About Call

Welcome to the third interim edition of KLPA's AUTOPORTRAIT 2026 Open Call. This edition KLPA is collaborating with FORMAT International Photography Festival, integrating their FORMAT27 festival theme PLAY into this exciting open call. 

From its first inception, the essence of photography has centred on experimentation, trial and error, and exploration of something unknown; the desire to record the world around us in a way that is as close to reality as the eye can see. From Niépce’s first image to the Albumen print, photogram, cyanotype and collage, the very creation of the photographic medium and its continued evolution has been developed through the act of PLAY – experimentation as play. 

Self-portraiture, in essence is always based on experimentation, trial and error and a degree of creative playfulness. PLAY is at the heart of the creative process, no matter the subject or idea; the act of exploration is what fuels us. PLAY can be thought of as fun, joyful, intriguing, exploratory, experimental, challenging, deceitful, mischievous, imaginative, curious, provocative, inventive, spontaneous, subversive, engaging or perhaps rule-bending. Camera play, playing with and questioning the medium of photography itself, documenting the act of play, playing with the development of new technology, play as sport, playing with the truth or reality, the politics of play and the significance of the freedom of play being taken away are just some of the ways this broad theme could be interpreted.

Winners and finalists will be exhibited by projection/special screening as part of the FORMAT27 festival in Derby, United Kingdom from 11 March to 11 April 2027.

Prizes

Open to international photographers at all levels​​​

• 1st Prize Euro €1,000.00
• 2nd Prize Euro €500.00
• 3rd Prize Euro €300.00
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The Top 35 entries will have their portraits screened at the FORMAT27 festival in Derby, United Kingdom and at KLPA exhibitions and other partner festivals, including a global reach through social media channels.

Entry

ENTRY FEES​

• 1 image Euro €12.00
• 2 images Euro €25.00
• 3 - 6 images Euro €45.00
• 7 - 10 images Euro €65.00

STUDENT ENTRANTS
Full-time enrolled students under 25 years: Submit 1 image for free to be entered. Proof of enrolment by student ID card or establishment letter is required to be uploaded. during the submission process.

About KLPA

The Kuala Lumpur Photoawards [KLPA] is an independent annual global portrait photography prize seeking the very best and fresh entries from international photographers of all levels. Initiated in 2009 by Steven Lee, its director, KLPA is recognised as an important and vital award in the photography calendar, supporting and rewarding contemporary portraiture practice, especially in the South East Asian region.