F/262 Photo Book Award
From image to object. From story to print.
About the Award
The F/262 Photo Book Award honors the best unpublished photobook project of the year.
It celebrates the book as one of the most intimate and enduring forms of photographic expression — where concept, design, and material come together as narrative.
Each festival edition, one author is selected to receive full production of their photobook, created locally in Portugal in a hand-numbered edition of 262 copies, in partnership with a publishing collaborator and local printers and binders.
The award reflects F/262’s commitment to craftsmanship, sustainability, and creative independence.
VivaLab Collaboration
In collaboration with VivaLab, the F/262 Photo Book Award proposes a practical reflection on the photobook as a cultural, physical and symbolic object.
As part of this initiative, the winning project will be published with a unique cover created from plastics collected through the festival’s environmental actions, including Cuidar as Margens, Cuidar do Campo, and other sustainability initiatives developed throughout the programme. These materials are transformed and reimagined into the physical surface of the book, converting waste into a meaningful, lasting form.
More than a design gesture, this process reflects a conscious approach to production. Discarded materials are given new life and integrated into an object that preserves memory, narrative and artistic vision. The resulting book does not only contain images, it carries within it a story of sustainability, territory and environmental responsibility.
Full local production of the photobook in a limited edition of 262 copies.
Editorial and materials support with the F/262 and publishing partner teams.
ISBN + colophon under F/262 and the publishing collaborator.
Launch + signing event at the F/262 Photo Book Club.
International visibility through the festival’s website, press, and exhibitions.
(Only one winner is selected each festival edition — no secondary prizes or mentions.)
VIVALAB PARTNERSHIP
CONDITION OF ENTRY
By submitting to the F/262 Photo Book Award, applicants acknowledge and agree that, if selected as the winner, their publication will be developed in collaboration with the festival and VivaLab, including the use of recycled plastic materials collected through the festival’s environmental initiatives in the production of the book cover.
Jury
The F/262 Photo Book Award Jury is independent from other festival programs and includes editors, designers, curators, and publishers.
Projects are evaluated for:
Narrative and conceptual strength
Editing, sequence, and design
Production feasibility
Sustainability and innovation
Key Facts
Applications Open: April 7, 2026
Applications Deadline: September 30, 2026
Finalist Dummy Delivery: October 20, 2026
Winner Announced: November 2026
Book Launch: To Be Announced
Entry Fee: €35 per project
TIMELINE
| Phase | Dates | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Open Call (PDF Submission) | Apr 23 – Sep 30, 2026 | Online submission via form on f262.pt. |
| Jury Session (PDF Review) | October 2026 | Jury reviews submitted projects and selects the shortlist. |
| Shortlist Announced | October 2026 | Selected finalists invited to send physical dummies. |
| Dummy Delivery Deadline | Oct 20, 2026 | Finalists’ dummies must arrive in Portugal. |
| Awards Announcement & Finalists Dummies Exhibition | November 2026 | Public announcement of the winner and presentation of the finalists’ dummies. |
| Book Launch & Signing | 2026–2027 | Development and publication of the winning book. |
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted through the official online form at f262.pt.
All requested fields must be completed for your entry to be considered valid.
PDF (max. 15 MB) – 10 to 20 double-page spreads, including cover and title page, containing:
• Synopsis (max. 200 words)
• Short biography (max. 120 words)
JPEG (max. 15 MB) – Author portrait
Payment confirmation – Entry fee of €35 per project
Upload your files and complete payment through the submission form. You will receive a confirmation email with your registration number.
Shortlisted finalists will be invited to submit one physical dummy copy for final jury review.
Dummy delivery deadline: October 20, 2026
• Clearly label the package: “BOOK WITH NO COMMERCIAL VALUE”
• All shipping and customs costs are the responsibility of the applicant
• If you wish your dummy to be returned, please select the return option in the submission form or include a prepaid return envelope
• F/262 cannot assume responsibility for unreturned, delayed, or damaged materials
Terms & Conditions
Eligibility – Open internationally; projects must be unpublished. No individual limit of entries per author (separate fees).
Entry Fee – €35 per project; non-refundable.
Jury Process – Independent panel; decisions final. Criteria: narrative, design, feasibility, sustainability.
Award – Single winner receives production of 262-copy edition; collaboration with F/262 + publisher required
Copyright & Usage – Authors retain all rights; by submitting, entrants authorise promotional use of images and information related to the award and festival.Material Responsibility – Books handled with care, but F/262 is not liable for loss or damage during transport or exhibition. Return shipping is the author’s responsibility.
Acceptance – Submission implies full acceptance of these terms.
FAQ
A book that has not been commercially released or distributed. Self-published editions of ≤ 100 copies or digital editions are still eligible.
No. All entries begin with a PDF submission. Only finalists must send a physical dummy.
Yes. There is no individual limit of entries per author. Each project requires a separate form and fee.
No fixed limits, but projects must be technically feasible for book production.
Yes — text, inserts, and mixed formats are welcome if integral to the concept.
Yes. List all authors; provide one contact email and billing address.
Only if you choose the return option and cover shipping costs.
Yes, but entry fees are non-refundable.
You’ll work directly with F/262 and the publishing partner to finalize production and launch your book at the festival.
You retain authorship and copyright. F/262 and the publisher manage production and initial distribution in agreement with you.
Produced by F/262 & Associação F/SOS
With the support of:
May – September 2026
Caldas da Rainha Portugal
About F/262
F/262 is an international photography festival rooted in Caldas da Rainha, Portugal.
Through exhibitions, talks, education, and public installations, the festival engages contemporary photography with place, community, and the world we share.
©2026 F/262 – Festival Internacional de Fotografia
Produced by Associação F/SOS – Fotografia, Solidariedade e Obras Sociais
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English (UK)