Photo Oxford has announced its exciting Open Call for the upcoming Photo Oxford 2025 festival edition. This international opportunity invites photographers and artists from across the globe to submit photographic projects. Centred around the theme ‘Revealing Truth’, which ties into the broader festival focus of ‘Truth and Photography’, the call seeks fresh, engaging work that explores the artist’s relationship with the medium and their perception of the world’s realities.
Organized by the Photo Oxford charity, this biannual festival leverages the unique resources and academic environment of Oxford while fostering a global conversation about photography. A key highlight for selected artists is the chance to exhibit at the internationally renowned Modern Art Oxford gallery during the festival. Ten winners will secure this exhibition spot, alongside other benefits. The submission window closes sharply on May 17, 2025, with an entry fee of €27 per project (up to 20 images). It is certainly very close to being one of the best photography challenges online for project-based work.
For photographers interested in thematic exploration and significant exhibition opportunities, the Photo Oxford 2025 Open Call presents a compelling prospect. The theme ‘Revealing Truth’ allows for diverse interpretations, judged by a truly stellar panel including luminaries like Joel Meyerowitz and Sunil Gupta, alongside respected curators, gallerists, and publishers. The prestige associated with exhibiting at Modern Art Oxford offers substantial value beyond typical contest outcomes. It’s a chance to be part of a respected international festival known for thoughtful programming and connections to Oxford’s rich cultural landscape.
The Photo Oxford 2025 Prizes
The Photo Oxford 2025 Open Call offers significant exposure and networking opportunities for its selected winners, focusing on exhibition and engagement:
- Exhibition at Modern Art Oxford: One overall winner and nine co-awardees (10 winners total) will have their work prominently featured in a dedicated exhibition at Modern Art Oxford, an internationally recognised contemporary arts institution. Up to 8 images from each winning series will be included. The exhibition is scheduled to open in September 2025 as part of the main festival.
- Online Promotion: All 10 winners will receive prominent inclusion on the Photo Oxford Festival website and its social media channels.
- Juror Meeting: Each winner will have the opportunity for a 30-minute Zoom meeting with one of the competition jurors of their choice, providing valuable direct feedback and networking potential.
- Instagram Takeover: A 10-day jury-curated takeover of the Photo Oxford Instagram account will feature the winners’ work, offering direct audience engagement.
The Categories of the Photo Oxford 2025
The Photo Oxford 2025 Open Call theme for this year’s Open Call is: Revealing Truth.
The judges seek photography that encapsulates the ‘spirit of the moment’ and reflects the artist’s unique relationship with photography and their perception of truth in the world. Entrants should submit a cohesive project or body of work (up to 20 images) that engages with this theme. The call is open to diverse interpretations and approaches within this framework.
Photo Oxford 2025 Dates and Entry Fees
Here are the key dates and participation costs for the Photo Oxford 2025 Open Call:
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Submission Deadline | May 17, 2025 |
| Winners Announcement | By June 8, 2025 |
| Exhibition Opening at Modern Art Oxford | September 2025 |
| Photo Oxford 2025 Festival Dates | October 25 – November 16, 2025 |
The cost to participate is:
- Entry Fee: €27 per submission.
Each submission can consist of a project containing up to 20 images. Artists may enter multiple times, with each submission requiring a separate fee.
About the Jury
The Photo Oxford 2025 Open Call boasts a highly distinguished international jury panel, reflecting the festival’s reputation for excellence. The jurors include:
- Joel Meyerowitz: Award-winning photographer, pioneer of color photography, Guggenheim Fellow, exhibited globally including Tate Modern.
- Sunil Gupta: Photographer focusing on race, migration, and queer issues; retrospective at The Photographers’ Gallery; work in MoMA, Tate collections.
- Hannah Watson: Director of TJ Boulting gallery and Trolley Books publisher; Chair of The Photographers’ Gallery Associate Patrons committee.
- Pelumi Odubanjo: Curator, writer, and researcher focusing on photographic archives and global Black diasporas; ICF Ten.8 Research & Curatorial Fellow.
- Dr Taous Dahmani: Art historian, writer, and curator (Les Rencontres d’Arles, Jaou Photo Biennale); associate editor for ‘Shining Lights’.
- Alex Schneideman: Photographer, curator, writer, printmaker, Director of Flow Photographic Lab and Gallery; Artistic Director of Photo Oxford 2023.
- Antonia Blocker: Writer and curator; Acting Head of Exhibitions at Modern Art Oxford; previously held positions at Zabludowicz Collection, Whitechapel, ICA, Serpentine.
- James Dwyer: Director of Michael Hoppen Gallery, advising private collectors and institutions globally; works closely with represented artists.
This panel brings a wealth of experience from artistic practice, curation, publishing, academia, and the gallery world to the selection process.
Why Enter Photo Oxford 2025?
Participating in the Photo Oxford 2025 Open Call offers photographers a unique and prestigious opportunity. The most significant draw is the chance for ten winners to exhibit their work at Modern Art Oxford, a highly respected contemporary art institution with an international profile. This provides unparalleled visibility within the art world and exposure during a well-regarded international photography festival. The theme, ‘Revealing Truth’, allows for deep conceptual engagement and encourages photographers to present meaningful project-based work.
Beyond the exhibition, the prize package includes direct interaction with the esteemed jury panel through a 30-minute Zoom meeting—a rare chance for personalized feedback and connection. The 10-day Instagram takeover further enhances promotional reach. Having work assessed by such a high-calibre, diverse jury including legendary photographers, influential curators, gallerists, and publishers is itself a valuable experience. Considering these factors, this stands out among photography challenges to participate in, especially for those focused on project development and critical engagement.
Rules and Copyright
This section about the rules and image rights of the Photo Oxford 2025 Open Call 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
- Eligibility: Global competition open to photographers, curators, collectives, artists. Entrants must be over 13; those under 18 require parent/guardian permission. Employees/agents of Photo Oxford/Picter are ineligible.
- Submission Method: Entries must be submitted via the Picter online platform.
- Image Limit: Up to 20 images per single entry/project. Multiple entries are allowed (each charged separately).
- Original Work: All submitted imagery must be the exclusive work of the entrant and not infringe on third-party copyright.
- Digital Manipulation: There are no restrictions mentioned regarding the use of digital manipulation.
- Device: Images can be taken on any device capable of producing a suitably sized digital image.
- Previous Awards: Images submitted to or winning other awards are eligible.
- Withdrawal: Images can be withdrawn or swapped before the deadline; after the deadline, entries are final.
- Disqualification: The Promoter (Photo Oxford) reserves the right to disqualify entries not complying with rules or the spirit of the awards.
Copyright and Image Usage
- Copyright Ownership: Copyright for each image entered remains with the submitting photographer.
- Usage License Grant: By entering, the photographer grants the Promoter (Photo Oxford), its sponsors, and hosting partner (Picter) a non-exclusive, irrevocable license to use the submitted photograph(s) for any purpose connected with the Competition.
- Permitted Uses Include: Promoting the competition (print/online media), inclusion in competition books (print/digital), calendars, or merchandise, display at exhibitions, use in press/marketing materials, social media, and promotion of future competitions.
- Publicity Consent: Entrants agree to participate in related publicity and the use of their name and likeness for advertising/promotion without additional compensation.
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For more information and to enter the competition, visit: the oficial website.
