Terms and conditions

INTRODUCTION

The FOTOGRAFICA NEXT Open Call is promoted within the program of FOTOGRAFICA, Bergamo Photography Festival, organized by Fotografica APS (Tax ID/VAT No. 04282540162, Via Francesco Nullo 28, 24128 Bergamo, Italy - info@fotograficafestival.it).

Participation in the competition implies full acceptance of these Terms and Conditions.

The competition is open to participants of all nationalities and geographical backgrounds and is reserved for photographers and artists aged between 18 and 30 at the time of application.

Participation is free of charge.

The Open Call consists of two distinct categories. Each project may only be submitted to one of the following categories:

Photography
AI Photography

Applications must be submitted anonymously via the Picter platform.

All submitted projects must align with the themes and mission of the prize.

MISSION

The Call aims to amplify the voices of a new generation of photographers and visual artists who are developing their expressive language and exploring innovative ways to depict the complexities of the contemporary world. The prize targets individuals who use photography and imagery to pose questions, suggest new perspectives, and create narratives capable of engaging with contemporary issues, whether social, cultural, or technological.

FOTOGRAFICA NEXT aims to provide young authors concrete opportunities for visibility, growth, and professional exchange, supporting experimentation, intergenerational dialogue, and the emergence of new critical perspectives on contemporary society.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

The Open Call is open to individuals aged between 18 and 30 at the time of application.

Applications submitted by collectives are also accepted, provided they are registered with a single contact person.

Category "Photography":

Only photographic projects (no single images) consisting of a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 15 photographs will be accepted. Images can be produced in analog or digital formats and may include reproductions. Image retouching is allowed provided it does not substantially manipulate the represented reality.

Category "AI Photography":

Only projects (no single images) consisting of a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 10 photographs will be accepted. Images must be created entirely or partially using generative artificial intelligence technologies applied during the project production phase. Projects utilizing AI solely for ideation or post-production will not be accepted.

The following are not accepted:

Projects containing videos.
Projects already exhibited in previous editions of FOTOGRAFICA - Bergamo Photography Festival.
Images containing watermarks, signatures, logos, or other author-identifying elements.

PRIZES

For both "Photography" and "AI Photography" categories, the following awards are provided:

Winner (1 per category): €3,000 cash prize, production of an exhibition within the official program of FOTOGRAFICA 2025, and a free portfolio review during the opening days of FOTOGRAFICA 2025.
Finalists (5 per category): Video projection of the project as part of the official program of FOTOGRAFICA 2025 and a free portfolio review during the opening days of FOTOGRAFICA 2025.

DATES

Call Opening: June 4, 2025

Call Closing: August 27, 2025, at 11:59 PM (Italian time)

Finalists and winners will be announced at the press conference launching FOTOGRAFICA 2025.

The organizers reserve the right to modify the Call closing date if deemed necessary.

Applications must be submitted no later than 11:59 PM on the closing date, under penalty of exclusion.

JURY AND SELECTION PROCESS

Projects will be reviewed by two independent juries: 4 jurors for the "Photography" category and 3 jurors for the "AI Photography" category.

Juries will evaluate submissions based on the following selection criteria:

Personal vision and originality of expressive style
Relevance to the Call theme
Coherent narrative and project development
Technical and creative execution

The organizers reserve the right to exclude applications not aligned with the Call theme or failing to meet the technical requirements outlined in these Terms.

The jury may, at its discretion, award one or more special mentions to projects distinguishing themselves through exceptional creativity, research, experimentation, or social relevance.

COPYRIGHT

The applicant certifies to be the author of the submitted images and to hold all related copyright, where applicable. For projects created (in whole or in part) with the aid of artificial intelligence tools, the applicant declares to be the creator, to have directed the creative process, and to hold the rights to the final composition, while acknowledging that, in some cases, such works may not be eligible for protection under current copyright law.

Applicants also declare they have obtained consent for image use from all persons depicted in submitted materials. Applicants will hold the organization harmless from any legal responsibility arising from unauthorized content use.

Submitted photographs must not infringe third-party rights, including intellectual property, copyrights, trademarks, patents, trade secrets, privacy rights, the right of publicity, moral rights, or confidentiality obligations.

IMAGE USE

Participants retain full copyright of submitted images.

Winners and finalists grant organizers a non-exclusive, 3-year license for image reproduction and dissemination to:

Create exhibitions within the festival's official program
Produce printed materials, including catalogs
Promote the project and festival in print and online

The selection and quantity of images exhibited are at the organizers' sole discretion.

Any prints produced for exhibition remain property of the organizers.

Commercial exploitation rights of the works remain exclusively with the authors.

PERSONAL DATA PROCESSING

In compliance with Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (GDPR), Fotografica APS Association, as Data Controller, informs participants that personal data provided will be processed lawfully, fairly, transparently, and confidentially.

Personal data (name, surname, contacts, and data contained in submitted files) will be collected exclusively for competition management purposes, including selection, evaluation, publication, and promotion activities, and to fulfill legal obligations.

Registration and submission will be handled via Picter (https://www.picter.com), acting as an external data processor under Article 28 GDPR. Participants are encouraged to review Picter's privacy policy available on its website.

Participants assume responsibility for obtaining specific informed consent from recognizable individuals depicted in submitted images under Articles 6 and 9 GDPR.

Fotografica APS Association disclaims responsibility regarding the failure of participants to obtain necessary consents.

Photographs may be published exclusively for competition-related purposes and cultural promotion, respecting authors' moral rights.

Data will be stored only for the time necessary for the stated purposes and will not be disseminated or transferred outside the EU, except as provided by the platform used or required by law, in compliance with GDPR.

Participants may exercise GDPR rights (access, rectification, erasure, limitation, opposition) at any time by writing to: info@fotograficafestival.it

Participation in the competition implies full acceptance of this clause and consent to personal data processing as outlined.