Application Rules and Conditions

“Talent of the Year – Special Award Named after Tsvetan Tomchev”

NOISE Education

NOISE Education announces the application guidelines for the “Talent of the Year“ – A Special Award named in honor of Tsvetan Tomchev, photojournalist and mentor to dozens of Bulgarian photographers. An award, aimed at young creators up to the age of 26 working in the fields of photojournalism, documentary photography and visual storytellers. The winner will receive photographic equipment provided by Sony Bulgaria, as well as free participation in the NOISE Education mentorship program. The initiative aims to discover and support emerging visual storytellers who demonstrate a strong personal perspective and the ability to construct a narrative through imagery.

Eligibility
The program is open to:

• Authors up to 26 years of age at the application deadline August 22, 2026.
• Participants from Bulgarian nationality, regardless of where they live in the world
• Authors working on projects in the fields of photography, journalism, anthropology, and visual arts
  Each applicant may submit only one story between 5 to 12 photographs.

Required Application Materials
Applications must be submitted via the NOISE Education website – www.noiseducation.com and Picter platform.

Each applicant is required to prepare:

• A short bio up to 2000 symbols.
• A motivation letter of up to 500 words
• A visual story consisting between 5 to 12 photographs - taken in 2025 or 2026 year—submitted via Picter platform, including a written description up to 500 words.

The use of artificial intelligence in the creation of both images and texts is not permitted within the program. All submitted images must be original and created by the applicant. NOISE Education reserves the right to disqualify participants in cases where the use of generative AI or other forms of artificially generated content is identified.

The application deadline is August 22, 2026 at 23:59h.

All applications will be reviewed by a jury composed of educators and professionals in the field of visual arts, photojournalists, producers, and international editors—partners of NOISE Education.

The evaluation will be based on visual storytelling skills, narrative construction, originality of the author’s perspective, emotional impact, and social relevance.

The shortlists will be announced on September 10, 2026.

The winner will be publicly presented through the official channels of NOISE Education and on a official ceremony at “The Steps” place in Sofia, Bulgaria.

The “Talent of the Year – named after Tsvetan Tomchev” award will be presented during an official ceremony at the NOISE Education conference in Sofia on September 24, 2026 at “The Steps” place at 6 p.m. Free entrance, but need to register through the social media of NOISE Education - @noise.education .

The winner will receive photographic equipment—a camera and lens provided by Sony Bulgaria—as well as the opportunity to further develop their story within a mentorship program at NOISE Education, which will support the completion and presentation of the project. All the 4 shortlisted will receive 40% discount for the NOISE Education programs in the following academic year of 2026/2027.

All participants retain full copyright over their submitted images.
By applying, participants grant NOISE Education the right to use the submitted materials for communication purposes and for promoting the program across its social media channels, digital platforms, media outlets, and both online and print publications. Such use will be strictly non-commercial and solely for the purpose of promoting the author and the NOISE Education Academy of Visual Arts, with proper credit always given to the author.