Photography Contest
Wiki Loves Folklore 2026
Deadline |
03/31/26Theme |
Cultural heritageTerritory |
WorldwideEligibility |
Open to allEntry Fees |
FREEPrizes |
Cash PrizeHost |
WikimediaWiki Loves Folklore 2026 is an international media contest which aims at documenting tangible and intangible culture and heritage of different parts of the world.
The basic aim of the competition is to collect photos of cultural heritage to illustrate articles in the worldwide free encyclopedia Wikipedia and other Wikimedia Foundation projects.
Wiki Loves Folklore 2026 will recognize 149 outstanding contributors to the contest. Awards include global and regional prizes for photography, video, and audio.
This media contest celebrates the rich tapestry of folk culture from around the world, featuring categories that include (but are not limited to) folk festivals, dances, music, activities, games, cuisine, clothing, and a wide variety of traditional expressions. These may encompass ballads, folktales, fairy tales, legends, seasonal celebrations, calendar customs, folk arts, folk religion, and mythology.
The Wiki Loves Folklore International media contest serves as a vital catalyst for preserving intangible cultural heritage, in accordance with the 2003 UNESCO Convention. It encourages people from diverse backgrounds to capture and share images representing their cultural heritage, effectively documenting and sharing these intangible aspects of culture. Through visual storytelling, it raises awareness about the importance of cultural practices, rituals, and traditions and promotes community engagement in heritage preservation. By showcasing intangible cultural heritage on Wikimedia Commons, Wiki Loves Folklore ensures its transmission to future generations, making it more accessible and relevant in the modern world while upholding the principles of the 2003 UNESCO Convention.
Since 2019, Wiki Loves Folklore has garnered participation from over 180+ countries. In our ongoing effort, we aim to bring together diverse cultural heritage from around the globe, with a special focus on regions that are often underrepresented and lack organized affiliates.
Prizes:
1st prize: 500 USD
2nd prize: 400 USD
3rd prize: 300 USD
Top 10 consolation prizes: 50 USD Each
The basic aim of the competition is to collect photos of cultural heritage to illustrate articles in the worldwide free encyclopedia Wikipedia and other Wikimedia Foundation projects.
Wiki Loves Folklore 2026 will recognize 149 outstanding contributors to the contest. Awards include global and regional prizes for photography, video, and audio.
This media contest celebrates the rich tapestry of folk culture from around the world, featuring categories that include (but are not limited to) folk festivals, dances, music, activities, games, cuisine, clothing, and a wide variety of traditional expressions. These may encompass ballads, folktales, fairy tales, legends, seasonal celebrations, calendar customs, folk arts, folk religion, and mythology.
The Wiki Loves Folklore International media contest serves as a vital catalyst for preserving intangible cultural heritage, in accordance with the 2003 UNESCO Convention. It encourages people from diverse backgrounds to capture and share images representing their cultural heritage, effectively documenting and sharing these intangible aspects of culture. Through visual storytelling, it raises awareness about the importance of cultural practices, rituals, and traditions and promotes community engagement in heritage preservation. By showcasing intangible cultural heritage on Wikimedia Commons, Wiki Loves Folklore ensures its transmission to future generations, making it more accessible and relevant in the modern world while upholding the principles of the 2003 UNESCO Convention.
Since 2019, Wiki Loves Folklore has garnered participation from over 180+ countries. In our ongoing effort, we aim to bring together diverse cultural heritage from around the globe, with a special focus on regions that are often underrepresented and lack organized affiliates.
Prizes:
1st prize: 500 USD
2nd prize: 400 USD
3rd prize: 300 USD
Top 10 consolation prizes: 50 USD Each
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All About Photo Awards 2026
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© Steve McCurry
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 02/15/26
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ENDS 02/17/26
Be Featured in our January 2026 Online Juried Solo Exhibition!
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ENDS 03/01/26
Full Tuition, a Leica camera system on loan for the academic year and an opportunity to present their work at the Leica Store in New York City’s Meatpacking District.
ENDS 03/01/26
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ENDS 03/02/26
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ENDS 03/04/26
Earth Photo 2026 is now open for entries, inviting photographers and filmmakers of all ages, working anywhere in the world, to submit compelling visual stories about our planet.
ENDS 03/04/26
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 03/15/26
‘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 03/21/26
The FORMAT Portfolio Review is returning in 2026. It will take place online on Friday 20 and Saturday 21 March.
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 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 04/16/26
The main grant is open to professional photographers worldwide, one $30,000. grant
ENDS 04/16/26
Emerging Photographers (under 30 year old ) 2 X $ 5000 grants.
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 06/15/26
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.