Manchester International Festival (MIF) and Super Slow Way have commissioned two-time Academy Award-winning filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy to create a brand new immersive installation especially for MIF17, which takes place this summer. Using interactive mixed-media, including photography, sound design, film and 360° video, HOME1947 reflects on the experiences of people who left their homes during the Partition of British India in 1947, the largest mass migration ever witnessed. HOME1947 will premiere at The Lowry in Salford from Sat 1 to Sun 9 July 2017.

MIF invite you to respond to the themes of HOME1947 by creating a photograph or short film exploring what the word ‘home’ means to you. Your entry may focus on stories, memories, emotions, journeys, traditions or objects that resonate with the idea of home, perhaps following themes of migration, conflict and loss relating to the same concept. The winning entries will be showcased alongside the world premiere of HOME1947 during MIF17. The two competition winners will be invited to Manchester to see the public premiere of their work during the first weekend of MIF17 (Fri 30 June – Sun 2 July). MIF will cover travel cost (from within the UK only), accommodation and subsistence costs for you and a guest, plus two tickets to an MIF17 show of your choice*. You’ll have a chance to meet with Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy and her team*, and will also receive a £200 voucher to spend on new film or photography equipment. In addition to the work of the two winners, they will also showcase selected runners-up on a range of media platforms during MIF17.

This is an open competition, and anyone of any age can enter.  They're looking for work that’s dynamic, engaging, evocative and original. You don’t need advanced digital skills to enter the competition. 

More information can be found here.

Photo: Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy in Karachi, Pakistan, January 2017 © Nadir Siddiqui