Re-Imagine, Now! Call for contributions for MAF nº1

About the Open Call

MAF Journal is a project born from the Mafambane Collective, aiming to discuss narratives of migrations, resistances, and decolonizations through artistic creation, under visual, sonic, and poetic perspectives. It stands at the intersection between different geographies, knowledges, and linguistic realities, questioning borders and hierarchies of artistic and social imagination. It is a space for experimentation and debate, promoting critical thinking and discussing collective forms and methods. Artistic creations are understood in their wider sense (in, out, and beyond institutions, practices, geographies, and temporalities), as a path and a shared practice that can open breaches and offer critical possibilities. For this first issue, titled "Re-Imagine, Now!", we invite contributions that address questions such as: - What are the listening forms, compassion, and encounters that the arts can provide to resist contemporary struggles? - How can artistic practices create imaginary spaces to portray plurality and new possibilities of collectiveness? - How can movement and border-crossing, allied to the arts, be an answer to growing political and intellectual calls to closeness, repression, and fear? - How can we open breaches and stretch the surface of our societies through arts and culture? Is it possible to address contemporary brutality through arts and culture, without reproducing violence? We are a multilingual journal, welcoming contributions in English, Portuguese, French, Spanish, or Italian, or any other languages (African and non-European languages are especially welcome) given a translation in one of the above-mentioned languages is provided. Both textual (poetry, short story, essays), visual, and hybrid contributions are welcome. Our publication will have an ISBN code.

What is Offered

Publication in the first issue of MAF Journal, which will have an ISBN code.

Requirements

Contributions in English, Portuguese, French, Spanish, or Italian, or any other languages (African and non-European languages are especially welcome), provided a translation into one of the mentioned languages is supplied. Both textual (poetry, short story, essays), visual, and hybrid contributions are welcome. Proposals must include abstracts or ideas for poems/visual contributions and a short bio (maximum 150 words).

How to Apply

Send your proposals (abstracts, ideas for poems or visual contributions) and a short bio (maximum 150 words) to mafambanecollective@gmail.com. The deadline for proposals is October 31, 2025. Notifications of acceptance will be sent out by the first week of November. Full contributions are to be delivered by December 15, 2025.