THE ZÉ AWARD - F/262 Festival Internacional de Fotografia Merch

F/262 Photography Award The ZÉ Award

From image to impact. From vision to recognition.

About the Award

The ZÉ Award is the official photography prize of the F/262 International Photography Festival.
It celebrates the single image as a universal language, a spark of storytelling that carries emotion, power, and authorship in its purest form.

Open to photographers worldwide, the award honors work that stands out for its narrative strength, creativity, and contemporary relevance.
Finalists have their photographs printed and exhibited during the F/262 Festival in Caldas da Rainha and Óbidos.
Winners receive the ZÉ Award trophy, inspired by the cultural figure of Zé Povinho, reimagined as a symbol of resilience, humor, and creative independence.

The award reflects the festival’s commitment to accessibility, sustainability, and the belief that great photography belongs everywhere, from the street to the gallery.

Why the ZÉ Award?

The ZÉ Award reflects the spirit of Caldas da Rainha and the voice of the people.
Rooted in the figure of Zé Povinho but reimagined through the lens of photography, ZÉ represents resilience, humor, and the courage to create.

Camera in hand, fist raised, ZÉ is the artist who questions, resists, observes, and tells stories.
The trophy is crafted to feel meaningful, local, tactile, and symbolic a reminder that recognition can be held, shared, and lived with.

More than a prize, it is a connection to place, community, and the ongoing story of the festival.

Key Facts

📅 Submissions open: Soon
⏳ Deadline: February 25, 2026
📣 Finalists announced: April 2026
🖼️ Exhibition: Summer 2026
📦 Print collection: October 2026
💶 Entry fee: €15 per image (no limit of images)

Selected finalists receive:
• Full exhibition printing by F/262 using archival materials
• Outdoor display in Caldas da Rainha + Óbidos during the festival
• Public visibility through the festival, press, catalogue, and online platforms
• Eligibility for all ZÉ Award categories

(Only single images are judged. Each image counts as one entry.)

Eligibility

Open worldwide to photographers, artists, students, and collectives.

No restrictions on nationality, age, theme, or equipment.
Images must be original works created by the applicant.

This is a single-image competition. Series are not accepted.

Images must not have been awarded a major international prize before submission.

Jury

The ZÉ Award Jury is independent and international, composed of photographers, editors, curators, and cultural leaders.
Entries are judged blindly on:
• Narrative strength
• Visual impact
• Originality
• Technical and conceptual coherence
• Relevance to contemporary photography

TIMELINE

Phase	Dates	Description
Open Call	Jan 1 – Mar 15 2026	Submission via the official form at f262.pt
Finalists Announced	April 2026	Selected photographers notified by email
Printing & Preparation	May–June 2026	F/262 prepares exhibition prints
Exhibition Opening	Summer 2026	Outdoor displays in Caldas da Rainha & Óbidos
Print Collection	October 2026	Finalists may collect their printed works

How to Apply

All submissions must be made through the official online platform.

Step 1 – Prepare your materials

• 1–20 images
• JPEG, sRGB, max 5MB
• Title + short caption for each image
• Short bio (≤120 words)
• Website or social handle (optional)
• Payment confirmation (€15 per image)

Step 2 – Submit the online form

Upload your images, complete all required fields, and confirm payment.
You will receive an email with your entry number.

Step 3 – If selected as a finalist

F/262 will contact you to request a high-resolution file or RAW for printing.

All printing and exhibition costs are covered by F/262.
Prints are not returned unless collected in person in October 2026.

Terms & Conditions

Entry
• €15 per image,
• Fees are non-refundable
• Submissions must be completed online

Image Requirements
• Original work by the applicant
• JPEG, sRGB, max 5MB
• No offensive, discriminatory, or illegal content

Usage Rights
• Photographers retain full copyright
• By submitting, applicants grant F/262 a

non-exclusive licence to exhibit and promote selected works for up to three (3) years
• Proper credit will always be given

Exhibition & Prints
• Final prints remain part of the festival archive if not collected
• F/262 is not responsible for unclaimed prints after the collection period

Decisions
• Jury decisions are final
• Duplicate submissions will be disqualified

FAQ

Can I submit the same images I’m entering into other competitions?

Yes. As long as the image does not hold an existing major international award at the time of submission, you may submit it. Participation in other competitions does not affect eligibility.

Can I submit a series as separate single images?

Yes, as long as each image stands on its own. The ZÉ Award is a single-image competition, so each photograph is evaluated individually. You may submit multiple images from the same series, but they will not be judged as a set.

Do I need to be at the festival to participate?

No. Participation does not require physical attendance. If you are a winner or finalist and cannot attend the exhibition or award ceremony, your work will still be included and promoted. Attendance is encouraged but not mandatory.

Does my work need to relate to water?

No. The award is open to all themes. However, we do have a dedicated “Image of Water” category aligned with the festival’s 2026 sub-theme. If your image relates to water, it will automatically be considered for that special award in addition to the main categories.

What happens if I win?

Winners receive the ZÉ Award trophy, an official certificate, international visibility, festival-wide promotion, and inclusion in the outdoor exhibition and festival catalogue. You may also be invited for interviews, features, and future collaborations with F/262.

Can students or collectives apply?

Yes. Students, emerging photographers, established professionals, and collectives are all welcome. Each image must be submitted under a single name, but collective authorship can be credited in the submission form.

Can I edit or replace an image after submission?

No. Once an entry is submitted and confirmed, it cannot be replaced or edited. Please double-check your files before submitting to avoid errors.

Will my image be used for commercial purposes?

No. F/262 will never use your work commercially without a separate written agreement. By entering, you grant the festival a non-exclusive licence to exhibit and promote your image for non-commercial purposes connected to the festival for up to three years. All usage will be properly credited.