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WARM ACADEMY 2026 OPEN CALL

The WARM Foundation is inviting applications for the 8th edition of the WARM Academy, to be held in Sarajevo from July 6-12, 2026, alongside the WARM Festival. Participation is limited to a selected group of participants, chosen through an open call process.

We welcome applications from students, researchers, artists, photographers, filmmakers, academics, journalists, and all individuals engaged in or passionate about reporting, art, research, and memory practices related to contemporary conflicts and post-conflict realities.

About the WARM Academy

The WARM Academy is a multidisciplinary educational program dedicated to exploring innovative approaches and best practices for addressing contemporary conflicts and post-conflict transitions. The Academy takes place in parallel with, and as an integral part of, the WARM Festival – a unique international gathering of reporters, artists, researchers, and filmmakers committed to documenting conflict and memory with excellence and integrity.

The 2026 edition will focus on ongoing global hot spots as well as overlooked conflicts that remain out of the international spotlight. Participants will engage directly with award-winning authors, globally recognized experts, and individuals with firsthand experience from conflict zones, examining the critical role of reporting, art, and academic work in times of global turmoil.

Projects and Festival Presentations

A limited number of projects submitted as part of Academy applications may be selected for curated presentation within the official WARM Festival program.

We are looking for strong, original, and relevant projects addressing contemporary conflict that may be presented during the WARM Festival. These can be journalistic, artistic, academic, or other creative works engaging with war, human rights, or post-conflict realities.

We welcome a wide range of formats and approaches, including:

  • Finished or unfinished works, such as films, photo series, books, performances, theater pieces, multimedia installations, exhibitions, live music, audio storytelling, TV or online content
  • Works-in-progress, presented as talks, installations, or previews, with the possibility of further development within the WARM network
  • Proposals for public events, workshops, lectures, and discussions
  • Experimental or hybrid formats that push boundaries in form or perspective

All proposals should reflect the core values of the WARM Foundation: telling the story with excellence and integrity. We are committed to amplifying powerful, underrepresented voices and contributing to a deeper understanding of today’s conflicts. While the festival often focuses on major, well-documented conflicts, we actively welcome and support projects addressing lesser-known or overlooked contemporary struggles.

Practical information

In addition to the scholarship covering participation in the program, a limited number of grants covering accommodation and transportation costs will be available. We encourage applicants – especially those coming from countries with student and artist mobility programs – to seek additional support through universities, research institutions, NGOs, or other relevant organizations.

Participants should plan to arrive in Sarajevo by July 5. Full attendance throughout the program is required.

The WARM Academy is organized by the WARM Foundation, in partnership with Pro Peace (Bosnia and Herzegovina) and FES-SOE.

WARM ACADEMY APPLICATION 2026

 

Application deadline: March 20, 2026

Results announced: April 10, 2026

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at [email protected] .

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