Magic Lantern Society Awards

About the Open Call

The Magic Lantern Society proudly supports original work on the magic lantern, lantern slides, and optical projection through two annual awards named in memory of Mervyn Heard and Dick Balzer. The Mervyn Heard Award supports planned or ongoing work (not yet completed) relating to the magic lantern or lantern slides. This can be in any form including research, archival work, performance, artwork, animation, film making or creative writing. It offers two cash awards of £300, plus a book of the winner’s choice from the Society’s catalogue. The Dick Balzer Award recognizes work relating to the magic lantern or lantern slides completed between 1 December 2024 and 7 December 2025. This can also be in any form including research, archival work, performance, artwork, animation, film making or creative writing. This award offers a prize selection from the Society’s catalogue of available publications, with no cash award. Winners for both awards will be announced at the Society’s Annual General Meeting on 24 January 2026.

What is Offered

The Mervyn Heard Award provides two cash awards of £300 and a book from the Society's catalogue. The Dick Balzer Award offers a prize selection from the Society’s catalogue of available publications.

Requirements

For the Mervyn Heard Award: planned or ongoing work (not yet completed) relating to the magic lantern or lantern slides. For the Dick Balzer Award: work relating to the magic lantern or lantern slides completed between 1 December 2024 and 7 December 2025. Both can be in any form including research, archival work, performance, artwork, animation, film making or creative writing.

How to Apply

Refer to the specific application details and instructions provided for the Mervyn Heard Award and Dick Balzer Award on the Magic Lantern Society website.