Photography Contest
Unpublished Photo Contest 2025
Deadline |
CLOSEDTheme |
Open themeTerritory |
WorldwideEligibility |
Photographers aged 18–30Entry Fees |
FREEPrizes |
ExhibitionUP25 contest will be open from 20 January to 3 March 2025. Interested photographers are invited to follow MUSEC’s social channels (IG @museclugano and FB MusecLugano ) for updates; as soon as the competition is online, they can apply through the form available here
The UNPUBLISHED PHOTO contest is promoted by the Fondazione culture e musei of Lugano (FCM) with MUSEC-Lugano; organised in collaboration with the 29 ARTS IN PROGRESS Gallery in Milan and the Istituto Veneto di Scienze, Lettere e Arti in Venice and it is in partnership with the Fondazione Ada Ceschin e Rosanna Pilone in Zurich.
Participation in the international competition is free of charge and open to young photographers born between 1995 and 2007.
From 20 January until 3 March (12:00 am local time) applicants must submit an unpublished photographic project of 10 unpublished images. The projects must have a thematic and stylistic unity. A technical jury of international experts from the world of photography and communication will chose the four finalist portfolios.
The winners will receive the following cash prizes:
1st prize: CHF 3.500;
2nd to 4th prize : CHF 500 each.
The four winners are also rewarded with the publication of a catalogue published by the FCM containing all the photographs submitted to the competition, and an exhibition in Lugano, at the MUSEC venue. The costs of these valorisation activities amount to CHF 50.000 and are fully covered by the FCM.
For the realisation of the Fine Art prints, the finalists must be able to provide the appropriate digital files (TIFF file min. 300 dpi and Adobe rgb 1998 color profile). The prints will be produced by FCM and will become part of the MUSEC photographic collections.
The UNPUBLISHED PHOTO contest is promoted by the Fondazione culture e musei of Lugano (FCM) with MUSEC-Lugano; organised in collaboration with the 29 ARTS IN PROGRESS Gallery in Milan and the Istituto Veneto di Scienze, Lettere e Arti in Venice and it is in partnership with the Fondazione Ada Ceschin e Rosanna Pilone in Zurich.
Participation in the international competition is free of charge and open to young photographers born between 1995 and 2007.
From 20 January until 3 March (12:00 am local time) applicants must submit an unpublished photographic project of 10 unpublished images. The projects must have a thematic and stylistic unity. A technical jury of international experts from the world of photography and communication will chose the four finalist portfolios.
The winners will receive the following cash prizes:
1st prize: CHF 3.500;
2nd to 4th prize : CHF 500 each.
The four winners are also rewarded with the publication of a catalogue published by the FCM containing all the photographs submitted to the competition, and an exhibition in Lugano, at the MUSEC venue. The costs of these valorisation activities amount to CHF 50.000 and are fully covered by the FCM.
For the realisation of the Fine Art prints, the finalists must be able to provide the appropriate digital files (TIFF file min. 300 dpi and Adobe rgb 1998 color profile). The prints will be produced by FCM and will become part of the MUSEC photographic collections.
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!
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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.
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If you're a passionate amateur or professional photographer, we invite you to share your photographic project with us.
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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).
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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
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The winner will receive a grant of $14,000 for a solo exhibition
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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.