Encontros Da Imagem Award 2026

Encontros da Imagem is one of Europe's longer-running photography festivals, founded in 1991 in Braga, Portugal. The 2026 edition is the festival's 36th, running September 18 through November 1, 2026 across multiple cities in northern Portugal. The festival's main award and its photobook award (separately covered) are the two flagship prize tracks.

The 2026 theme is "Territory and Identity" — though the open call explicitly does not require submitted work to align with the theme. Selection is based on coherent narrative structure rather than thematic fit.

The selection structure is layered. The grand prize winner receives €2,000 cash. Three projects (including the grand prize winner) are selected for solo exhibitions during the festival. Seventeen additional projects are included in a collective video screening — bringing total recognized projects to 20.

The 2026 jury comprises Arianna Catania (independent curator and photo editor), Alexia Alexandropoulou (independent curator), and Arianna Rinaldo (independent curator and photography consultant who has appeared on multiple Italian/Portuguese juries throughout 2026).

Eligibility is open globally to artists 18 and over. Each applicant submits up to 3 projects, with each project containing 15 to 20 images and a brief synopsis. Work must have been produced within the last five years. Both photographic and video practices are eligible. Entry fee is €35 per submission. Submissions go through Picter; the deadline is May 10, 2026 at 9:59 PM.