The Worldwide Photography Gala Awards has opened the submission period for the 22nd Pollux Awards. This international photography competition invites entries from photographers across the globe, dividing participants into Professional and Non-Professional sections to ensure appropriate evaluation. A significant draw for the Pollux Awards 2025 is the opportunity for top winners to receive a fully-funded solo exhibition at the FotoNostrum Gallery in Barcelona, Spain. The competition covers a wide spectrum of photographic genres, offering numerous categories for photographers to submit their work.
Submissions for the 22nd Pollux Awards are accepted across an extensive list of categories, ranging from Abstract and Architecture to Documentary, Fine Art, Portrait, Street Photography, Wildlife, and many others. Within each section, awards are given for both single images and series (portfolios of 6 images). The primary prizes target four overall winners (one Pro Series, one Pro Single Image, one Non-Pro Series, one Non-Pro Single Image), who each receive a fully-paid solo exhibition, gallery representation, and online sales opportunities. Category winners and honorable mentions are also selected and invited to participate in a collective exhibition, though participation requires payment for production costs.
The final deadline to enter the 22nd Pollux Awards is April 28th, 2025. Entry fees are tiered, starting at $35 for a set of 3 single images and $60 for a series of 6 images, with costs for additional submissions. Considering the prize structure, the Pollux Awards 2025 offers a particularly valuable opportunity for the four overall winners due to the fully-funded exhibition and gallery representation. For category winners and honorable mentions, the invitation to exhibit in Barcelona is appealing.
The 22nd Pollux Awards Prizes
The 22nd Pollux Awards offers a set of prizes primarily focused on providing significant exhibition opportunities in Barcelona and potential gallery representation, particularly for its top winners. These awards offer valuable exposure in a recognized European art space.
Overall Winners (4 Total: Pro Series, Pro Single Image, Non-Pro Series, Non-Pro Single Image):
- Fully-Paid Solo Exhibition: Each of the four overall winners receives a dedicated exhibition at the FotoNostrum Gallery in Barcelona during 2026. The Gala Awards covers all exhibition expenses for these winners, including the printing and framing of up to 20 photographs each. A curator assists with work selection and installation.
- Gallery Representation: An initial 18-month non-exclusive consignment representation contract with FotoNostrum Gallery is offered to these four winners.
- Online Sales Exposure: Represented artists will have their work exhibited for sale online via the ArtEndipity platform.
Category Winners and Honorable Mentions:
- Collective Exhibition Invitation: Selected winners and honorable mentions across all categories will be invited to exhibit their work in a group show held in a space adjacent to the overall winners’ exhibitions at FotoNostrum Gallery in Barcelona (2026).
- Exhibition Costs (Important Note): While the venue and organizational costs for this collective show are covered by the Gala Awards, photographers participating in this group exhibition are responsible for the costs of printing, framing, setup (hanging, labeling), and insurance for their exhibited pieces. This cost is estimated at approximately $280 per piece. Participation requires agreement to cover these costs and submission of high-resolution files for printing.
- Publication in FotoNostrum Magazine: Images of all awardees (Category Winners and Honorable Mentions, alongside Overall Winners) will be featured in a special issue of FotoNostrum Magazine during 2025.
The distinction between the fully-paid solo exhibition for overall winners and the cost-associated collective exhibition for category winners/honorable mentions is a critical factor when considering the value of these photography challenge prizes and rewards.
The Categories of the 22nd Pollux Awards
The 22nd Pollux Awards features two main sections based on the photographer’s professional status, with submissions accepted across a wide array of categories within each section. Participants self-select into either the Professional or Non-Professional section.
Sections:
- Professional Section: Defined for photographers who earn more than 50% of their annual income from photography.
- Non-Professional Section: For photographers who do not meet the criteria for the Professional section (e.g., amateurs, hobbyists, those earning less than 50% income from photography).
Categories available within both sections:
- Abstract
- Alternative Processes
- Architecture & Interiors
- Black & White
- Children
- Cell Phone
- Cityscapes
- Culture & Daily Life
- Digital Manipulation & Collage
- Documentary & Reportage
- Fine Art
- Landscapes & Seascapes
- Nature
- Nude & Figure
- People
- Portrait
- Self Portrait
- Still Life
- Street Photography
- Wild Life
This extensive list allows photographers working in nearly every genre and style to find a suitable category for their single image or series submissions to the Pollux Awards 2025.
