ZAMEK Culture Centre

The ZAMEK Cultural Centre in Poznań is organizing the third edition of the Forum Without Barriers – an international conference dedicated to accessibility in film culture.
We invite proposals for presentations on how film and audiovisual media can support social change, combat exclusion, and create new meeting spaces.
Our goal is for participants of the Forum Without Barriers to leave inspired, but also equipped with practical knowledge. We believe in the formula: inspiration + practice.
Deadline for submissions: October 31, 2025

Submission form: 

FORM
Regulations:

Regulations

We understand accessibility in a broad and inclusive way – as actions in which film and audiovisual media support people historically marginalized. We welcome individuals and organizations willing to share their experiences, research, and practices. We are particularly interested in ideas showing how film and media can support:
•    people with disabilities,
•    neurodiverse people,
•    people experiencing mental health crises,
•    older adults, people with experience of migration or homelessness,
•    other groups vulnerable to social exclusion.

•    Case study presentation (up to 20 minutes) – examples of projects counteracting exclusion,
•    Thematic presentation (up to 20 minutes) – on a selected aspect of cinema accessibility,
•    Research presentation (up to 20 minutes),
•    Panel discussion (up to 3 people, up to 50 minutes),
•    Workshop (up to 3 hours, for Forum participants).

•    law and safety,
•    the role of local governments in promoting accessibility in culture,
•    promotion and visibility of accessibility,
•    AI and accessibility (subtitles, audio description, Sign Language),
•    representation of people with disabilities in film industry and on the screen,
•    film education,
•    invisible disabilities,
•    expanded accessibility (e.g. for people in migration, health, or homelessness crises).

•    Stage I – Abstract: send max. 1 page (A4), up to 1800 characters including spaces, describing your topic (in Polish or English).
•    Stage II – Online presentation: selected applicants will be invited to a short online conversation (approx. 5 minutes) to present their idea. At this stage, we will assess the relevance, innovativeness, adaptability, as well as presentation and communication skills.

•    Call opens: September 29, 2025
•    Submission deadline: October 31, 2025
•    Online interviews: November 2025
•    Programme announcement: by November 30, 2025

•    Fee: €150 / PLN 600 (per person, also for panelists); €300 / PLN 1200 for conducting a workshop,
•    One night in a hotel provided,
•    Travel costs reimbursed (up to an agreed limit).

•    clarity of message and presentation energy,
•    relevance to the Forum’s theme (film as a tool for inclusion),
•    potential to inspire and be adapted in other contexts,
•    diversity of perspectives (research, practice, personal, organizational).

The Forum Without Barriers will take place on February 24–26, 2026 at the ZAMEK Cultural Centre in Poznań.

The first day will be dedicated to practical workshops in smaler groups. The second and third days will focus on inspiration – with short talks, panels, and presentations.
The Forum will combine inspiration with practical knowledge – we want participants to leave not only with new ideas but also with concrete tools for action.

We warmly invite you to take part!

Grafika z kolorowym, gradientowym kształtem w tle (odcienie zieleni, pomarańczowego, różu i fioletu) na jasnym tle. Na nim umieszczone są czarne i białe napisy w języku polskim i angielskim. Treść na grafice to: Forum bez barier, 3 Forum bez barier / 3rd Forum Without Barriers, Zgłoś swój pomysł na wystąpienie! / Submit your proposal!, Open Call, Deadline: 31.10.2025, 24–26.02.2026, CK ZAMEK, Poznań, Poland.