Photography Contest
The Dummy Award 2025
Deadline |
CLOSEDTheme |
Photo bookTerritory |
WorldwideEligibility |
Open to allEntry Fees |
36 EurosPrizes |
BookHost |
PhotoBookMuseumSince 2010, the Kassel Fotobook Festival has been inviting photographers to take part in its Kassel Dummy Award.
The participating photographers have been able to establish contacts with galleries, publishers and festivals and presented their books to an international audience. Hundreds of books from the shortlist have been exhibited at countless international photography events, festivals and exhibition spaces.
Over this period of time thousands of photobook prototypes have been submitted from all over the world.
Since 2023 the PhotoBookMuseum in Cologne is in charge of the Dummy Award.
We are sure that this will increase the importance for a new generation of photographers and put it on an even broader footing. Together with MAS Matbaa in Istanbul, our printing and publishing partner, this is destined to maintain the high quality and reputation of the Dummy Award in the future.
The rules are easy: Each year, we invite all photographers worldwide to take part. From all entries, around 50 books are selected for a shortlist to be exhibited at international photography events. Together with the votes of the shortlist jury, each exhibiting venue has a vote, either determined by public vote or by curator’s choice. With these votes, 5 winning books will be selected from the shortlist. The book that wins the PBM/MAS Prize will be produced and published by the leading Turkish photobook printing and binding house MAS Matbaa, in cooperation with the PhotoBookMuseum. The costs will be fully covered. The other four winning books will receive a production grant for printing their books at MAS Matbaa.
The participating photographers have been able to establish contacts with galleries, publishers and festivals and presented their books to an international audience. Hundreds of books from the shortlist have been exhibited at countless international photography events, festivals and exhibition spaces.
Over this period of time thousands of photobook prototypes have been submitted from all over the world.
Since 2023 the PhotoBookMuseum in Cologne is in charge of the Dummy Award.
We are sure that this will increase the importance for a new generation of photographers and put it on an even broader footing. Together with MAS Matbaa in Istanbul, our printing and publishing partner, this is destined to maintain the high quality and reputation of the Dummy Award in the future.
The rules are easy: Each year, we invite all photographers worldwide to take part. From all entries, around 50 books are selected for a shortlist to be exhibited at international photography events. Together with the votes of the shortlist jury, each exhibiting venue has a vote, either determined by public vote or by curator’s choice. With these votes, 5 winning books will be selected from the shortlist. The book that wins the PBM/MAS Prize will be produced and published by the leading Turkish photobook printing and binding house MAS Matbaa, in cooperation with the PhotoBookMuseum. The costs will be fully covered. The other four winning books will receive a production grant for printing their books at MAS Matbaa.
Featured Photo Contest
AAP Magazine #56 / SHADOWS
$1,000 cash prizes | Winning image(s) published in AAP Magazine #56 | Website feature and International Press
© Francesco Pace Rizzi
Best Photography Contests in 2025
Each year, there are hundreds of photography competitions all over the world, so we've decided to select for you the best of the best! Our selection of the best photo contests in 2025 is thoroughly curated to help you, whether you are a professional photographer or an amateur, to help find your next creative breakthrough. These all-star competitions offer the greatest opportunities for international exposure and/or incredible financial benefits. Some of them are closing soon, so get your photo submissions in!
ENDS 03/13/26
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ENDS 03/13/26
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‘On the Block’ celebrates the unposed, unfiltered, and fleeting moments that define the art of documenting everyday life, whether in dense urban streets or sleepy rural towns.
ENDS 03/16/26
The prize is endowed with €5,000 to use as the winner sees fit.
ENDS 03/17/26
Be Featured in our April 2026 Online Juried Solo Exhibition!
ENDS 03/19/26
Our 56th printed issue of AAP Magazine will feature the best projects showcasing the theme "Shadows".
ENDS 03/21/26
The FORMAT Portfolio Review is returning in 2026. It will take place online on Friday 20 and Saturday 21 March.
ENDS 03/29/26
Be seen, be supported, and be part of Head On Photo Festival 2026.
ENDS 03/31/26
If you're a passionate amateur or professional photographer, we invite you to share your photographic project with us.
ENDS 03/31/26
Selected photobooks will be featured in Der Greif’s Articles section, including a dedicated editorial feature highlighting the project, its context, and the maker(s).
ENDS 03/31/26
Entries are open worldwide to photographers using an iPhone or iPad. Photos should not be published previously anywhere. The posts on personal accounts (Facebook, Instagram etc.) are eligible.
ENDS 04/02/26
$10,000 project development grant for up to eight participants. Funds may be used in whatever way fellows see fit in order to expand and complete projects
ENDS 04/12/26
The winner will receive a grant of $14,000 for a solo exhibition
ENDS 04/16/26
Emerging Photographers (under 30 year old ) 2 X $ 5000 grants.
ENDS 04/16/26
The main grant is open to professional photographers worldwide, one $30,000. grant
ENDS 05/07/26
The 2026 Virginia Prize, worth €10,000, will be awarded to its winner in November 2026.
ENDS 05/17/26
MonoVisions Photography Awards are an international open call for photographers using black and white medium to express their visual language.
ENDS 05/31/26
This season will feature five main categories, with ‘Family’ serving as the primary theme.
ENDS 06/03/26
BUDAPEST INTERNATIONAL FOTO AWARDS is an international platform for photographers from all levels and genres to share their best images with the creative community in Hungary and Eastern Europe.
ENDS 06/15/26
Submit your best photographs now and get your chance to be one of the winners awarded in Siena!
ENDS 06/30/26
The IPA recognizes photography’s leading talents who are creating, shaping and defining the world of photography today.
ENDS 07/22/26
Submit your best work to our photo competition for a chance to win up to $11,500 in cash prizes, be selected by our curators for the PX3 exhibition in Paris and inclusion in the Annual PX3 book.