Get ready for the Belfast Photo Festival Open Submission 2025! This top-notch contest invites shutterbugs from around the world to share their best shots. Whether you’re just starting out or you’re a pro, this is your chance to shine. The theme? It’s wide open, so let your creativity run wild. You can enter up to 15 photos from one project or even a whole photobook. No matter your style, there’s room for you here.
If you make it to the finals, get set for some serious exposure. Your work could be on display in the heart of Belfast, where over 100,000 people will see it. But that’s not all. Finalists get their names in the festival’s printed guide, show up in online galleries, and catch the eye of millions through a big PR push. Want more? You might snag an Instagram takeover during the festival. Oh, and don’t forget the prizes. The top dog walks away with the Spotlight Award – that’s a cool £2,000 in your pocket and a year’s membership to the Royal Photographic Society.
Mark your calendars! Early birds who submit by November 1, 2024, catch a break on fees. But don’t worry if you miss that – you’ve got until January 31, 2025, to get your shots in. The big show runs from June 5 to June 30, 2025, right in the heart of Belfast, Northern Ireland. Entry fees start at €23, and that money goes straight to supporting the Belfast Photo Festival charity. They’re all about boosting photographers and keeping the art scene alive and kicking.
The Belfast Photo Festival Open Submission 2025 is a remarkable opportunity for photographers to gain international exposure, connect with industry leaders, and see their work exhibited in front of a diverse audience. With its open theme, prestigious jury, and substantial prizes, it stands out as one of the best photography competitions to enter this year.
The Belfast Photo Festival Open Submission 2025 prizes
The Belfast Photo Festival Open Submission 2025 isn’t just handing out cash – it’s opening doors for photographers. Sure, the Spotlight Award’s £2,000 prize is nothing to sneeze at. It’s a big deal, showing the world you’ve got serious chops. But the real magic? It’s in the opportunities that come with winning.
Take the year-long Royal Photographic Society membership. It’s like getting a backstage pass to the photography world. You’ll rub elbows with pros, learn new tricks in workshops, and maybe even see your work in fancy exhibitions. And there’s more. Win the Abridged Editorial Award, and boom – your whole project gets showcased in Abridged Magazine. Snag the Aesthetica Editorial Award, and you’re in Aesthetica, a magazine that art lovers worldwide flip through. These Belfast Photo Festival Open Submission 2025 prizes aren’t just about the here and now. They’re about getting your name out there, building your rep, and making sure people remember your work long after the festival lights dim.
Awards and cash prizes
- Spotlight Award of £2,000 ( Approx $2,700 / €2,300)
- 1 Year Free Royal Photographic Society Membership
- Abridged Editorial Award with full project feature
- Aesthetica Editorial Award – in the digital issue of Aesthetica international art and culture magazine
20 to 40 finalist photographers receive:
- Print production and exposure at Belfast
- Permanent publication in the Festival programme, website and marketing materials
- Festival representation and promotion in our award winning media and PR campaign
- Participation and promotion in our Instagram residency
- Dedicated feature on the Festival website with full online gallery
- Inclusion in the Festival issue of Abridged Magazine
- Partner exhibition and exposure at the 2026 Photo Schwiez Festival in Switzerland
The categories of the Belfast Photo Festival Open Submission 2025
Unlike many photography competitions, the Belfast Photo Festival Open Submission 2025 embraces an open theme, giving photographers the freedom to explore a wide range of subjects, styles, and concepts. This lack of thematic restriction means that entrants can present works that align with their personal vision and artistic exploration. Submissions can be purely photographic or combine photography with other art forms, such as performance, painting, sculpture, or literature. This approach fosters creative diversity and ensures a broad spectrum of artistic expression in the competition.
The Belfast Photo Festival Open Submission 2025 dates and entry fees
Want to join the Belfast Photo Festival Open Submission 2025? Your entry fee helps run the show and supports the photographers who make it happen. Early birds catch a deal – submit by November 1, 2024, and you’ll pay just €23 (about £19). Miss that window? No sweat. The standard fee is €29 (roughly £25). Either way, you can show off up to 15 of your best shots from one project. It’s a chance to really strut your stuff.
Mark your calendar: January 31, 2025, is your last chance to get in on the action. If you make the cut, you’ll hear the good news in early April 2025. Then get ready for the big event! From June 5 to 30, 2025, Belfast turns into one giant gallery. Your work could be front and center, catching the eyes of over 100,000 visitors. It’s a whole month of your photos in the spotlight, right in the heart of the city.
Registration fees:
- Early Bird Fee: €23 (about £19)
- Standard Fee: €29 (about £25)
Key dates to keep in mind:
- Early Bird Deadline: November 1, 2024
- Final Submission Deadline: January 31, 2025
- Winner Notification: Early April 2025
- Festival Dates: June 5-30, 2025
For more information and to enter the Belfast Photo Festival Open Submission 2025, visit: belfastphotofestival.com/open-submission-2025-info
