1. General

1.1 By entering the Competition, you hereby accept these Competition Rules and the Terms & Conditions.
1.2 Entry is free.
1.2.1 The NEXT GEN Award is open to all members of the public aged 19 and under at the time the image was taken.
1.3 Entries must be submitted between 15 December 2025 and 30 March 2026 at 13:00 (GMT).
1.4 By entering the Competition, you agree and acknowledge that F/262 – Associação Plataforma de Fotografia Contemporânea is permitted to receive your registration data. All personal information will be used by F/262 in accordance with its Privacy Policy.

2. How to Enter

2.1 To enter, you must upload your images via the official F/262 Festival website and follow the on-screen instructions carefully.
2.2 Entrants can submit up to three (3) single images. Judging is based on single images, not series.
2.3 Images may be taken at any time, as long as the photographer was under 19 at the time of capture.
2.4 All genres and styles are welcome, but entries must reflect the sub-theme: Water.
2.5 Images may have been published, exhibited, or entered into other competitions.
2.6 Image files must be:

• JPEG format

• No smaller than 1MB and no larger than 5MB

• Saved in sRGB colour model
  2.7 If shortlisted, entrants may be required to provide a high-resolution file (at least 5MB, 300dpi) suitable for exhibition printing.

3. Judging & Selection

3.1 A shortlist of 10 photographers will be selected by the jury between March–April 2026.
3.2 One photographer will be awarded the title NEXT GEN Photographer of the Year.
3.3 All shortlisted photographers will be featured in the NEXT GEN Group Exhibition during the F/262 Festival.
3.4 The overall winner will also be awarded an individual exhibition.
3.5 Winners and finalists will be notified by email.
3.6 The decision of the jury and F/262 is final and no negotiation will be entered into.

4. Image Integrity & Manipulation

4.1 Entries must originate from a photograph (analogue or digital). Computer-generated images will not be accepted.
4.2 Manipulation is allowed but must be described in the entry form. Entrants may be asked to provide original files for verification.
4.3 F/262 reserves the right to disqualify any entry that does not comply with the rules.

5. Copyright & Usage Rights

5.1 Entrants retain full copyright of their images.
5.2 By entering, you grant F/262 a non-exclusive, royalty-free licence to use submitted images for up to three (3) years after the competition in connection with the promotion of:

• The NEXT GEN Award

• The F/262 Photography Festival

• You, the photographer
  5.3 Permitted uses include:

• Judging the competition

• Festival exhibitions (print and/or digital)

• Festival website, social media, and catalogues

• Press releases and media promotion of the award/festival

• Marketing and educational materials connected to F/262
  5.4 All images used will carry a photographer credit line wherever reasonably possible.

6. Eligibility & Permissions

6.1 If you are under 16, you must provide signed parental or guardian consent to participate.
6.2 You confirm you are the sole author and owner of your images and have secured all necessary permissions (including model releases, property rights, and animal welfare).

7. Liability

7.1 F/262 assumes no responsibility for technical issues, corrupted files, or lost submissions.
7.2 Entrants are responsible for ensuring that submissions meet the technical requirements.

8. Prizes

Overall Winner

• Title of NEXT GEN Photographer of the Year

• Individual exhibition at F/262 Festival

• Trophy and Certificate

• Global press exposure

• Featured in the Festival Catalogue

• Promotion across F/262 platforms

Shortlisted Finalists (9)

• Participation in the NEXT GEN Group Exhibition

• Certificate

• Featured in the Festival Catalogue

• Promotion on F/262 online channels

9. Announcements

9.1 Shortlist will be announced in April 2026.
9.2 The overall winner will be revealed during the F/262 Festival Awards Ceremony.