2026
OPEN CALL
The Inter-island Festival (IIF) is calling for projects for the forthcoming edition in November 2026! If you have creative and engaging ideas related to the islands, or knowledge and experience of the islands you'd like to share or explore deeper, we’d love to hear from you!
Taking place on the five weekends between 1–29 November, IIF2026 will frame the three islands and four ports of the Inter-island Region with an archipelagic perspective. We are interested in how these islands are connected as one whole region, and in the varied ways these connections manifest from port to port.
Application is open from 1 May to 6 June 2026.
About the Theme
Archipela Go! Go!
Opening Proposition
Between the islands of Cheung Chau, Peng Chau, and Lantau, the sea that surrounds them, and adjacent ports connected by routes outside of the Inter-island Ferry, there is a constant exchange of folklore, knowledge, goods, and people. Though each port is unique, those connections map out a distinct archipelagic wholeness we call the 'Inter-island Region'.
The Inter-island Region has been connected as one archipelago since long before modern Hong Kong. To understand it properly, we need out-of-the-box creators and thinkers to dig into the characters and narratives that have shaped—and continue to shape—the Inter-island story.
So, we ask: how does this restoration of an archipelagic perspective—framed by connection, fluidity, and openness—change our understanding of the region, and of Hong Kong (which is itself, essentially, a cluster of islands) at large?
Archipela Go! Go!
The literal translation of the chosen Chinese theme, 羣島共生 kwan4dou2 gung4sang1, is 'archipelagic co-living'. But that didn't fully convey the sense of joy that underlies our Festival's mission. So we are archipelago-go-ing in the direction of all the implications of the phrase 'go go':
'Go go' as in the music genre in which wild, funky rhythms and live audience participation are essential to its sound. 'Go go' as in the party-going hype-dancer, who gets the celebration of being alive going. Or the imperative ‘Get going!’—across the sea to connect with your neighbours. But, most of all, 'go go' as in the encouraging ‘Add oil’ or ‘Keep on keeping on’—supporting a world where the unique cultures, flora, and fauna of the Inter-island Region are allowed to continue thriving as they are, both individually as islands and together as an archipelago...even if sometimes that means just sitting still.
Threads of Thematic Enquiry
(i) Inter-island Mythologies
Myths and stories flow through the inter-island archipelago: Tin Hau, the Goddess of the Sea, presides over the comings and goings on each island; Cheung Po Tsai is a legendary pirate who plied the Inter-island Sea around Cheung Chau; and it is said that Guan Gong travels from one island to another. A deep exploration of the myths and stories within the region may unveil unexpected connections and new narratives for the region.
Keywords: Tin Hau, Cheung Po Tsai, urban legends, oral traditions, origins of the Inter-island Region before contemporary Hong Kong...
(ii) Tidal Beings
For the living beings who live on, in, or with the sea, life is entwined with the ebb and flow of the tides. When we think of sea dwellers in the Inter-island Region, Tanka people, Chinese white dolphins, and creatures that crawl over the rocky shores immediately come to mind. But the sea also carries temporary tidal beings: the people and goods on ferry crossings, the flotsam and jetsam that washes ashore. These movements create new connections and dissolve borders. The potential and danger of living in the sea, the relationship with the (is)land(s), and the unique way of seeing the world will be investigated in 2026.
Keywords: sea and rocky shore creatures, soil bed, Chinese white dolphins, Tanka, fisherfolk, refugees, rehab centre, flows of goods…
Event Formats
Support for Selected Proposals
Proposals selected through open call will be divided into TWO categories: funded Micro Projects and self-initiated Satellite Projects. Projects that exemplify the requested selection criteria will receive priority for funding.
支援 Support Provided | 微型項目 Micro Project (Event & Exhibition) | 微型項目（導賞團）Micro Project (Tour) | 衛星活動 Satellite Project |
|---|---|---|---|
Public Liability Insurance | ✓ | ✓ | 𝘅 |
Curatorial Support | ✓ | ✓ | Partial |
Promotional Support | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Production Fee | Up to HK$7,500* | Up to HK$1,000* | HK$0 |
Honorarium | Up to HK$5,000* | Up to HK$5,000* | HK$0 |
*Actual funding per project will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and allocated based on the content and scope of the proposal in relation to Festival resources.
