[Closed] AFCC 2026 Call For Papers

Update: Submissions have closed for the AFCC 2026 Call for Papers.

Theme – The Worlds We Make

The Asian Festival of Children’s Content (AFCC) 2026 embraces the theme of “The Worlds We Make.”

Description

Children's literature is more vital than ever–both a mirror and a map, reflecting our diverse realities while guiding young readers to find their place in a fast-changing world, and empowering them to create the future they want. The landscape of literature is shifting, expanding to new voices and adapting to new technologies. The Worlds We Make invites us to investigate how stories can be powerful drivers of action, and our role as creators of children’s content in the futures we build, the communities we imagine, and the changes we hope to make.

Empower your learning and creative journey, and experience the world of Asian kidlit at AFCC 2026!

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Programme Tracks

We invite you to submit a proposal for consideration, to be presented at AFCC 2026 through either the Conference or Public Programme categories.

Conference programmes are industry-focused sessions presented along three main tracks: Writers and Illustrators; Teachers and Parents; and Cross-Platform. They are mainly targeted at children’s book creators, including writers, illustrators, translators, publishers, editors; educators, academics, librarians and parents; and producers and professionals working in the children’s media and technology industry.

Public programmes are sessions that aim to bring children’s books and stories to members of the public in fun and approachable ways. The sessions can be targeted at young children and/or families; teenagers, and grandparents.

Programme Tracks for Conference

WRITERS AND ILLUSTRATORS

This track focuses on the creation and development of literary content; translation of different language books; market trends; and industry practices in the children’s books industry. The topics would highlight literature and works from Southeast Asia and Asia for children and young adults.

TEACHERS AND PARENTS

This track focuses on cultivating the love for reading, as well as supporting language and literacy development in children from early childhood to teenagers. The topics would highlight strategies for encouraging children to read, utilisation of literary resources in the learning environment and acquisition of language and literacy skills.

CROSS-PLATFORM

This track focuses on transmedia storytelling, adaption of content across platforms, edu-tech and the use of technology in content creation. The topics could explore current technological trends (such as AR/VR or A.I.), digital storytelling and gamification.

Programme Formats

We welcome presentations, panel discussions, and in particular workshops that will actively engage the participants. The festival will be primarily in-person. However, we are open to virtual formats if the proposal suits our programming considerations and requirements.

Proposals for programmes that are conducted in Chinese, Malay or Tamil will be given priority in the review process. Proposals should be aligned with the festival theme, “The Worlds We Make”. For the conference, we are particularly looking for proposals that tackle our areas of focus topics (see section 2.).

The available programme formats for the conference are:

A presentation or talk (60-min duration, inclusive of 15 minutes for Q&A with audience)
- Consists of one or two speakers who will speak on a particular topic. A moderator will then facilitate questions to the speaker(s) and with the audience.
A workshop (90 to 120-min duration, inclusive of 15 mins for Q&A with audience)
- A highly interactive session, with one to two facilitators. The session usually includes hands-on activities or practical exercises for audience participation and engagement.
A panel discussion (75-min duration, inclusive of 15 mins for Q&A with audience)
- A session with two to three speakers, and a moderator who will lead a group discussion with the panellists and facilitate the Q&A session.

The available programme formats for the public programmes are:

Storytelling session (45-min duration)
- A storytelling by an author or otherwise, preferably with interactive activities incorporated. Generally targeted at younger children.
Performance (drama/dance) (45-min duration)
- A dance, musical or theatrical performance adapted from or inspired by children’s books/stories.
A workshop (90-min duration)
- A highly interactive session, with one to two facilitators, to engage children and/or parents in the craft of writing or general reading. The session can include hands-on activities or practical exercises for audience participation and engagement.

Call for Paper Topics

Preference will be given to proposals that discuss the following topics below. We are also interested in proposals for programmes conducted in Chinese, Malay, Tamil or bilingual (Mother Tongue and English).

Proposals should address how literature, books or stories for children and/or young adults are utilised, or play a role in the discourse of the focus area topics, preferably in relation to the festival theme.

