Fotofestiwal 2027 Open Program

The Fotofestiwal open call invites photographers and visual artists from anywhere in the world to show a project at Fotofestiwal, the International Festival of Photography in Łódź, Poland. For the 2027 Open Program, an international jury will select six projects, each presented as an exhibition during the festival in June 2027. Selected artists receive a €1,000 artistic fee, accommodation for the opening weekend, travel costs up to €300 and up to €600 for production. Entry costs €15 per project, and the deadline is 30 November 2026.

Fotofestiwal is one of the leading photography festivals in Central Europe, known for ambitious exhibitions in post-industrial spaces across Łódź and for supporting emerging artists.

Who Can Enter the Fotofestiwal Open Call?

Artists and collectives from any country, with no age limit and no restriction on subject. Projects can use any photographic or visual medium.

It is particularly relevant to:

• Documentary and fine art photographers with a finished or nearly finished series
• Artists working with photography alongside video, installation or archives
• Emerging photographers looking for a first international exhibition
• Collectives working on long-term projects

What Can You Enter?

Up to two projects per artist. Each project should be a coherent body of work, in any photographic or visual medium, submitted with images and a description. There is no theme.

Entry Fees

€15 per project. In justified cases, free submission may be possible: write to the organisers at the open call email address given on the official page before the deadline.

What Do Selected Artists Receive?

• An exhibition during Fotofestiwal 2027 in Łódź
• Artistic fee: €1,000
• Accommodation during the main opening weekend
• Travel: reimbursement up to €300
• Production: up to €600 for producing the exhibition or transporting works
• FUTURES: each year the festival nominates at least one artist from the submissions to FUTURES, a European platform for emerging photographers

The Jury

The 2027 jury brings together curators, editors and artists: Jana Johanna Haeckel, Marta Szymańska, Francesco Rombaldi, Roï Saade and Krzysztof Candrowicz.

Submission Requirements

Submit through the Picter platform linked from the official open call page. Prepare a selection of images, a project statement and a short biography.

Why Enter?

An open call with a real artist fee and production budget is still rare, which makes the Fotofestiwal open call stand out, and Fotofestiwal's exhibitions are seen by curators, editors and festival directors from across Europe. The FUTURES nomination can open further doors, with exhibitions, portfolio reviews and mentoring through a network of European institutions. For six artists, it is a chance to present a full project in professional conditions.

About Fotofestiwal

Fotofestiwal has been held in Łódź every year since 2001, organised by the Foundation of Visual Education. The festival takes over galleries, former factories and public spaces in the city, with a main programme of invited exhibitions, the Open Program, portfolio reviews and talks. Łódź, with its strong film and photography schools, gives the festival an audience of students and professionals alike.

Things to Consider

• Submit a coherent project. The Fotofestiwal open call selects bodies of work, not single images.
• Write a clear statement. Explain what the project is about and how it could be exhibited.
• Think about the exhibition. A sense of how your work would hang in a space can help.
• Use both slots wisely. Two different projects give the jury a choice.
• Ask about fee waivers early if the entry fee is a barrier.

Enter the Open Call

Interested in submitting your project?

Apply to the Open Program

For the full rules and the submission link, visit the official Fotofestiwal website.

Looking for more open calls? Browse all competitions and opportunities on Good Stuff Weekly.

Last verified: October 21, 2026