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F/262 Photography Awards

From image to impact. From vision to recognition.

About the Awards

The F/262 Photography Awards are the official awards program of the F/262 International Photography Festival.

They celebrate contemporary photography as a tool for storytelling, authorship, and cultural reflection, across different practices, generations, and themes.

Open to photographers worldwide, the awards recognise work that stands out for its visual strength, originality, and relevance today.

Selected finalists have their work printed and exhibited during the F/262 Festival in Caldas da Rainha and Óbidos, Portugal.

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

Award Categories

The F/262 Photography Awards currently include the following categories:

  •  
  • — F/262 Photography Award
    Gold, Silver, and Bronze distinctions for outstanding photography

  •  
  • — ZÉ Award
    Creative Award celebrating originality, authorship, and symbolic strength

  •  
  • — NextGen Award
    Supporting emerging photographers and early-career voices

  •  
  • — Thematic Award – “Moldar as Margens \ Shaping Shores.”
    Highlighting work engaging with the festival’s 2026 theme of water and the environment.

 

*Additional categories and sponsor-supported awards may be introduced in future editions.

About the Award: The ZÉ Award

The ZÉ Award is a creative distinction within the F/262 Photography Awards, focused on the expressive and symbolic power of the single image.

Open to photographers worldwide, it recognises images that stand out for their originality, narrative clarity, and contemporary relevance. Selected finalists have their work printed and exhibited during the F/262 International Photography Festival in Caldas da Rainha and Óbidos.

The award’s trophy is inspired by the cultural figure of Zé Povinho, reimagined as a symbol of creative independence, resilience, and critical observation.

The ZÉ Award reflects the festival’s commitment to accessibility and the belief that strong photographic voices can emerge anywhere, from the street to the gallery.

Why the ZÉ Award?

The ZÉ Award reflects the spirit of place and the idea of photography as a voice shaped by everyday experience.

Rooted in the figure of Zé Povinho and reimagined through photography, ZÉ represents resilience, humour, and the courage to create.

Camera in hand, ZÉ is the artist who observes, questions, and tells stories.
The trophy is designed to feel local, tactile, and symbolic, a reminder that recognition can be held, shared, and connected to lived experience.

More than a prize, the ZÉ Award is a link between image, 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)

Finalist Benefits

All selected finalists receive professional exhibition support and public visibility as part of the F/262 International Photography Festival.

Selected finalists receive:

  • Full exhibition printing by F/262 using archival materials

  • Outdoor display in Caldas da Rainha and Óbidos during the festival

  • Public visibility through the festival, press coverage, catalogue, and online platforms

  • Eligibility for all ZÉ Award prize categories

image By Jorge Bacelar 

Prizes & Recognition

All winners of the F/262 Photography Awards receive exhibition, production, and professional support as part of the F/262 International Photography Festival.

All selected winners are exhibited during the festival in Caldas da Rainha and Óbidos, and benefit from public visibility through the festival’s exhibitions, press, catalogue, and online platforms.

Prizes are cumulative and may include fine art printing, professional equipment, software tools, and exhibition support.
Additional prizes and partners will be announced progressively.

F/262 Photography Award

Gold · Silver · Bronze

Exhibition & Visibility (All Winners)

All Gold, Silver, and Bronze winners receive:

  • Exhibition during the F/262 International Photography Festival

  • Inclusion in the winners’ gallery and festival programme

  • Public visibility through press, catalogue, and digital platforms


🥇 Gold Winner

The Gold Winner receives the following prize package:

  • Fine art print
    One 50 × 70 cm print of the winning image, produced using archival materials and Fujifilm papers

  • Printing support
    500 € printing voucher provided by KOYLAB

  • Professional camera strap
    BlackRapid Sport X

  • Environmental camera protection
    Outex Camera Pro Kit

  • Software & workflow support
    One-year SmartAlbums All-Apps Bundle subscription


🥈 Silver Winner

The Silver Winner receives the following prize package:

  • Fine art print
    One 50 × 70 cm print of the winning image, produced using archival materials and Fujifilm papers

  • Printing support
    400 € printing voucher provided by KOYLAB

  • Professional camera strap
    BlackRapid Blackline I

  • Software & workflow support
    One-year SmartAlbums Plus subscription


🥉 Bronze Winner

The Bronze Winner receives the following prize package:

  • Fine art print
    One 50 × 70 cm print of the winning image, produced using archival materials and Fujifilm papers

  • Printing support
    300 € printing voucher provided by KOYLAB

  • Professional camera strap
    BlackRapid Classic Retro RS-4

  • Software & workflow support
    One-year SmartAlbums Plus subscription

ZÉ AWARD CREATIVE AWARD

The ZÉ Award recognises originality, authorship, and symbolic strength in photography.

ZÉ Award Winner receives:

  • Exhibition during the F/262 International Photography Festival

  • Fine art exhibition print produced by the festival

  • One-year SmartAlbums All-Apps Bundle subscription

  • Public visibility through festival exhibitions, press, catalogue, and online platforms

Shaping Shores / Moldar as Margens

The Shaping Shores Award highlights work engaging with the festival’s 2026 theme of water.

Shaping Shores Winner receives:

  • Exhibition during the F/262 International Photography Festival

  • Fine art exhibition print produced by the festival

  • Environmental camera protection
    Outex Camera Entry Kit

  • Public visibility through festival exhibitions, press, catalogue, and online platforms

Eligibility

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

There are no restrictions on nationality, age, theme, or equipment.
All submissions must be original works created by the applicant.

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

Images submitted must not have previously received a major international award.

Notes

Printing vouchers may be used across multiple orders and cannot be fully redeemed in a single order

  • Prize packages may evolve as new partners join the festival

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

PhaseDatesDescription
Open Call Jan 1 – Mar 15 2026Submission via the official form at f262.pt
Finalists AnnouncedApril 2026Selected photographers notified by email
Printing & PreparationMay–June 2026 F/262 prepares exhibition prints
Exhibition OpeningSummer 2026Outdoor displays in Caldas da Rainha & Óbidos
Print Collection October 2026Finalists 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.