Foto Open is an open photography competition organized as part of the Foto Art Festival. It is a unique opportunity for photography enthusiasts, both professionals and amateurs, to showcase their work to a wide audience.

Each edition of FotoOpen attracts hundreds of submissions from all corners of the world, highlighting the diversity of styles, themes, and photographic techniques.

The winning author will receive the opportunity to organize a solo exhibition at the B&B Photography Gallery or during the next Foto Art Festival.

We invite you to participate!

HOW TO PARTICIPATE?

APPLICATION DEADLINE: AUGUST 25, 2025

TIME LEFT TO SUBMIT:

– providing photographers with the opportunity to showcase their work to a wider audience –

– facilitating the exchange of experiences and creating opportunities for establishing new connections within the photography community –

– promoting artists –

Among the participants of the FotoOpen group exhibition, presented during the FotoArtFestival, one author will be selected to have a solo exhibition at the B&B Photography Gallery or at the next FotoArtFestival.

FotoOpen 2025 Jury

The winner will be chosen based on the photos accepted for the exhibition by:

– Inez Baturo (the president of the Foundation Centre of Photography) –

– Zbigniew Podsiadło (the president of the Mountain Division of the Union of Polish Artists Photographers) –

The information about who will receive the prize of a solo exhibition at the next FotoArtFestival or at the B&B Photography Gallery will be announced during the Author Marathon on October 11.

1. Organizer

1.1. The organizer of the FotoOpen exhibition is the Foundation Center for Photography.
1.2. FotoOpen is an international exhibition accompanying the FotoArtFestival.

2. Participation
2.1. The FotoOpen exhibition is open to all photographers, without any restrictions.
2.2. The theme of the submitted works is open.

3. Submissions
3.1. To participate, submit your proposal in digital form (a maximum of 5 photos) to the email address: info@fotoartfestival.com.
3.2. Photos must be in low resolution and visible directly in the email content. Links or compressed attachments are not accepted at this stage.
3.3. Submission deadline: by August 25, 2025.

4. Selection and acceptance of works
4.1. From the 5 submitted photos, the organizer will select 1, which will be presented at the exhibition.
4.2. After the chosen work is accepted, the participant must:

• Make the payment,
• Submit an email with the following details: name, surname, title of the work, and place of residence (town name, country).

5. Fees
5.1. The participation fee for the exhibition is 79 PLN and is required after the work is accepted by the organizer.
5.2. The payment must be made by August 30, 2025, to the following account:
Foundation Center for Photography
PKO BP 49 1020 1390 0000 6702 0139 4865
Payment title: FotoOpen
5.3. In the event of cancellation of the event, the fee will be refunded.

6. Preparing works for the exhibition
6.1. Selected photos must be delivered in physical form, no larger than 52 cm x 52 cm (including the frame). The proportions are open.
6.2. The works must be exhibition-ready, i.e.:

• Framed or mounted on appropriate backing,
• Equipped with two hangers symmetrically placed on one side.

6.3. The frame can be of any type, but without glass (plexiglass is allowed).
6.4. Each work must be clearly signed with the author’s name, surname, and title (on the front, visible to viewers). Please DO NOT attach tags (they fall off). Ensure the signature is readable and visible on the passepartout or photo. Works without signatures will not be exhibited, even if the payment has been made.
6.5. Unframed, poorly framed, unsigned works or those delivered after the deadline will not be accepted, even if the payment has been made.

7. Delivering works
7.1. Completed works should be delivered in person or by post to:
B&B Photography Gallery
1 Maja 12
43-300 Bielsko-Biała
7.2. Work reception hours:
Tuesday–Friday: 10:00–18:00,
Porter’s office: Monday–Friday, 9:00–20:00.
7.3. Works should be properly secured (e.g., with bubble wrap or stretch film).

8. FotoOpen Catalog
8.1. Participants who wish to be included in the exhibition catalog must pay an additional fee of 150 PLN by August 30, 2025.
8.2. Digital files of the selected photos for the catalog (300 dpi, A4 format, CMYK/Grey, TIFF or JPG) should be sent to: info@fotoartfestival.com.
8.3. The file should be named according to the following format: LastName_FirstName_Title.jpg.
The deadline for submitting the file for printing is August 30, 2025.
8.4. Participants who have paid the fee (PLN 150) can receive one free copy of the FotoOpen finalists catalogue (to be collected at the Festival Center). Information about where the competition work is exhibited will also be available at the Festival Centre.

9. Participation without the catalog
9.1. You can participate in FotoOpen without being listed in the catalog, but with a participation fee.

10. Return of works
10.1. Works will be returned upon the participant’s request, after prior email notification to the organizer. Return shipping costs are borne by the participant.
10.2. Works not picked up by December 29, 2025, may be destroyed.

11. Organizer’s responsibility
11.1. The organizer is not responsible for any damage, loss, or delay of works during postal or other shipping.

12. Use of works
12.1. The organizer reserves the right to use the submitted works free of charge for promotional, informational, and advertising purposes (press, internet, television, print, etc.).

13. Personal data
13.1. By submitting an application, the participant accepts the rules and gives consent for the processing of their personal data by the Foundation Center for Photography (data administrator).
13.2. Providing personal data is voluntary but necessary to participate in the exhibition.
13.3. The participant has the right to access and correct their personal data.

14. Final provisions
14.1. The list of exhibition participants will be published on the Festival website.
14.2. The final interpretation of the regulations rests with the organizer.
14.3. Submitting works is equivalent to accepting these regulations.