The Phodar Biennial 2025 returns for its exciting 13th edition, bringing fresh perspectives to international photography. Run by the Phodar Foundation, this year’s contest tackles “Photographic Reality” – a theme that questions how we see truth through our lenses in an age of smartphones, social media, and AI. As photography evolves in our digital world, what does reality mean to you?
Ready to share your vision with the world? Whether you’re just starting your photography journey or have years of experience, the Phodar Biennial opens doors to global recognition. Winners get more than just cash prizes – your work could be featured at the prestigious Phodar Festival in Sofia, Bulgaria. Plus, see your photos in print through the Phodar Photobook and reach art lovers worldwide through our online gallery. It’s your chance to join a meaningful conversation about photography’s role in today’s culture.
The prizes at Phodar Biennial 2025 pack a punch with a Grand Prize of $2,000 waiting for the overall winner. For those capturing humanity’s powerful moments, there’s a $600 Award for Humanistic Photography. New talents haven’t been forgotten – emerging photographers can compete for the $600 Debut Award. Want to enter? Build a story with 8 to 24 images that speak to our theme. Your work will be judged by photography experts like Alexander Nishkov and Antoan Bozhinov, who’ll pick the most powerful entries for exhibition. Get your photos ready before December 31, 2024, and submit them through our website. Join photographers worldwide at the Phodar Biennial 2025 and help shape the future of photography.
This competition is an exciting opportunity for photographers to test their creative limits. If you still want more, on our website you can find some of the best photography contests to enter. Don’t miss the chance!
The Phodar Biennial 2025 prizes
The Phodar Biennial 2025 offers significant rewards for outstanding photographic series that best capture the theme “Photographic Reality.” Here’s what participants can look forward to:
- Grand Prize: $2,000 and the honor of being exhibited during the Phodar Festival in Sofia.
- Award for Humanistic Photography: $600, recognizing powerful storytelling that highlights human experiences.
- Debut Award: $600, dedicated to photographers submitting their first-ever series.
In addition to these cash awards, the winners’ work will be:
- Showcased in a physical exhibition at the Phodar Festival.
- Featured in the official Phodar Photobook.
- Published in an online Winners Gallery, providing global exposure.
These prizes not only offer financial rewards but also ensure that participants’ work reaches a wider audience, helping them gain recognition in the competitive world of photography.
The categories of the Phodar Biennial 2025
The Phodar Biennial 2025 contest does not split entries into different categories. Instead, it focuses solely on the theme of “Photographic Reality.” This broad theme encourages participants to explore the intersection between digital images and physical existence. Photographers are invited to consider questions such as:
- How does virtual reality intersect with our physical world?
- Can digital images be considered a new language with its own syntax?
- What role does artificial intelligence play in the modern photographic landscape?
Participants can submit work across various genres, including documentary, portraiture, conceptual, and more, as long as the series fits the theme. The idea is to capture meaningful narratives that reflect today’s complex relationship between reality and digital media.
Phodar Biennial 2025 dates and entry fees
Here’s a breakdown of the essential dates and costs for the Phodar Biennial 2025:
- Submission Deadline: December 31, 2024
- Judging Period: January 2025
- Winners Announcement: February 2025
- Exhibition and Festival: May 2025, in Sofia, Bulgaria
Entry Fees:
Registration for the Phodar Biennial 2025 is free of charge. This open and inclusive policy makes this award one of the most outstanding free photography contests.
For more information and to enter the competition, visit: phodar.net