Eligibility
Who can propose a project?
We accept individual or group applications from creative talents of any media (visual arts, design, architecture, performing art, music, moving and still images, digital media, mixed media), craftspeople, researchers, historians, scientists, farmers, fisherfolk, and everyday kaifong with special island knowledge they'd like to share. IIF is especially eager to collaborate with current and previous island residents.
How many proposals can I submit?
We limit submissions to one proposal per group or entity.
What language should the proposal be written in?
We accept proposals in Chinese or English.
What activity formats are accepted?
Exhibitions, installations, performances, tours, workshops, screenings, concerts—or any combination of the above. We also welcome brand-new interactive formats.
*To foster on-site and in-person engagement, we normally do not consider proposals with publication as the core element of the presentation, unless there is a convincing reason.
How many activities should I plan on organising?
For each project, we request you plan at least two iterations of your activity. They can be completely identical (e.g. the same tour route on different days), iterative (e.g. a series of workshops on a topic with two different angles of engagement), or complimentary (e.g. a month-long exhibition with one artist sharing).
If you're unsure on programming, go ahead and submit your project idea. We can help provide curatorial guidance if your proposal is selected.
Who is the Festival's desired target audience?
People who live, work on, and/or care for the communities of Peng Chau, Mui Wo, Chi Ma Wan, and Cheung Chau.
When will I need to be available?
A new feature of IIF2026 is to spotlight one port per weekend, concentrating the bulk of events for that port in one two-day period. This feature is meant to help visitors and staff better plan their journeys. Please keep in mind we will request you to hold at least one iteration of your event on the weekend allocated to your port of call.
Tentative Spotlight Schedule
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07–08 Nov (Sat/Sun) — Cheung Chau Spotlight
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14–15 Nov (Sat/Sun) — Chi Ma Wan Spotlight
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21–22 Nov (Sat/Sun) — Mui Wo Spotlight
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28–29 Nov (Sat/Sun) — Peng Chau Spotlight
When is the latest I can submit a proposal?
23:59 (HKT / GMT+8), 6 June 2026 (Sat)
Late submissions will not be considered.
How many proposals will be selected?
The final number of selected proposals will depend on the overall proposed content, locations, and resources required.
Open Call Timeline
2026.04.24 (Fri)
2026.06.06 (Sat)
2026.06.27-28 (Sat/Sun)
2026.07.14 (Tue)
2026.07.15-10.30
2026.11.01-11.29 (Sat/Sun)
2026.11.30-12.01
Open call begins
Open call closes
Shortlist interviews
Result announcement
Production
Festival (5 weekends)
Dismantling (if needed)
Selection Criteria
Originality
Creativity and freshness of perspective are essential.
Accessibility
Island residents are diverse. Projects that are down-to-earth, interactive and inclusive are encouraged.
Thematic Relevance
We are especially keen on projects that highlight the nuances and variations in what connects the three islands as one archipelago.
Feasibility
Projects that can be executed within the available time, resources and expertise have a higher chance of being selected.
Site Specificity
Projects that respond to a specific community, environment, or island context are highly preferred.
Community Value
Projects that strengthen islanders' self-awareness, connect community members, and/or promote solidarity or mutual aid across the islands are preferable.
How to Apply
Please fill in the Google Form between 1 May and 6 June 2026 (Sun), by 23:59 Hong Kong time (GMT+8). Late submissions will not be considered.
The form includes the following:
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Personal particulars
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Proposed title, format, and location of project
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Concept and execution plan (<500 words)
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Expected target audience segment and number of participants
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Materials, human resources, and other help needed (<200 words)
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Estimated budget
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Supporting images and websites, if applicable
Applicants are encouraged to visit the islands and/or talk with people living on the islands to understand the region and consolidate the proposal.
Questions?
Contact us at:
interislandfestival [at] gmail.com
fb: interislandfestival / ig: interislandfestival
Or shoot us a message via our contact form.