Golden Turtle International Wildlife Festival 2026
Golden Turtle International Wildlife Festival is an annual international wildlife photography competition based in Russia. The 2026 edition runs across 12 categories: Animals in the Environment, Portrait of the Animal, Animal Behaviour, Microcosm, Underwater World, Art and Nature's Image, Landscape, Magic of Plants, Humans and Nature, Reserved Russia, Mobile Photography, and Youth (with two age groups).
Technical and ethical rules are strict: no zoo photography (except in the Humans and Nature category), no composites or montage, no AI-generated work. RAW files are required from semifinalists for verification.
Top prize is $2,000. Finalists are exhibited in Moscow in autumn 2026 and published in the festival album.
The 2026 jury is built from international wildlife photographers: Andrey Kamenev (National Geographic Russia), Gheorghe Popa (Romania), Mario Suárez Porras (Canon Pro Master, Spain), Cynthia Bandurek (Argentina/Costa Rica), Fernando Faciole (National Geographic Explorer, Brazil), Francesco Pacienza (Italy), and Anthony Ochieng (National Geographic Explorer, Kenya).
Eligibility is open globally. Each photographer may submit up to 20 photos. Application is free, made through the Golden Turtle website. The 2026 deadline was April 7.
Jury: Andrey Kamenev, National Geographic Russia Photographer · Gheorghe Popa, Nature/Landscape Photographer (Romania) · Mario Suárez Porras, Canon Pro Master, Bird Photographer (Spain) · Cynthia Bandurek, Macro/Wildlife Photographer (Argentina/Costa Rica) · Fernando Faciole, National Geographic Explorer, Conservation Photographer (Brazil) · Francesco Pacienza, Underwater Photographer (Italy) · Anthony Ochieng, National Geographic Explorer, Wildlife Photographer (Kenya)
Organized by Golden Turtle