22nd Pollux Awards Dates and Entry Fees
Participants in the 22nd Pollux Awards should take note of the key dates, including the Early Bird discount deadline and the final submission cutoff. Adhering to these photo contest deadlines is essential.
| Event | Date / Deadline |
|---|---|
| Early Bird Discount Ends | April 13, 2025 |
| Final Submission Deadline | April 28, 2025 |
| Jurors Announced | Approx. April 21, 2025 (One week before deadline) |
| Winner Announcement / Magazine Publication | During 2025 (Specific date TBC) |
| Exhibitions in Barcelona | During 2026 (Specific dates TBC) |
Entry Fees
Fees are structured based on single images versus series, with discounts for additional entries:
- Single Images: $35 for a set of 3 single images.
- Additional Single Image: $12 for each single image beyond the initial set of 3.
- Series: $60 for one series (composed of 6 images).
- Additional Series: $30 for each additional series beyond the first one.
Early Bird Discount: A 20% discount applies to the above fees if registration and payment are completed by April 13, 2025. The discount is automatically applied in the registration form during the Early Bird period.
How to Enter
To enter the 22nd Pollux Awards:
- Visit the official Pollux Awards website and navigate to the registration/submission section.
- Register an account or log in if you have previously entered Gala Awards competitions.
- Select whether you are entering the Professional or Non-Professional section.
- Choose the category/categories for your submission(s).
- Prepare your image files according to the specifications:
- File Type: JPG only.
- Color Profile: sRGB or Adobe RGB.
- Resolution: 72 dpi precisely.
- File Size: Maximum 10 MB per image.
- Upload your single images or series (6 images constitute a series). You can edit submissions (change titles, replace images) until the final deadline.
- Pay the required entry fee based on the number and type of submissions (single vs. series) and taking advantage of the Early Bird discount if applicable before April 13. Payment methods are typically processed via the online platform.
- Ensure final submission is completed before the deadline: April 28, 2025.
About the Jury
The specific jurors for the 22nd Pollux Awards will be announced approximately one week before the final submission deadline (around April 21, 2025). The organizers state that the jury typically consists of experienced professionals capable of evaluating work across various photographic perspectives. While names aren’t available at the time of writing, the structure ensures evaluation by qualified individuals.
Why Enter the 22nd Pollux Awards?
The 22nd Pollux Awards presents a significant opportunity, particularly for photographers aiming for international exhibition exposure and potential gallery representation. The standout prize is the fully-funded solo exhibition at FotoNostrum Gallery in Barcelona for the four overall winners – a substantial benefit covering production costs that can often be a barrier.
The offer of gallery representation adds another layer of professional potential. Inclusion in the FotoNostrum Magazine offers further reach. The competition’s broad range of categories caters to nearly every photographic style and genre, and the separate sections for professionals and non-professionals aim for fair competition. Given these factors, the Pollux Awards 2025 is a strong contender among other photography challenges and competitions for those seeking recognition and exhibition opportunities in Europe.
Rules and Copyright
This section about the rules and image rights of the 22nd Pollux Awards has been generated automatically. If you are interested in participating in this contest we suggest you review the complete rules provided by the contest.
Rules
The 22nd Pollux Awards is open to photographers worldwide over 13 years old, competing in Professional or Non-Professional sections across numerous categories. Submissions must be JPG files, 72 dpi, max 10MB, sRGB or Adobe RGB profile. Entry fees apply ($35/3 singles, $12/addtl; $60/series, $30/addtl series), with a 20% Early Bird discount until April 13. Final deadline is April 28, 2025. Entrants warrant ownership and rights to submitted work. Collective exhibition participants must pay production fees (~$280/piece) and provide high-res files. Entries containing defamatory, obscene, or illegal content will be rejected.
Copyright
Entrants to the 22nd Pollux Awards retain full ownership and copyright of their submitted images. By entering, photographers grant The Worldwide Photography Gala Awards a non-exclusive license to reproduce submitted photographs for the purpose of marketing and promoting the Gala Awards’ competitions for a period of up to two years after the award announcement. This usage includes potential inclusion in catalogues, posters, publications, and online platforms, without payment to the photographer or models. Photographers will receive credit with each use. This license also allows The Gala Awards to sublicense images to the press strictly for reproduction in connection with the competition and awards.
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For more information and to enter the competition, visit: the oficial website.
