The Magic Lantern Society is proud to support original work on the magic lantern, lantern slides and optical projection, by offering two annual awards.
The awards are named in memory of Mervyn Heard and Dick Balzer, two internationally respected scholars, collectors and performers noted for their openness to new ideas and new ways of working.
Closing date for both Awards: 6 December 2026
Winners will be announced at the Society’s Annual General Meeting on 23 January 2027.
The Mervyn Heard Award
The 2026 Mervyn Heard Award is to support planned or ongoing work (not yet completed) relating to the magic lantern or lantern slides.
This can be in any form including research, archival work, performance, artwork, animation, film making or creative writing.
There will be two cash awards of £300, plus a book of the winner’s choice from the
Society’s catalogue of available publications.
The Dick Balzer Award
The 2026 Dick Balzer Award is to recognise any work relating to the magic lantern or lantern slides completed
between 1 December 2025 and 6 December 2026.
This can be in any form including research, archival work, performance, artwork, animation, film making or creative writing.
There is no cash award, but the winner will be invited to select a prize from the Society’s catalogue of available publications.