Submit Your Work

Showcasing work by over 100 artists worldwide each edition, the festival welcomes submissions across the full spectrum of photography, from fine art and conceptual practice to documentary and photojournalism, as well as image-based work that extends into installation, performance, and moving-image.

The Exhibition Program is committed to a broad definition of photography and to the many forms the photographic image can take, from print and projection to photobooks, texts, objects, and hybrid approaches.

Its curatorial framework considers the conditions that shape how images are made, circulated, and interpreted in relation to the social and cultural dynamics of our time. The festival supports diverse curatorial approaches and develops exhibitions in close dialogue with artists and the ideas their work advances.

In 2026, more than 80 artists from around the world will be selected through the open call for the festival’s Exhibition Program, alongside participants in projection presentations, mentoring sessions, and portfolio reviews.

Main Venue

Selected works will be presented at Benaki Museum / Pireos 138 in June–July as part of the Main Program, across more than 3,000 square metres of exhibition space, alongside an expanded program of satellite projects across the city.

Dates

Athens Photo Festival will take place from 10 June to 26 July 2026.

Apply through the online entry form and submit all required entry materials.

Submission Deadline

The submission deadline is 9 March.

Submission Guidelines

Please review the General Guidelines for Submission and Participation before you begin.

Submission review: Your work will be considered for the festival’s exhibition program.
Exhibition opportunity: 80 selected artists will present their work at Benaki Museum / Pireos 138 during Athens Photo Festival.
Production support: The festival will cover production costs for selected works included in the exhibition.
Accommodation: Participating artists receive a two-night stay.
Screening: 20 additional artists will be invited to present work in a dedicated screening event.
Portfolio reviews: 15 selected artists will participate free of charge in the International Portfolio Reviews.
APhF Talent Lab: 5 selected artists will participate free of charge in the Talent Lab, a professional development program for emerging artists.
Digital showcase: Selected artists will be featured on the festival website, in the newsletter, and on the festival’s official Instagram account.
APhRC Artist Residency: One artist will be selected for the Athens Photo Research Center (APhRC) Artist Residency—an initiative of Athens Photo Festival—including a three-week stay, accommodation and travel expenses covered, and a €600 honorarium.
APhF Connect: 50 additional artists from the shortlist will receive one-year access to APhF Connect, a by-invitation platform that presents their work to 100+ international industry professionals.
Free festival admission: All submitting artists receive complimentary entry to Athens Photo Festival.

With a history spanning nearly four decades, Athens Photo Festival offers an established platform for presenting photography and image-based practice to an international public. Each edition expands access and participation, bringing together artists, curators, and cultural professionals through exhibitions, mediation and public programs, talent development, community partnerships, and international initiatives that cultivate new forms of engagement.

The Open Call is a core part of the festival, reflecting a commitment to artistic discovery and helping shape the program across the Main Exhibitions, Satellites, Young Greek Photographers, and the Book Program. Recent editions have attracted submissions from around the world, with more than 90% received from outside Greece; the final selection included 82 artists from 35 countries.

Athens Photo Festival is among the most visited photography events in Europe, welcoming over 60,000 visitors in recent editions. The Main Program takes place in June–July at the Benaki Museum / Pireos 138, offering more than 3,000 square metres of exhibition space for selected projects.

In recent years, the festival has further strengthened its role within the international photographic field, welcoming a growing number of guests each year, including directors, artists, curators, and arts professionals from across the sector.

As an initiative of Athens Photo Festival, the Athens Photo Research Center (APhRC) brings together education, practice-based research, and a community-driven spirit. Conceived as a meeting point for ideas, creative risk-taking, and long-term artistic growth, APhRC is structured around five pillars: the Library & Archive, Education Programs, Research Activities, Artist Residencies, and the Public Program.