About Call

Following the success of our first AUTOPORTRAIT open call last year, we are excited to announce the 2025 Interim Edition once again with the theme Experimental Self-Portraits. Often involving a stretch of the imagination and pushing beyond the practice of traditional self-portraiture, experimental self-portraiture may utilise unconventional techniques and materials to explore identity, emotion, and the self in new and abstract ways. KLPA welcomes the use of diverse methods and processes, be it analogue or digital techniques, to create thought-provoking portraits. Note that AI-generated images are not allowed. A new panel of selectors is specially brought together to look for uniqueness, process, and the narrative behind these self-portraits, as standalone studies.

PRIZES

Open to international photographers at all levels​​​

• 1st Prize Euro €1,000.00
• 2nd Prize Euro €500.00
• 3rd Prize Euro €300.00 ​​​​​​

STUDENT ENTRIES (FREE TO ENTER)

Euro €200.00 each will be awarded to the three best entries. The Best 35 entries will have their portraits screened at the KLPA2026 finalists exhibition and partner festivals.

Entry

ENTRY FEES​

• 1 image Euro €10.00
• 2 images Euro €20.00
• 3 - 6 images Euro €45.00
• 7 - 10 images Euro €65.00

CONCESSIONS FOR ENTRY This year, KLPA is providing 3 concessionary (free) entries to photographers based in countries where credit and debit cards are unavailable. Please complete this online form with your details by 30 September 2025, and 3 photographers will be selected at random and notified. They will be given a check-out code to submit their entry to the Picter site. Only 1 image is allowed per concession per person.

STUDENT ENTRANTS Full-time enrolled students under 25 years: Submit 1 image for free to be entered to the Students Category. Proof of enrolment by student ID card or establishment letter is required to be uploaded.​

About KLPA

The Kuala Lumpur Photoawards [KLPA] is an independent annual global portrait photography prize seeking the very best and fresh entries from international photographers of all levels. Initiated in 2009 by Steven Lee, its director, KLPA is recognised as an important and vital award in the photography calendar, supporting and rewarding contemporary portraiture practice, especially in the South East Asian region.