Areas of Focus

Building and visualising worlds
- Exploring how we create and impart real and imagined worlds through books, whether fiction, non-fiction, or some other form of storytelling craft
- The art of worldbuilding for writers and illustrators, including understanding illustration techniques/styles and the act of visual storytelling
- How books allow us to speculate alternate ways of living and reflect on our own
- How fiction, non-fiction, and new media help young readers envision and prepare for their future(s): technological, environmental, and social

Science Fiction and Fantasy
- Exploring the rise of science fiction, fantasy, dystopia, horror, and other speculative genres within Singaporean and global literary scenes, and how these genres help young readers explore their cultures and societies
- The craft of writing science fiction and fantasy for children

Redefining reading and creating
- How new and emerging genres and formats speak to our times and the way that kids read, including webtoons/webcomics, manhwa, comics/graphic novels, video games, etc
- The impact of social media (e.g. BookTok) and AI on reading and creating
- Craft workshops and discussions for creators in unique storytelling forms
- Industry programmes about the current concerns, shifts, trends, and possible projections in the literary scene (including for illustrators, translators, editors, booksellers, etc)

The social role of stories
- How literature across different formats represents diverse experiences and builds inclusive communities that help young learners understand identity and their role in social change
- Exploring diversity, representation, and authenticity
- How narratives and shared experiences across classrooms, libraries, and communities, empower young people to become positive changemakers

Intergenerational connections
- Fostering connections between different generations through books/stories, exploring how ideas of the world have been passed down or changed
- Demonstrating how to bridge the generational gap to allow for grandparents/seniors to play active roles in developing young readers and learners

Translation
- The role of translation in bridging cultures and expanding our awareness of the world
- Translation bringing cross-cultural experiences to young readers
- Cultural nuances in translation
- Experimentation in creative translation approaches/methods

Adaptation
- Adaptations to and from books and the transformations involved
- How adaptations extend the reach of stories and expand our understanding of storytelling across genres
- Explorations of the adaptation journey (knowing content potentiality for audience market appeal, different forms of IP expansion) and content market and trends
- Updates on developments in the media content industry and synergies between the publishing and media industries

Submission

Each applicant may submit up to a maximum of two (2) programme proposals for consideration. To submit, please complete the AFCC 2026 Call for Paper online submission form by 17 October 2025 (23:59, GMT+8).

The online submission form can be accessed at afcccfp26.paperform.co.

The organisers reserve the right to reject any applicants who do not comply with the submission guidelines and/or provide incomplete submission(s).

Review & Selection

All submissions will be assessed by the respective programming track committee. The committee will select the papers based on their assessment of the proposal content and its relevance to the festival.

For Successful Applicants

Successful applicants will be notified of their application status from December 2025. They will receive a complimentary full Festival pass, which includes admission to conference sessions during the event.

Please note that applicants selected through the Call for Papers do not receive a speaker’s honorarium. Travel and accommodation for successful applicants based outside of Singapore will not be covered by AFCC.

Confirmed presenters will be asked to submit a draft of their presentation, including the talking points and PowerPoint presentation file at least one (1) month prior to the start of AFCC. Presenters are encouraged to include interactive elements in their presentation (where possible), and to prepare notes or handouts for attendees.

Please note that the organisers may use applicants’ paper in parts or in full for marketing and publicity purposes for AFCC, either in printed or online versions.

Enquiries

For enquiries, please contact programmes@bookcouncil.sg

About the Asian Festival of Children’s Content (AFCC)

AFCC is the leading festival in Asia focusing on children’s books and stories and young adult (YA) fiction. Targeted at writers, illustrators, translators, publishers, parents, educators and media producers, this unique festival offers a series of exciting panel discussions, workshops, author talks, masterclasses, pitching sessions, and networking events. AFCC promotes the creation and appreciation of quality children’s literature and YA with a focus on Asian themes.

Since its establishment in 2010, AFCC has grown to become a key literary event in the region, attracting many local and international speakers, as well as thousands of delegates and participants, providing an opportunity for academics, writers, illustrators, editors, publishers, agents, distributors, parents, teachers, and librarians to meet, learn, hone their craft, and develop cross-cultural collaborations.

The 17th edition of AFCC will take place from 21 – 24 May 2026.

View the AFCC 2025 highlights video here.