Building Democracy

For the fourteenth edition of the international open-air film festival in the courtyard of the Architekturzentrum Wien in the summer of 2026, we are looking for documentary, short, and experimental films as well as animations on the subject of “Building Democracy.”

Autocracies and right-wing populism are gaining influence worldwide. Even countries with a long tradition of democracy are realizing that ideals alone are no longer enough to win elections. Trust in democratic institutions and political systems is crumbling. The consequences are evident in the weakening of the rule of law, the spread of disinformation, and increasing divisions within society.

Democracy is not a static state—it must be lived, negotiated, and defended. Which spaces enable participation? What role does public space play as a place of politics? What do non-hierarchical architectures and egalitarian spaces look like in which citizens can meet each other, and which built power structures prevent this from happening? Do democratic spaces in rural areas differ from those in cities?

There is hardly any place where democratic structures can be experienced as tangibly as in the city, where people live and reside. While cities continue to capitalize (keyword: “concrete gold”), racially charged security debates shape our everyday lives. This makes architecture and urban planning all the more important: How can planning processes be democratized? How can spaces be created that serve the common good? And what responsibility do architecture and urban planning bear in the creation of democratic spaces?

We invite filmmakers to submit documentaries, short films, animated films, and archival material on the subject that highlight forward-looking examples of successful practices and offer critical perspectives on historical and contemporary developments. The aim of the festival is to stimulate a lively discourse.

A collaboration between wonderland – platform for european architecture, and the MuseumsQuartier Wien.

Submissions to: benz@azw.at

Submission deadline: 19.01.2026 (23:59)

Submission documents:

• Completed submission form
• Film (format compatible with VLC player) via private preview link or online transfer platform (wetransfer, etc.)