1. GENERAL CONDITIONS

1.1 The F/262 Photography Awards celebrate outstanding imagery from photographers worldwide.

1.2 The competition is organised by F/SOS – Fotografia, Solidariedade e Obras Sociais Association (Non-Profit Organisation/NGO). All proceeds from entry fees go directly to supporting the association’s cultural and social missions.

1.3 By submitting an entry, the participant (“Entrant”) confirms they have read and accepted these Rules.

2. ENTRY FEES & SUBMISSION

2.1 Participation in the competition requires an entry fee, payable via the official platform:

• Early Bird: €15.00
• Standard Entry: €25.00

2.2 Fees are non-refundable and must be paid to the F/SOS Association during the submission process.

2.3 Entries are only considered valid after the confirmation of payment.

3. AWARDS & DISTINCTIONS

The jury will grant excellence across the following categories:

• F/262 Gold, Silver, and Bronze Awards: Overall top three photographs.
• ZÉ Award (Creativity Prize): For outstanding originality and conceptual innovation.
• Shaping Shores Award: Thematic prize responding to the festival’s annual theme.
• NextGen Award: Recognizing emerging talent (under 25 or students).

4. ELIGIBILITY & AUTHENTICITY

4.1 Open to all photographers worldwide. Entrants must be the sole author and copyright holder of the submitted work.

4.2 AI Policy: All images must originate from a photograph captured with a camera. Images entirely generated by AI are strictly prohibited. The jury may request RAW or original source files for verification.

5. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

5.1 Format: JPEG/JPG | Color: sRGB | Size: Min 5MB / Max 10MB.

5.2 Images must be of high resolution to allow for large-format exhibition printing.

6. EXHIBITION & PRINTING

6.1 Selected works will be printed by the Festival at the highest professional quality at no cost to the photographer.

6.2 Works will be exhibited in outdoor installations and public spaces during the F/262 Festival.

7. PRINT COLLECTION

7.1 Photographers may collect their physical prints in person during the designated period in October.

7.2 No Shipping: For logistical reasons, the festival cannot ship prints. Uncollected prints will join the F/SOS non-commercial archive.

8. COPYRIGHT & USAGE RIGHTS

8.1 Photographers retain 100% copyright ownership of their images.

8.2 By entering, the participant grants the F/262 Festival a non-exclusive license to use the images for exhibition, promotion, and festival-related publications. No commercial use unrelated to the festival will be made without explicit consent.

9. FINAL PROVISIONS

9.1 Participation implies full acceptance of these rules. Any disputes will be governed by Portuguese law.