Photography Contest
Belfast Photo Festival: Open Submission 2026
Deadline |
03/02/26Theme |
OpenTerritory |
WorldwideEligibility |
Open to allEntry Fees |
EARLY BIRD £22 / STANDARD £26Prizes |
ExhibitionHost |
Belfast Photo FestivalBelfast Photo Festival hosts an annual, world-leading, popular cultural event at locations citywide. We catalyse local debate, creative development and financial opportunities with a combination of commissions, exhibitions and global arts leadership. "One of the best photography festivals in the world" (Capture Magazine).
We invite photographers of all nations and backgrounds to apply to the Open Submission, to have their work viewed by an international panel of highly influential photography industry experts, with career enhancing opportunities on offer.
Opportunities include exhibition at the largest annual festival of photography in the UK and Ireland, before going on a European tour with significant media exposure and a range of awards including a £2,000 (Approx $2,700 / €2,300) cash prize.
Individuals and/or collectives are welcome to apply to the Photographs Category by entering between 1 and 15 photographs from a particular group series, completed project or body of work in development. To enter the Photo-Book category, add at least one image of your photo book project. This can be the cover, a product shot of the book dummy or some images of the book.
WHAT DO YOU WIN?
ALL SUBMITTING PHOTOGRAPHERS RECEIVE:
Submission review by a diverse jury of industry professionals
Opportunities for project exposure across festival materials, social media channels, website and press campaign
2026 Portfolio Review discount
20 TO 40 FINALIST PHOTOGRAPHERS RECEIVE:
Print production and exposure at our city centre and outdoor galleries for an accessible one month exhibition run of over 100,000 visitors
Permanent publication in the Festival programme, website and marketing materials
Festival representation and promotion in our award winning media and PR campaign with combined reach of 115 million
Participation in our Instagram residency scheme
Dedicated feature on the festival website with full online gallery
Inclusion in the festival issue of Abridged Magazine
Partner exhibition and exposure at the 2027 Photo Schwiez Festival in Switzerland
ADDITIONAL AWARDS AND CASH PRIZES:
Spotlight Award - £2,000 (Approx $2,700 / €2,300) Cash Prize
Abridged Editorial Award with full project feature
We invite photographers of all nations and backgrounds to apply to the Open Submission, to have their work viewed by an international panel of highly influential photography industry experts, with career enhancing opportunities on offer.
Opportunities include exhibition at the largest annual festival of photography in the UK and Ireland, before going on a European tour with significant media exposure and a range of awards including a £2,000 (Approx $2,700 / €2,300) cash prize.
Individuals and/or collectives are welcome to apply to the Photographs Category by entering between 1 and 15 photographs from a particular group series, completed project or body of work in development. To enter the Photo-Book category, add at least one image of your photo book project. This can be the cover, a product shot of the book dummy or some images of the book.
WHAT DO YOU WIN?
ALL SUBMITTING PHOTOGRAPHERS RECEIVE:
Submission review by a diverse jury of industry professionals
Opportunities for project exposure across festival materials, social media channels, website and press campaign
2026 Portfolio Review discount
20 TO 40 FINALIST PHOTOGRAPHERS RECEIVE:
Print production and exposure at our city centre and outdoor galleries for an accessible one month exhibition run of over 100,000 visitors
Permanent publication in the Festival programme, website and marketing materials
Festival representation and promotion in our award winning media and PR campaign with combined reach of 115 million
Participation in our Instagram residency scheme
Dedicated feature on the festival website with full online gallery
Inclusion in the festival issue of Abridged Magazine
Partner exhibition and exposure at the 2027 Photo Schwiez Festival in Switzerland
ADDITIONAL AWARDS AND CASH PRIZES:
Spotlight Award - £2,000 (Approx $2,700 / €2,300) Cash Prize
Abridged Editorial Award with full project feature
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