About the Call

The  COTM | BarTur Grant was created for photographers who carry a story not only in their imagination, but in their daily effort, those who have already invested their own time, resources, and heart into bringing a vision to life. Developed in collaboration with Cortona On The Move, this international award honors visual storytellers who push the medium forward through courage, curiosity, and steadfast commitment.

We believe every photographer has a project that won't let them go - an idea they have nurtured, returned to, and pursued as far as they could on their own. The COTM | BarTur Grant exists to meet them at that threshold, offering the support needed to take that work further: to refine, complete, and elevate a story already born from dedication.

This grant celebrates photography shaped by authorship and intention, grounded in cultural resonance, and expressed through a clear, fearless point of view. It is an invitation for committed storytellers to step deeper into their vision and bring long-imagined projects to their fullest realization.

Please visit Cortona On The Move https://www.cortonaonthemove.com and BarTur Photo Award https://www.barturphotoaward.org for more detailed information on the award.

What Winners Receive

The Cortona On The Move | BarTur Grant offers:

• $30,000 Grand Prize: Awarded to one professional photographer.

• Two $5,000 Prizes: Awarded to two emerging photographers under 30.

Photographers are invited to submit proposals for in-progress documentary projects that align with the fund’s central themes. The grand prize winner will be announced at Cortona On The Move Festival in July 2026. They will have nine months to complete their project, with the final work submitted by 15th March 2027. The completed work will be exhibited at Cortona On The Move in July 2027, offering a global stage to amplify their story.

About the Organizations

Cortona On The Move

Since its inception in 2011, Cortona On The Move has been a leading international photography festival, hosted annually in the Tuscan town of Cortona, Italy. Renowned for its dedication to photographic excellence, the festival serves as a hub for photographers, curators, critics, authors, and the public. It has become a pivotal event in the global photography landscape, showcasing groundbreaking work and fostering meaningful connections.

BarTur Photo Award

The BarTur Photo Award celebrates the transformative power of photography in shaping our understanding of the world. By championing photographers who challenge conventional perspectives, the award aims to spark meaningful dialogue and inspire action on critical global issues.

Visual Storytellers Fund

The Visual Storytellers Fund is dedicated to providing grants and resources to photographers all over the world. The Fund aims to empower photographers who are creating compelling documentary photo essays that address critical social, environmental, economic, and cultural issues. Our mission is to support and amplify visual storytelling that may transcend boundaries, sparks dialogue, and fosters empathy.

Judging Criteria

Submissions are assessed on intellectual and substantive merits, as well as:

• Creativity and Originality: The uniqueness of the approach and a compelling narrative.

• Relevance: Alignment with the competition's thematic areas (urgent social, environmental, economic, or cultural issues).

• Technical and Aesthetic Excellence: The quality of the imagery and storytelling.

• Potential Impact: The project's capacity to engage audiences and inspire meaningful dialogue.

• Feasibility: The clarity of the budget, timeline, and methodologies proposed.