Hi and welcome. And excuse me for late answer.
This is usual state for this forum to be dead several months after the end of a contest. Like trees and flowers after cold winter, it will awake and return to life. I assume it will happen in late May or early June.
Currently there is no any work in progress (as I know), even game isn't picked yet. And that's okay too. Traditionally there are 5-6 months between contest end and start of the development of a new one.
Also it's useful for you to know that there was an open beta stage for Ants (long enough: June - October) and participating in it didn't affected one's ability to participate in further stages. So take a look to not miss beta stage of the next challenge if it will have one. Best way is not only to read forum but also to be present in contest irc-channel: (in this months channel has more activity than forum).
As about contests like this. I have few links that look nice but a) I've never competing them and b) they are a lot less popular. Here are they:
But I advice you to gather strength for the next aichallenge instead
Feel free to ask more if you have further questions.