About the Portfolio Reviews

NOTE: The Portfolio Reviews will be held in person on Thursday, 8 and Friday, 9 October 2026, in Braga, Portugal.

PRIZE: 3.000€ + solo exhibition in 2027

The Portfolio Reviews for 2026 are now open for submissions. Encontros da Imagem is excited to announce that our annual portfolio reviews - with a jury of internationally and nationally acclaimed professionals in the photography field - are returning to the historic city of Braga in October 2026. This Award offers a chance to meet with recognized commissioners, gallerists, curators and publishers, to present your portfolio, promote your work and receive valuable feedback and advice.

The 32 selected photographers will all give 10 minute public presentations, followed by 8 individual review appointments with the jury members, lasting 10 minutes each.

What winners receive

The winning project from the Portfolio Review 2026 will receive a cash prize of € 3.000 (three thousand euros), a solo exhibition at the 2027 edition of Encontros da Imagem - International Photography and Visual Arts Festival, as well as publication in KATALOG magazine.

In addition to the winning project, 3 Honorable Mentions will be chosen and will be part of a video projection to be presented during the 2027 edition of the festival

How to enter

All candidates must take the following points into consideration:

Each applicant can submit a maximum of 3 projects and each submission is considered a single application;

• Each submission must have between 15 and 20 images and include a brief synopsis;
• The assessment of applications is divided into two stages: an initial pre-selection stage via the Picter platform, and a second stage taking place in person in Braga during the festival. The initial registration fee is € 30 and the fee for the second stage is € 80.
• The first phase, the application phase via Picter, will run from 1 to 31 May 2026.
• The second phase will be held in person on Thursday, 8 and Friday, 9 October 2026, in Braga, Portugal.

The artists assume full responsibility for the authorship of the projects submitted to the competition.

About Encontros da Imagem

Encontros da Imagem, founded 1987, is a non-profit cultural association that annually promotes an International Photography and Visual Arts Festival in the city of Braga, Portugal. The festival celebrates classic and contemporary photography and visual arts in general by showcasing emerging and established artists and it is recognized worldwide as one of the most important photo festivals. Portfolio Reviews look to create a unique opportunity for the participants to reach an exhibition, a publication or simply to find ways to improve their projects.