NEXT GEN Award
Celebrating the photographers of tomorrow
The NEXT GEN Award is a global platform for young visual storytellers. Whether you are picking up a camera for the first time or developing your early-career voice, this category is designed to bring your vision to the international stage at the F/262 Photography Festival.
Eligibility & Entry Fees
The NEXT GEN Award is divided into two age categories based on the photographer’s age at the time the image was taken.
1. Junior (Aged 16 and Under)
Entry Fee: FREE
- Requirement: You must upload a proof of age (ID/Passport) in PDF format in the “Supporting Document (PDF)” field.
Submission Limit: Min. 1 image / Max. 3 images per participant.
2. Emerging (Aged 17 to 25)
Entry Fee: €5 per image (Special discounted rate).
Requirement: You must upload a proof of age (ID/Passport) in PDF format in the “Supporting Document (PDF)” field.
Submission Limit: Min. 1 image / Max. 5 images per participant.
INSTAX MINI EVO CINEMA
The NEXT GEN Award is an open call, meaning you can submit work on any subject (portraits, landscapes, street, experimental).
However, we encourage you to engage with this year’s sub-theme: Shaping Shores/ Moldar as Margens. Whether it’s environmental, symbolic, or part of daily life, show us your interpretation of “Shaping Shores / Moldar as Margens”.
Prizes & Recognition
Gold
.
Gold
- Festival Exhibition (2026)
- INSTAX MINI EVO CINEMA
- 450€ Rotary Prize
- 250€ KOYLAB voucher
- BLACKRAPID Double X
- 3-Month SmartAlbums All Apps
Silver
- Festival Exhibition (2026)
- 200€ Rotary Prize
- 150€ KOYLAB voucher
BLACKRAPID Camera Leash
- 3-Month SmartAlbums Plus
Bronze
Bronze
Bronze- Festival Exhibition (2026)
- 100€ Rotary Prize
- 100€ KOYLAB voucher
BLACKRAPID Camera Leash
- 3-Month SmartAlbums Plus
Shortlisted Finalists (Up to 10)
Technical Requirements
Format: JPEG, sRGB colour model.
Size: Between 3MB and 15MB.
Device: Any device is welcome (Professional cameras, analogue, or mobile phones).
Verification: A high-resolution file will be requested if your work is shortlisted for printing.
Ready to submit?
Ensure you have your Proof of Age (PDF) ready before starting the form.
Submissions Open: April 7
Deadline for Entries: August 19
Jury Period: August 20 – September
Shortlist & Winner Announcement: September
Winning Exhibition at CEF: October – November
NEXT GEN Award – Competition Rules
1.1 By entering the Competition, you hereby accept these Competition Rules and the Terms & Conditions.
1.2 The NEXT GEN Award is open to photographers aged 25 and under at the time of submission.
1.3 Entries must be submitted between April 7 and August 19, 2026 (World Photography Day).
1.4 By entering the Competition, you agree and acknowledge that ASSOCIAÇÃO F/SOS – FOTOGRAFIA, SOLIDARIEDADE E OBRAS SOCIAIS is permitted to receive and process your registration data for the purposes of administering the Competition.
2.1 To enter, you must upload your images via the official F/262 Festival website.
2.2 Entrants may submit between one (1) and five (5) single images. Judging is based on single images.
2.3 Age Categories & Fees:
Aged 16 & Under: Entry is Free.
Aged 17 to 25: Entry is €5 per image
- 2.4 Mandatory Documentation: All entrants must upload a proof of age (ID, Passport, or Birth Certificate) in PDF format in the “Supporting Document” field of the entry form.
2.5 All genres and styles are welcome. The sub-theme “Water / Shaping Shores” is suggested as inspiration but is not a mandatory requirement. 2.6 Image files must be: JPEG format, between 1MB and 15MB, saved in sRGB colour model.
3.1 A shortlist of up to 10 photographers will be selected by the jury following the close of submissions on August 19, 2026.
3.2 One photographer will be awarded the title NEXT GEN Photographer of the Year 2026.
3.3 All shortlisted photographers will receive visibility through the F/262 Festival’s communication channels, press coverage, and online platforms.
3.4 The overall winner will be awarded a dedicated solo exhibition at the CEF – Centro de Experimentação Fotográfica, taking place in October–November 2026.
4.1 Entrants retain full copyright of their images.
4.2 By entering, you grant F/262 a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use submitted images for up to three (3) years for the promotion of the Award and the Festival.
4.3 All images used will carry a photographer’s credit line wherever reasonably possible.
Overall Winner
Title of NEXT GEN Photographer of the Year.
Individual exhibition at F/262 Festival.
Trophy, Certificate, and Global press exposure.
Shortlisted Finalists (Up to 9)
Participation in the NEXT GEN Group Exhibition.
Official Finalist Certificate and Festival Catalogue feature.
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)