Once artworks are no longer made for certain people or reserved for the enjoyment of a select few, as happened after the French Revolution, new forms of aesthetic experience become available to everyone in the community. Every individual is promised equality in aesthetic terms—each and every one, anyone at all, without exception. … The subjects, forms, materials and interpreters of works are placed on an equal footing; the consequences of the aesthetic revolution are therefore shattering. … Even if we engage in critique and use elegant theory, what often happens is that before long we are flirting with the enemy and going on picnics together. Shouldn’t we mark out new spaces, leaving room for those who do not yet have the standing to engage in critique—“ordinary people”—to demonstrate their abilities?
—Lu Xinghua, A Study of Rancière’s Aesthetic Thought
To foster the continued production of more and better criticism and research on animation, comics and games (ACG), and exchanges among their critics and researchers, Lab on Roof has decided to continue its ACG call for submissions with a third edition in 2022, titled Rags Drum 2022.
Scope and Format Requirements
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Original analysis, criticism or comparative research on works, creators, histories, industries and other phenomena in video games, animation and comics, approached through philosophy and the social sciences, the humanities and the arts, technology and media, industry and production, or related perspectives. There are no geographical restrictions, and fan-created and derivative works are included. Submissions consisting solely of translations or gameplay guides will not be accepted.
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We recommend following an academic format, providing notes and citations, an abstract, keywords, references, and so forth, but this is not mandatory. Submissions may take the form of articles, video essays or audio recordings. Chinese, English and Japanese submissions are welcome, though Simplified Chinese is recommended. Authors must affirm that their submissions are original, have not been and will not be used for commercial purposes, and that their citation of materials, ideas and so forth complies with academic standards. If plagiarism or misappropriation is discovered, whether before or after selection, the organizers will make the matter public and withdraw any rewards granted.
Schedule and Procedures
To make the call more flexible and enable more critics and researchers to join this festival, there will be two participation tracks:
1. Entering the “Pre-Festival” Only
Eligibility: Previously published original works that have not been used for commercial purposes (commercial use includes, for example, first publication in a commercial outlet that acquires the copyright); unpublished original works that have not been used for commercial purposes.
Submission format: Both categories must be submitted as full texts or completed works.
Schedule:
- May 6: Submissions to the “Pre-Festival” open on the day the event begins.
- August 1: Entry deadline for both tracks.
- August 7: All accepted “Pre-Festival” submissions will be announced, including both “Pre-Festival”-only entries and entries proceeding through the “Pre-Festival” + “Post-Festival.” The “Pre-Festival” ends and the “Post-Festival” begins.
Selection:
During the Pre-Festival, the judging panel will decide whether to accept submissions by simple majority, with an emphasis on originality, depth of thought and critical engagement.
Publication and Payment:
Once the judging panel has reached a decision on a “Pre-Festival”-only submission, the organizers will contact its author as soon as possible with the result. Accepted submissions will be promptly scheduled for publication on Lab on Roof’s accounts across platforms.
The organizers will pay approximately RMB 200–300 for each accepted submission.
2. Entering Both the “Pre-Festival” + “Post-Festival”
Eligibility: Unpublished original works that have not been used for commercial purposes.
Submission format: A 200–500-character abstract may be submitted for the “Pre-Festival”; full texts or completed works are also welcome. For the “Post-Festival,” a full text or completed work is required, and its topic must remain consistent with the “Pre-Festival” submission. Entries and their authors may participate in the “Post-Festival” only if those entries were accepted in the “Pre-Festival.”
Schedule:
- May 6: Submissions to the “Pre-Festival” + “Post-Festival” open on the day the event begins.
- August 1: Entry deadline for both tracks.
- August 7: All accepted “Pre-Festival” submissions will be announced, including both “Pre-Festival”-only entries and entries proceeding through the “Pre-Festival” + “Post-Festival.” The “Pre-Festival” ends and the “Post-Festival” begins. The titles and authors of entries participating in the “Post-Festival” will be announced on Lab on Roof’s accounts across platforms (submissions open).
- October 7: Entry deadline for the “Post-Festival,” the second half of the “Pre-Festival” + “Post-Festival” track.
- Second half of October: All accepted “Post-Festival” submissions will be announced together. The “Post-Festival” ends, bringing the entire event to a close.
Selection:
During the Post-Festival, the judging panel will decide whether to accept submissions by absolute majority, with an emphasis on originality, depth of thought and critical engagement.
Publication and Payment:
For entries in the “Pre-Festival” + “Post-Festival” track, the panel’s selections of accepted “Pre-Festival” and “Post-Festival” submissions will be announced on August 7 and October 7, respectively, in a single announcement for each stage. Accepted submissions will subsequently be published on Lab on Roof’s accounts across platforms.
For the “Pre-Festival” + “Post-Festival” track, when the number of accepted submissions is ≥5, the organizers will pay RMB (10,000 / number of accepted submissions) for each accepted submission. When the number is 0–4, the organizers will pay RMB 2,000 for each accepted submission.
Submission Methods for Both Tracks (Choose Either):
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Email your submission, including your QQ contact details, to lab_on_roof@163.com.
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Join the event’s QQ group, upload your submission to the group’s shared files and notify the organizers (recommended): 103115110.
If exceptional circumstances prevent you from using either method, please send a private message to Lab on Roof’s Zhihu or Bilibili account to discuss an alternative.
Judging Panel
A group of enthusiasts on an equal intellectual and aesthetic footing with our audience! No academic authorities, no “places” for scene bigwigs!
Other Matters
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For accepted “Pre-Festival”-only submissions, Lab on Roof requires only non-exclusive permission to publish the work on its accounts across platforms, with no requirement to publish it first. For accepted submissions in the “Pre-Festival” + “Post-Festival” track, Lab on Roof requires only non-exclusive permission to publish the work first on its accounts across platforms. All rights under copyright not specified here remain with the original author.
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To foster the continued production of more and better ACG criticism and research, and exchanges among their critics and researchers, Lab on Roof may adapt accepted submissions into video essays or other forms. Before doing so, Lab on Roof will notify the author and obtain their consent. The author’s relevant rights in the video essay will be protected under copyright.
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Our thanks to 初鹿野凪 for designing the event posters, and to the critics, researchers, groups and platforms who have offered friendly suggestions and generous help with the event.
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Given our limited experience in organizing events, the organizers reserve the right to interpret and amend the event’s procedures, schedule and other rules to the fullest extent permitted by laws, regulations and platform rules. We ask all critics, researchers and readers to take note and thank you for your understanding.
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We warmly invite all readers, critics and researchers to share this announcement and information about the event, spread the word, join the discussion and submit work!
