Mehfil Open Call 2026 for South Asian Writers, Artists & Photographers [Publication Opportunity]: Submit by Email

Mehfil is inviting writers, artists, photographers, storytellers and other creatives from the South Asian diaspora to contribute work on the theme “Relationships and Culture.”

Selected submissions may be shared through Mehfil’s monthly newsletter or social-media feed. The platform may also retain suitable work for possible future publication.

Deadline: Not specified. This is Mehfil’s final submission call for 2026.

Contact Mehfil at itsourmehfil@gmail.com to request the submission guidelines.

Mehfil Open Call 2026: Highlights

• Platform: Mehfil
• Opportunity: Open call for contributors
• Target group: South Asian diaspora writers, artists, photographers and storytellers
• Theme: Relationships and Culture
• Accepted work: Stories, articles, essays, poetry, art, photo essays and reflections
• Experience required: Not specified
• Publication: Selected work may appear in Mehfil’s newsletter or social-media feed
• Payment: Unpaid
• Submission mode: Email or direct message
• Deadline: Not specified
• Contact: itsourmehfil@gmail.com

About Mehfil

Mehfil describes itself as an independent, community-focused space for members of the South Asian diaspora to tell their own stories and share creative work.

The platform seeks contributions rooted in South Asian culture and told from the contributor’s own perspective.

Theme: Relationships and Culture

The open call explores relationships that shape people, communities and cultural practices.

Possible subjects include:

• Family and intergenerational relationships
• Friendship and community
• Migration and diaspora
• Cultural practices that survived migration
• Art forms used to document history and identity
• The experience of pursuing art in a South Asian family
• Objects, customs or traditions that people are learning to name
• Relationships with language, food, clothing or place
• Changing ideas of home and belonging
• Cultural expectations and personal identity
• Other stories rooted in South Asian culture

These examples are intended as starting points. Contributors may propose another interpretation connected with the theme.

What Can You Submit?

Mehfil welcomes:

• Personal stories
• Articles
• Essays
• Poetry
• Visual art
• Photography and photo essays
• Reflections
• Other creative or cultural work

Word limits, file formats, image specifications and the maximum number of submissions have not been publicly stated. Contributors must first contact Mehfil to receive the detailed guidelines.

Who Can Submit?

The call is intended for members of the South Asian diaspora, including:

• Writers
• Artists
• Photographers
• Storytellers
• Researchers and cultural commentators
• New or emerging contributors
• Other creative practitioners

Specific age, nationality, country-of-residence and experience requirements have not been stated.

How the Submission Process Works

1. Contact Mehfil through email or direct message.
2. Mehfil will share its submission guidelines.
3. Prepare and send your work according to those guidelines.
4. The editorial team will review the submission.
5. Selected work may be queued for the monthly newsletter or social-media feed.
6. Other suitable submissions may be archived for future consideration.

A submission being archived does not guarantee that it will be published later.

Payment and Publication

This is not a paid opportunity. Mehfil states that it is self-funded and independently operated and therefore cannot currently pay contributors.

Selected contributors may receive:

• A platform for their creative work
• Publication in Mehfil’s newsletter or feed
• An opportunity to reach a community interested in South Asian diaspora stories

Bylines, copyright, editing permissions and reuse conditions have not been specified. Contributors should confirm these points before agreeing to publication.

How to Submit?

1. Email itsourmehfil@gmail.com.
2. Introduce yourself and mention the type of work you want to submit.
3. Request the current contributor guidelines.
4. Read the guidelines before sending the complete work.
5. Submit the work in the required format.
6. Include your name, a short biography and relevant links if requested.
7. Wait for the editorial review.

A suitable email subject could be:

Submission Enquiry—Relationships and Culture—[Your Name]

Important Information

• The opportunity is unpaid.
• Publication is not guaranteed.
• Work may be published now or archived for future consideration.
• Contributors should request the guidelines before sending large attachments.
• Rights, editing and publication terms should be confirmed before final acceptance.
• No closing date has been announced.

Deadline

Not specified in the information available.

As this is Mehfil’s final submission call for the year, interested contributors should make contact while the call remains active.

Submission Link

Click here to email Mehfil and request the submission guidelines.