OPEN FOR ENTRIES!

Belfast 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
• 2025 Portfolio Review discount

20 TO 40 FINALIST PHOTOGRAPHERS RECEIVE:

• Large format print exhibition (Produced by Belfast Photo Festival) in June 2025 at city centre locations receiving over 100,000+ visitors
• Publication in the printed festival programme, website and marketing materials
• Partner exhibition and exposure at the 2026 Photo Schwiez Festival in Switzerland
• Festival representation and promotion in our award winning media and PR campaign. In 2024 we had a combined reach of 115 million including multiple features in the Guardian, Creative Review, Irish Times and more
• Participation in our Instagram residency scheme
• Dedicated feature on the festival website with full online gallery
• Inclusion in the festival issue of Abridged Magazine

Applicants will have their work viewed by an international panel of highly influential experts in the field of photography, plus have the opportunity to win awards and a significant cash prize.

ADDITIONAL AWARDS AND CASH PRIZES:

Spotlight Award - £2,000 (Approx $2,700 / €2,400) Cash Prize

Spotlight Interview - with representatives from world leading photographic institutions (e.g. TATE, MoMA, TIME, Pompidou, Aperture)

1 Year Royal Photographic Society Membership

Abridged Editorial Award - with full project feature

Aesthetica Editorial Award - with editorial presentation in the digital issue of Aesthetica international art and culture magazine

COMPETITION DESCRIPTION

Described as "One of the best photography festivals in the world" (Capture Magazine), the annual Belfast Photo Festival represents the largest annual festival of photography in the UK and Ireland, providing the perfect platform for those looking for new or additional exposure to both international and industry audiences. 

Our open theme is to reduce barriers and restrictions. Submissions must be photographic or lens-based but can include combinations with other art forms such as performance, painting, sculpture, music, literature and more. 

HOW TO ENTER

Individuals and/or collectives can 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.

Multiple Photographic Projects or Photo-Books can be submitted with additional entries, click 'Add Another Project'.

Only pay once all your projects are uploaded.