Guest blog by Horizons Festival (Manchester, UK)

CAN and HOME are delighted to announce two incredible opportunities for artists and filmmakers to showcase their work as part of the Horizons Festival during Refugee Week in June 2025. These commissions invite creative responses to the festival’s theme, More In Common, (inspired by this year’s Community as a Superpower) and are open to Greater Manchester-based artists and filmmakers with lived experiences of displacement or those seeking sanctuary through the UK asylum system.

If you are aged 18 or older and have the right to work in the UK, we encourage you to apply.


Horizons Festival 2025 Visual Art Commission

This commission invites artists to create 2D artwork in mediums such as illustration, painting, drawing, printmaking, digital illustration, photography, and collage.

Key Details:

  • Once submitted, the original artwork will be photographed, digitally enlarged, printed on large-scale vinyl, and prominently installed outside HOME.
  • The artwork will be showcased at HOME for eight weeks.
  • The selected artist’s work will be contextualized through a panel discussion, Q&A session, or introduction.

What’s available?

  • £1,000 funding (£500 in April, £500 in June)
  • Creative support from HOME’s Creative Development Practitioner, including regular meetings and technical advice
  • Artwork installation and promotion by HOME
  • Exhibition space at HOME for up to eight weeks

How to Apply:

Visit Visual Art Commission Call-Out for more details.

Application Deadline: Monday 10 February at 12 noon


Horizons Festival 2025 Short Documentary Film Commission

This commission offers a unique opportunity for a filmmaker to create a short documentary (maximum 20 minutes) that showcases the work of the Arts and Migration Group, a collective of artists who curate the Horizons Festival each year.

Project Scope:

The film will explore the creative experiences, artistic practices, and collaborative work of the group. It should include:

  • Interviews with several artists from the group
  • ‘Day in the life’-style footage of artists creating and working
  • Interviews with festival producers at CAN and HOME
  • A cohesive narrative curated by the filmmaker

What’s available?

  • £1,000 funding (£500 in April, £500 in June)
  • Two to four days of creative support from HOME’s Creative Development Practitioner
  • Access to filmmaking equipment loan from HOME
  • Screening at HOME Cinema on Sunday 15 June 2025
  • Career development advice

How to Apply:

Visit Documentary Film Commission Call-Out for more details.

Application Deadline: Monday 10 February at 12 noon


Application Timeline for Both Opportunities

  • Application Deadline: Monday 10 February at 12 noon
  • Notification of Successful Applicants: March 2025
  • Film Delivery Deadline: Monday 26 May 2025

Questions or Access Requirements?

If you have any questions or require any access support to apply, please email horizons@homemcr.org.

We encourage all eligible artists and filmmakers to apply and look forward to seeing your creative responses to the theme More In Common at Horizons Festival 2025!