Illuminated Lies call for stories

Do you have an illuminating story about disinformation or Fake News that you feel could benefit others?

Introduction

Creative production company, Medea, invites you to share your true experiences, stories, memories or anecdotes that relate to disinformation, for a collaborative public work that will be presented as part of Edinburgh Fringe 2024.

Misinformation is becoming one of the biggest issues of our time but we believe that listening to another person's story is to open oneself to a deeper understanding of the human experience. By listening we put ourselves in someone else's shoes and we gain a perspective we would not otherwise have access to. When we listen to one another the lived reality of those affected by certain policies, ideas or rhetoric are exposed. This helps us to understand the human impact and consequences of our daily choices and actions. It challenges us to examine the reasons behind our decision making.

Together we become illuminated. 

The Open Call Theme

We are seeking stories from people whose experiences of disinformation, fake news or misinformed beliefs, have profoundly affected their lives. From the micro to the macro we seek to present stories that highlight how the impacts of the lies that we live with reverberate far beyond the most immediate and obvious consequences.  

Have the misinformed beliefs of others impacted your life?
Do you have a personal anecdote that illustrates the impact of disinformation?
Have you fallen for Fake News and had to pay the price later?
What consequences have you experienced or witnessed due to the propaganda you were directly exposed to? 
Have beliefs you took for granted get turned upside down after discovering new information? 
Have differing interpretations of information affected your relationships with friends or family? 
Have you witnessed first hand how ill-advised ideas have affected your community? 
Can you remember a moment where the interpretation of truth played a factor? 

If so please share your story, experience, anecdote, observation or memory via the submission form.

How will the stories be presented?

The experiences will be presented through free public immersive art installations involving projections, sound and interactive performance. Each story will be accompanied by a visual interpretation. 

Essential information

Anyone from anywhere with an experience to share can do so. 
The only requirement is that the story must be true.
Where names are sensitive, substitute names can be used. 
The call is international but we are particularly interested in submissions where the experience relates to the UK, and Edinburgh in particular.
You do not need to be a professional writer, actor, artist, filmmaker or storyteller to share your story. (But if you are, that's also ok!)
Each story should be no longer than seven minutes to retell aurally. (Around 900 words) 
You must own the copyright and have the ability to give permission for its use of all material.
The intellectual property of the story belongs to the submitter. 
There is no fee paid, nor required, to take part in this project.

Dates

Open Call dates: 1st April - 5th June at Midnight
Selection Process: 5th June - 10th June
Selections notified: 10th June
If you have not been notified by this date then your story has not been selected at this time. 
Recording of stories: 10th - 21st June
Illuminated Lies at Edinburgh Fringe: 17th-25th August 2024