Residencies, Exchanges, Festivals

1. International & Regional Mobility (Poland / CEE)

These programs support short-term residencies, research trips, production, and presentations across Europe. Many are accessible to non-EU and migrant artists if documentation is in order.

Key Poland / CEE Programs

• Culture Moves Europe – Travel + per diem for artists working across Europe (strong option for Poland-based migrant artists)
• Adam Mickiewicz Institute – International cultural exchange & cooperation
• Goethe-Institut – Residencies, research stays, and co-productions in the region
• Institut Français – Mobility, residencies, and project support
• Visegrad Fund – Exchanges within Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary

Good to know

• Often require a partner institution or invitation letter
• Preparation should start 3–6 months in advance
• Portfolios usually accepted in English

2. South–South & East–East Exchanges

Programs connecting Eastern Europe, Balkans, Caucasus, Africa, Latin America, and post-socialist contexts. Often more flexible and politically aware.

Key Programs

• Prince Claus Fund – Mobility & cultural exchange with Global South focus
• Arts Collaboratory – Long-term collaboration & solidarity-based projects
• ZKM – Transdisciplinary & East–West exchanges

3. Diaspora-Focused Opportunities

Programs addressing migration, identity, memory, postcolonial and decolonial narratives.

Relevant for Poland / CEE-based diaspora artists

• African Culture Fund
• British Council – Selected diaspora & mobility strands
• Open Society Foundations – Culture, democracy, and mobility programs

1. Film Festivals (CEE-relevant)

Useful for visibility, networking, and distribution, even without awards.

Key Festivals

• Millennium Docs Against Gravity – Documentary focus, Poland-wide
• Krakow Film Festival – Shorts & documentary
• Berlinale – Major international industry platform
• IDFA – Documentary excellence
• FESPACO – African & diaspora visibility
• Afrykamera – African films in Poland

Toolkit tip

• Distinguish between open submissions and curated invitations
• Some festivals offer submission fee waivers

2. Performance Platforms (Theatre, Dance, Spoken Word)

Often curated, sometimes via open calls or partnerships.

CEE-relevant Platforms

• Nowy Teatr – Experimental & interdisciplinary
• PACT Zollverein – Dance & performance (Germany / CEE access)
• HAU Hebbel am Ufer – International performance network