Backlight Photo Festival 2026 -- Terms & Conditions (for Picter Open Call)

Organized by Photographic Centre Nykyaika

Backlight Photo Festival 2026 is organized by Photographic Centre Nykyaika, a non-profit organization in Tampere, Finland. The Festival will take place in September--October 2026.

By submitting your work, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to the following Terms and Conditions.

1. Eligibility & Submissions

1.1 The Open Call is open to photographers and artists working with lens-based media worldwide. 1.2 Individual artists, duos, and collectives may apply. All applicants must be at least 18 years old. 1.3 Eligible works include photographic, video, and other lens-based media. 1.4 The theme for Backlight 2026 is The Art of Lying. 1.5 The submission fee is 20 €, non-refundable. 1.6 The Open Call submission period is 8 January -- 15 February 2026. 1.7 Applicants confirm that all submitted information is accurate and complete.

1.8 AI-Generated or AI-Assisted Images

AI-generated or AI-assisted works are accepted, but the use of AI must be clearly stated in the submission.

2. Judging and Curatorial Process

2.1 All judging takes place online via Picter. 2.2 Selected artists will be contacted in March 2026. 2.3 After confirmation, curators and artists collaboratively determine the final selection and exhibition presentation. 2.4 Results will be announced publicly in spring 2026. 2.5 Jury decisions are final and non-appealable. 2.6 The Organizer reserves the right to reject any submission without discussion or refund. 2.7 The Organizer may additionally invite artists outside the Open Call and collaborate with partners.

3. Organizer's Responsibilities During the Festival

3.1 Financial Responsibilities

The Organizer will:

-- provide an artist fee of 500 € to each participating artist; -- specify any possible additional fees, production support, accommodation or travel support in a separate agreement, depending on the Festival's budget; -- produce the exhibition works within the financial limits of the Festival's budget; -- apply for additional funding to support travel and accommodation when relevant, noting that such support depends on receiving positive funding decisions; -- cover transportation costs of artworks only when explicitly agreed; -- cover production costs for exhibition prints when applicable; -- not assume responsibility for any other costs incurred by the artist unless agreed in writing.

3.2 Exhibition Production

The Organizer will:

-- provide overall project management; -- support technical, spatial, and installation requirements in collaboration with venues; -- finalize the installation plan together with the curators; -- retain the right to decide the final number, scale, and presentation of exhibited works; -- organize opening events and marketing activities; -- document the exhibition in photo and video and use such documentation online without additional approval or compensation; -- ensure the Artist is credited whenever their work is used; -- allow photography for documentation, press, and promotional use; -- use best efforts to present the artworks professionally.

3.3 Right to Modify Exhibition Plans

The Organizer reserves the right to modify, reduce, or adjust the exhibition plan---including the number, scale, and form of works---if required by budget constraints, venue limitations, safety concerns, or other circumstances beyond the Organizer's control.

4. Liability, Insurance & Handling of Works

4.1 Insurance for Loaned Works

If the works are on loan from the Artist, the Organiser will provide insurance coverage for the artworks during the exhibition period**.**

4.2 Handling of Festival-Produced Works After the Exhibition

Works produced by the Festival will not be returned or shipped to the Artist unless the Artist covers the shipping costs in advance. If no return shipment is arranged, such works will be destroyed three (3) months after the end of the Festival**.**

4.3 Limitation of Liability

The Organiser is not responsible for: -- technical failures related to submission platforms; -- telecommunications or server errors; -- software issues or user errors; -- disruptions, changes, or cancellations of the Open Call.

4.4 Governing Law

This Agreement is governed by Finnish law. Any dispute arising from this Agreement will be solved in the first instance through negotiations. Otherwise, the dispute shall be solved at the District Court of Tampere, Finland.

5. Copyright & Usage Rights

5.1 The Artist affirms full ownership of copyright and all intellectual property rights for the submitted works. 5.2 The Artist guarantees that the works do not infringe any third-party rights. 5.3 The Artist grants the Organizer the right to reproduce the works solely for the purpose of producing exhibition prints. 5.4 Backlight Photo Festival and its sponsors/funders/partners may use the selected works---always with credit---for non-commercial Festival-related communication, including: -- promotional materials (print and digital), -- press and media outreach, -- websites and social media, -- publications related to the Festival.

The Organizer has the right to use the selected images for all Festival-related marketing and communication purposes, both online and in print, with proper credit to the Artist.

6. Privacy Policy

Picter: https://www.picter.com/terms-policies/privacy/ Backlight Photo Festival / Nykyaika: https://valokuvakeskusnykyaika.fi/en/tietosuojakaytanto/

7. Conditions Accepted Upon Submission

By submitting to this Open Call, the Artist agrees that:

• high-resolution production files will be supplied at no cost;
• press images will be provided and may be used indefinitely for PR and marketing relating to the Festival;
• the Artist may appear in Festival promotional materials;
• selected artists will be announced on the Festival's and Picter's channels and contacted via email;
• the Organizer may use the applicant's email address for communication related to the Festival.