Open Call — FotoDoc Photo Contest 2026

Festival FotoDoc is pleased to announce that submissions for the FotoDoc Photo Contest 2026 will open on December 1st. This is a unique opportunity for photographers seeking visibility for their authorial work within the expanded field of documentary photography — a territory that embraces relevant, personal, and socially meaningful visual narratives.

How does the Contest work?

The FotoDoc Photo Contest aims to recognize projects that contribute to a deeper understanding of key issues in the contemporary world. Documentary photography is understood here in its broadest sense, combining authorial expression, subjectivity, and critical engagement.

The Contest offers three categories, allowing each photographer to choose the format that best represents their work:

• Single Image – up to 3 images per submission (evaluated individually)

• Photo Essay – series of 6 to 8 images

• Portfolio – series of 10 to 15 images, preferably from a single project

All submissions are reviewed by the curatorial team on a rolling basis throughout the submission period. Each selected work will be published on the Festival FotoDoc website, together with a dedicated photographer profile page, and also featured on the festival’s Instagram.

Publication is subject to a US$ 29 fee, while both submission and initial evaluation are free of charge.

Why participate?

In addition to the visibility provided by online publication, selected photographers will compete for:

• 60 finalist positions

• Publication in the FotoDoc Magazine 2026

• Selection of 25 award winners, chosen by a specialized Jury

• Participation in a featured exhibition during Festival FotoDoc 2026

• The FotoDoc Photo Contest Trophy

And the highlight: one Portfolio will be selected as the Overall Winner. The author will receive round-trip airfare and accommodation to attend Festival FotoDoc in São Paulo and present their work in the FotoDoc Talks (Encontros) series.

Who can apply?

The Contest is open to professional and amateur photographers, with no restrictions regarding nationality, theme, or date of image capture. Submissions may include analog or digital photography, image manipulation, photomontage, photograms, works made with non-conventional cameras, and smartphone photography.

Images generated by artificial intelligence are not accepted.

Why is there a publication fee?

The publication fee supports the work of the curatorial team and the professionals involved in the Contest, as well as platform maintenance and the promotion of selected and finalist works. It represents a service provided by the festival, ensuring the publication and dissemination of the photographer’s work across FotoDoc’s official platforms.

Prepare your work and submit!

Submissions remain open until June 30th. As selected works are published on a rolling basis, submitting early increases your visibility on the selected projects page.

Prepare your best work, carefully review the guidelines, and take part in the 4th edition of the FotoDoc Photo Contest!