Creative Opportunities
This page is dedicated to sharing creative opportunities both here at Exeter Phoenix and from other creative projects and organisations in the region.
Current Opportunities
Cinema Rediscovered 2026: Pitch to Park Circus
Deadline: Mon 25 May, midnight
Park Circus is teaming up once again with Cinema Rediscovered to invite you to pitch a 4 - 5 repertory film season idea curated from their catalogue for 2027.
Three proposals will be selected by Park Circus and Cinema Rediscovered teams, with successful applicants notified by Mon 22 Jun 2026 and invited to present their idea to a panel of exhibition industry professionals at Cinema Rediscovered at Watershed in Bristol on Thu 23 Jul 2026.
The winners’ season will become a collection in the Park Circus catalogue with an article on the website and a page in their quarterly Booking guide for Programmers with full credit mentions.
The winner will also receive promotional support via Cinema Rediscovered channels, plus a pass and a travel bursary of up to £500 to attend next year’s edition of the festival.
Edinburgh Previews Callout
Are you a local creative looking to preview your work before Edinburgh Fringe?
Come and perform your work at Exeter Phoenix in our Workshop space this June or July. Test your work in front of a live audience, whether that be a work-in-progress performance or a fully realised piece.
Shows must be technically self-sufficient.
Box office split in favour of the artist/company.
If you’re interested in performing your show or have any questions please email our performance programmer Katy - katy.danbury@exeterphoenix.org.uk
BFI Director Lab in in partnership with Bournemouth Film School
Application deadline Fri 22 May at 5pm
Applications are now open for the ever-popular Director Lab. Across the weekend of 19 & 20 Jun up to six south west-based directors will have tutor-led workshops, time with professional actors and the chance to direct a scripted scene on a specially-made film set. If you’re a director with some scripted experience who wants to develop your skills in directing actors this opportunity is for you!
Participants will...
- Take part in two days of in-person masterclasses, led by Em Smith
- Workshop with professional actors
- Stay overnight in Bournemouth from Fri 19 and Sat 20 Jun (lunch and reasonable travel provided)
- Shoot a pre-written scene on a bespoke film set with the support of BFS crew
Applicants must be based in the south west of England, aged over 18 and not in full-time education.
Exeter Contemporary Open 2026
Deadline: 11.59pm, Sun 07 Jun 2026
Exeter Contemporary Open is an annual open submission exhibition, established in 2006 and hosted by Exeter Phoenix, a busy, multi-artform venue and contemporary art space situated in Exeter’s historic city centre. The exhibition aims to provide an important national platform for contemporary visual art with an emphasis on supporting emerging talent alongside more established artists.
The exhibition will run from 11 September – 31 October 2026 and is open to contemporary visual artists working in any media including painting, sculpture, photography, print, drawing, video, mixed and digital media. It will be staged across Exeter Phoenix’s two beautiful gallery spaces located either side of the main entrance foyer.
Exeter Northcott Scratch Night in collaboration with Exeter Phoenix (Elevate Festival)
Applications close 10am, Mon 28 Sep
Exeter Northcott Scratch Night in collaboration with Exeter Phoenix offers South-West based artists in need of an audience a chance to stretch their ideas and the opportunity to test their work in the Clifford Room at the Barnfield Theatre, along with £150 to help develop their idea and a small amount of rehearsal space before the Scratch Night.
This Scratch Night will be taking place at Barnfield Theatre during Elevate Festival on Mon 02 Nov, 7pm - 9pm.
Two Short Nights Film Festival 2027: Short Film Submissions
Submissions are now open for Two Short Nights Film Festival 2027 for short films from every genre including drama, animation, documentary, artists moving image, experimental and music videos.
The 25th edition of Two Short Nights Film Festival will take place at Exeter Phoenix on Thu 04 Mar and Fri 05 Mar 2027.
Submission Deadlines and Fees:
- Early Bird Deadline: Sun 31 May (£6)
- Regular Deadline: Fri 31 Jul (£9)
- Late Deadline: Mon 31 Aug (£12)
- Extended Deadline: Wed 30 Sep (£17)
Two Short Nights Film Festival 2027: Pre-Selection Panel
Exeter Phoenix’s Two Short Nights Film Festival is looking for volunteers to take part in its pre-selection panel for Two Short Nights 2027.
Two Short Nights is proud to show the best international short films alongside incredible local filmmaking talent, so whatever your cinematic taste there will be something for you.
Pre-selectors will help to shape our programme for the 25th edition of Two Short Nights by reviewing a selection of short film entries online. Films are reviewed and rated online allowing pre-selectors to watch films at a time and place that suits them.
Our submissions can be of any genre and are no longer than 20 mins in length. No experience is necessary but we would value applications from individuals with an interest in filmmaking, curation and critiquing.
This is a volunteer role. As a member of our preselection panel you’ll receive:
- A Two Short Nights Festival pass
- Access to further festival opportunities
- Experience using FilmFreeway
- Knowledge of film festival curation and programming.
If you are interested then you can please fill in our application form and equal opportunities monitoring form by Wed 01 Jul.
Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form
For more details contact digital@exeterphoenix.org.uk.
Ongoing Opportunities
Creative Hub Publication
Looking for creative opportunities in the South West? Our Creative Hub publication shares monthly updates on all things creative in Exeter.
Commissions
Every year Exeter Phoenix commissions new work, primarily from artists, filmmakers and theatre makers based in the South West region.
Little Scratch Night
What comes before Scratch? The itch, of course!
Little Scratch is an informal, safe and nurturing space for local creatives to not only talk through their ideas, but to connect with fellow creatives about the kind of work they want to create, on a monthly basis.
Exhibiting Opportunities
Gallery333 is a dedicated space to exhibit small, contemporary art installations. It is an intimate ‘window’ gallery space with a secure glass door situated in a busy location within the building. Dimensions are 125cm high x 74cm wide x 36cm deep.
NEW BAND SHOWCASE
New Band Showcase is a regular opportunity for emerging musicians to perform on the big stage at Exeter Phoenix! We are a proud supporter of new talent and accept applications to perform at future New Band Showcases on an ongoing basis. Please email us with a link to listen to your work.
Join Our Team Of Volunteer Stewards
None of the day to day activity at Exeter Phoenix could be accomplished without our passionate team of volunteers and staff to make it happen. We’re always looking for new people to get involved.