers, photographers (see opportunity 6.) and script writers. So get looking, get going and get creative.
Got something you think we should be sharing? Then let us know by emailing stghostycreatives@gmail.co.uk.
We share the most opportunities through our socials, so follow us on Instagram, Threads and Blsky to keep completely up to date with everything we’re sharing!
Short fiction Journal
A chance to your piece of short fiction included, so long as it’s between 500-5000 words. The Journal offers the opportunity to have one piece selected as their featured piece, and one as an introducing piece. Each opportunity comes in at one piece per month, so you have time time to think about this one depending on what kind of piece you want them to take a look at. As always, we ‘d highly recommend taking a look at the journal itself to see what of your writing might be a the best fit.
Summerhall Arts Awards: Edinburgh Fringe
Summerhall Arts is one of the most famous arts venues in Edinburgh, both during the world famous Edinburgh Fringe festival but also throughout the year in supporting new and exciting Socttish theatre. To help more new work to be able to make the journey to the biggest fringe festival in the world – Summerhall are offering three distinct awards, providing a spot in their programme and £3000 towards the presenting artists/company. These awards are:
The Autopsy award for Scottish based artists working to bring a production/show to Edinburgh.
The Meadows award, set up for artists of colour anywhere in the world.
The Mary Dick Award, set up for D/deaf or disabled artists.
You can find more details on criteria and submission for all 3 awards down below. Remember to fully read the criteria to make sure your work is most applicable. Summerhall have earned a strong reputation for prioritising artistic visions and unique work over ‘generalised’ programming. Likewise, taking your work to a festival will be a momentous task, exciting, but momentous nonetheless. Take a look and see for yourself, remmeber to reach our for support if it’s your first time taking anything to a festival!
Sub Terrain Literary Journal
Sub-Terrain Literary Magazine – A Quarterly, Canadian based Literary magazine offering up submissions for the 103rd issue for writers worldwide.
Consistent, bold and distinct – Sub-Terrain offers a great chance to give creative input to an open, general theme. If you’re specifically looking for inspiration, then you can also take a look at their Spring/Summer call for issue 104 – centred around the theme of guilt.
The Propel Cambridge Poetry Prize 2026
A collaboration between PACE and Propel Magazine, this prize offers £750 and a free entry. The prize is judged by poet Bhanu Kapil and open to writers from across the world without a full collection. This open call is very specific on the format and layout of entries, so do make sure to fully read all the guidelines before submitting your work.
Bristol Documentary Film Festival
An open call for challenging, emotional and distinct documentaries of any kind, topic or theme.
They’re looking for Features, shorts and minis aka. under 8 minutes in length. This is the perfect opportunity to take some risks with that one idea you couldn’t shake. Submissions are through film freeway but you can find links and more information below:
Bristol Documentary Film Festival
SALON SUBMISSION
Another one for any photographers out there! B+W Photography are looking for 10 – 15 photos that show the world as you see it. What do you want others to see?
No matter how big or small, what are the details of the world that form your view? Send through your small portfolio of pictures via the link below. Salon is month-rolling, so experiment, try something new, push yourself.
KINO:
The Kino Short Film Fund – Kino London are a UK based production company, who have a track record of supporting emerging filmmakers – granting two funds every year to which any filmmaker, anywhere in the world can apply to. They grant up to £5000, as well as providing a free camera and lens package for a weekend, a lighting package and mentorship from an award winning film producer.
If you have a project you want to shoot in the next 9 months, or need financial support for completion costs, then this is the one for you.
The London Library Emerging Writers Programme 26/27
The London Library have once again opened up their annual emerging writers programme to support new writers on a project of their choice with all the benefits of a year long membership of the library. The programme offers use of the library spaces, peer support, networking opportunities and the support of a team of writers and industry professionals to develop your project. Closing on the 23rd February, take a look below for more information on how to start putting your application together – it might seem like a more in depth one then most, but remember this is for a year’s worth of support! So it’s worth putting in the detail:
The Verity Bargate Award 2026
The Verity Bargate Award 2026 From Soho Theatre – an annual award supporting challenging and bold new work for stage, looking for full length scripts i.e. longer than 60 minutes. Honouring the co-founder of Soho Theatre, London – Verity Bargate – the award provides £12,000 and the exclusive option to Soho Theatre to produce the play as part of their programme.
Additionally, a second writer will be selected for the Character 7 Commission and join the Soho ReDraft development programme. You have until the 13th April with this one, but best to start planning while the iron’s hot!
Good luck!
Team Ghosty x
stghostycreative.co.uk 
Leave a comment