About the festival

Copenhagen Photo Festival 2025 is showcasing an artistically and conceptually ambitious programme that celebrates creativity and experimentation within photography and lens-based art, and aims to build bridges between fine art and documentary photography.

The festival takes place in the center of Copenhagen as well as at collaborating galleries, museums and cultural institutions in Copenhagen and southern Sweden. Throughout the festival, photography is on the agenda through exhibitions, networking programs, workshops, talks, photobook market and more. In 2025 we will have more focus on exhibitions in the public space of Copenhagen.

The open call

The open call is for artists and photographers who want to break new ground and challenge the idea of what photography is and can be, now and in the future. The winners of the open call will get the opportunity to present a solo exhibition at Copenhagen Photo Festival 2025.

Copenhagen Photo Festival’s featured solo exhibitions aims to expand the boundaries of exhibiting photography and focus on sustainable development, not least in relation to the specific place the festival is situated, but also with regards to the materiality of displaying photography, as well as presenting new perspectives and emerging talents.

As a solo artist you will work in close collaboration with the curatorial team about the planning of the exhibition. If you are selected as one of the shortlisted artists, you are invited for an interview with the CPF curatorial team in the fall of 2025 before the final selection of the headliners for 2025.

If you are selected we have a sharp focus on promoting your work and exhibition on all our platforms and social media channels. But we also aim to create an on site activity program that revolves around your work through relevant activities, e.g. workshops, guided tours and/or talks. As a selected artist we expect you to participate in the activities program created around you and your work.

Your exhibition will be placed in an indoor or outdoor space depending on the project and the overall curatorial strategy. In line with festival values the artist should be prepared to think creatively and experimentally in terms of the hangings and/or installations of the works, as it is a core value for the festival to create exhibitions that are true to the festival format and interact engagingly or even surprisingly or contrastfully with the theme, the project it self and the surroundings it will be presented within.

'Theme 2025: 'Fremkaldelse / Into the Light'

The Danish word 'Fremkaldelse' is specifically connected to the photographic process. Namely, as the moment of truth, when the image comes to light – or literally is "called forth’ – on film or paper after having lain hidden in the camera's dark house. The development process fascinates because it balances skill and chemistry with chance and loss of control, so that something new and perhaps surprising appears.

To ‘fremkalde’ means to cause something to step out of the darkness and into the light - both figuratively and concretely. You shed light on what is not immediately visible. A process that requires selection and opt-out. But also patience and persistence. Qualities that are challenged in an age that celebrates quick fixes, 15 second stories and new beginnings.

In our time, the complexity of everyday life can feel like a blow to the stomach. We are confronted daily with war, conflict and climate challenges. But the intricacies of this contemporary complexity call to be brought into the light. To be seen, scrutinized patiently, shown and told about.

With the 2025 theme 'Fremkaldelser / Into the Light', we want to call out what was hidden in order to create understanding and insight. It could be uncovering hidden stories or agendas in our society or personal (self) insight. This year's theme is a call to sharpen your gaze, shed light on your own and others' blind spots or practice simply seeing.

There is also hope in the theme. Spreading light in a dark time. One can so easily feel paralysed when darkness threatens. Light and hope are therefore essential to deal with the many challenges around us.

What exhibitors receive

As an exhibitor at Copenhagen Photo Festival, your work will receive international exposure on a plethora of platforms giving you a chance to connect with other art and photography professionals. Exhibitors will more specifically receive:

A solo exhibition in the heart of Copenhagen
€ 530 fee as a festival participant.
€ 320 support for travel to and accommodation in CPH (for international photographers)
Copenhagen Photo Festival will cover the expenses for the exhibition
A targeted PR- and marketing strategy for your exhibition on Copenhagen Photo Festival’s communication platforms
The possibility to meet and make contact with other exhibitors, curators and professionals through a large networking dinner, talks and gallery walks

Requirements and Participation

The application must include a biography and a CV.
Applicants must present a project description of up to 2500 characters that explains the finalized concept.
The concept must be related to the overarching theme of 'Fremkaldelser | Into the Light''.
The project description must outline the concept of your project: The expected number of works, the format and material of the works, if AV equipment is needed and if the project has been exhibited before (see terms and conditions).
The project as a whole must never have been exhibited in Denmark before.
You must present a minimum of 10 images that support the concept.
Image size: Minimum 1500px on the long side, sRGB.
Copenhagen Photo Festival commits to providing equal opportunities, and we encourage people of all ethnic backgrounds, races, religions, ages, genders, disabilities, sexual orientations, or social statuses to apply.
Applicants must be open to dialogue with CPF about the presentation of their work and the program activities surrounding it.
We encourage exhibitors to consider themselves ambassadors of the festival and expect them to take part in activities both before and during the festival, both online and in person.
We also expect exhibitors to participate in activities such as videos or podcasts relating to their exhibition or to offer an artist talk during the festival.
Important: If you were selected as a CPF solo artist within the last three years, we recommend you to wait till next year
Important: Projects that have been shortlisted in previous years will not be considered again. So we encourage you to send another project if you have been shortlisted for CPF before.

Judging criteria

As a solo artist at Copenhagen Photo Festival you are selected as one of the headliners of our festival.

We urge applicants to reflect on and propose how the materiality of the work can be presented, produced or designed in a sustainable way.

You can submit your application in English or Danish.

See examples of the exhibitions of the open call winners from previous years in our artist archive: https://copenhagenphotofestival.com/artist-archive/

programme committee

The programme committee that will be selecting the Solo Artists for Copenhagen Photo Festival 2024 consists of highly qualified professionals, who have expertise within curation, photojournalism and art. By bringing together an array of perspectives we ensure that each applicant's work is considered and selected in regards to aesthetic, conceptual and journalistic aspects.

The CPF Programme Committee

Søren Pagter, Head of Dep. of photojournalism, Danish School of Media and Journalism
Maja Dyrehauge Gregersen, Managing Director of Copenhagen Photo Festival
Stinus Duch, Founder and editor at Disko Bay Books
Patricia Breinholm, Curator & Head of Communication at Martin Asbæk Gallery