FORMAT27 Open Call — PLAY

The FORMAT International Photography Festival in Derby, UK, invites exhibition and event proposals worldwide for its 2027 biennale on the theme 'PLAY' — experimentation, improvisation, and rule-breaking, from fun and exploration to questions of authorship and the politics of images. Open to artists, collectives, and curators working across documentary, multimedia, VR, moving image, installation, publications, performance, and participatory projects. Up to five projects are selected from around 250 shortlisted entries by FORMAT curators and an international jury. Selected artists exhibit at FORMAT27 (March 11 – April 11, 2027), receive a £1,000 artist fee plus up to £300 travel and accommodation during the launch weekend, and join a London group show at Photofusion Gallery in May 2027. Additional awards include a £2,500 production grant, a £1,000 printing credit, and exhibition opportunities at the Glaz (France) and Lishui (China) festivals.