The FAF Trampoline is a Portfolio Review that will push your photography career forward (or take it to new heights :).

Meeting with curators, representatives from the press, and institutions from Poland and around the world is an opportunity to present your work to reviewers and, afterwards, to promote your creative projects through exhibitions (galleries, festivals) and publications in the press or in book form.

The FAF Trampoline also helps you gain valuable advice on how to succeed in the field of photography.

The theme of the work is free. If you don’t speak English, we can assist you with translation, or you can meet only with Polish reviewers.

We invite you to participate!

HOW TO PARTICIPATE?

APPLICATION DEADLINE: September 30, 2025.

TIME LEFT TO SUBMIT:

Toby Binder
Germany

The reviewer uses English.
Reviewer assesses only documentary photography.

Winner of numerous awards, including the 6 Mois Prix de Photojournalisme and LensCulture in 2020, the Philip Jones Griffiths Award in 2018, as well as the Sony World Photo Awards and Nannen Preis in 2017. That same year, he received an honorary mention in the UNICEF Photo of the Year competition, an honor he was awarded again in 2021.
His work has been published in Stern, Die Zeit, The Guardian, Le Monde, The Washington Post, Greenpeace Magazin, Amnesty Journal, Neue Zürcher Zeitung, and many other respected media outlets.
In 2019, his first photo book, Wee Muckers, was published by Kehrer Verlag.

Aristide Economopoulos
USA

The reviewer uses English.

For over 20 years, he worked as a photographer for NJ Advance Media, specializing in documentary essays. His coverage spanned conflicts, natural disasters, politics, sports, and local events — even pig wrestling competitions.
He has been named Photographer of the Year eight times by the New York Press Photographers Association and has received numerous prestigious awards, including World Press Photo, Sony World Photo Awards, Pictures of the Year International (POYi), and Casey Medals. In 2005, he was part of a team honored with the Pulitzer Prize.
His photographs from September 11, 2001, won first prize in Pictures of the Year International and were later recognized as some of the most important images of the decade. His work is part of the permanent collection at The National September 11 Memorial Museum and has been exhibited both in the U.S. and internationally. He has spoken at institutions such as the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.
He is a graduate of the Rochester Institute of Technology and previously worked in Illinois and Indiana. He currently lives in Jersey City, New Jersey.

Markus Jokela
Finlandia

The reviewer uses English.

Born in 1952, he lives in Helsinki. He holds a Master’s degree in Social Sciences from the University of Tampere. From 1983 to 1993, he worked as a reporter, then as a photo editor from 1993 to 2001, and later as a photographer for Helsingin Sanomat — the largest newspaper in Helsinki — from 2001 to 2019.
He is a three-time recipient of the Photojournalist of the Year title in Finland (2003, 2015, 2016). He has also received World Press Photo awards: 2nd place in the Daily Life category (1993, 2002), and 3rd place in the Long Term Projects category (2017).

Viktor Kolář
Czechy

The reviewer uses English.

He developed an interest in photography as a child, inspired by his father — a photographer and owner of a photography store. After graduating from the Pedagogical Institute in Ostrava in 1964, he worked as a teacher and later as a librarian.
Following the invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968, he emigrated to Canada, where he worked until 1973 in various roles — including in mines, steel plants, and as a photojournalist. Upon returning to Ostrava, he worked as a laborer, a theater set decorator, and, since 1984, as an independent photographer. Since 1994, he has taught at the Academy of Fine Arts in Prague, becoming a professor in 2005.
He has held numerous solo exhibitions around the world — including in New York, San Francisco, Montreal, Lausanne, Amsterdam, Prague, Brno, and Hanover. In 1991, he received the prestigious Mother Jones Foundation Award. His works are held in major institutions, including the Victoria and Albert Museum, ICP in New York, and the Art Institute of Chicago.

Wojciech Kukuczka
Polska

The reviewer uses Polish.

A graduate of the Technical School of Photography, the Academy of Fine Arts in Wrocław, and a student of Visual Communication at AKI in the Netherlands. In 2017, he earned a PhD in Fine Arts from the University of Silesia. He has participated in over 70 exhibitions, including more than 30 solo shows — among them at BWA Bielsko-Biała, in Wrocław, at ZPAF in Warsaw, and at festivals in Łódź and Cannes.
In 2010, he received an award for the best Polish film at the Mountain Film Review in Lądek-Zdrój. He is the founder of Galeria Negatyw in Katowice, president of the “Wielki Człowiek” Foundation, and initiator of the charity campaign “3440 Meters Above the Level of the World.”
He has curated over 30 exhibitions, including shows of Zdzisław Beksiński and Nadar. He runs original photography, animation, and fine arts workshops. He has completed numerous cultural projects supported by grants and public funding. A scholarship holder and recipient of many awards, he has been honored four times as a Young Cultural Creator by the City of Katowice.

Tomasz Liboska
Polska

The reviewer uses Polish.

Born in 1976 in Cieszyn. Photographer and documentarian. He graduated from the Institute of Creative Photography at the University of Silesia in Opava (Czech Republic) and studied Ethnology at the University of Silesia in Katowice.
Author of photographic publications Cut it Short (Kehrer Verlag, 2021, co-authored with Michał Solarski) and Odwrót (Pix House, 2018).
He has participated in many exhibitions and photography festivals both in Poland and abroad. His work has been showcased at events such as the Krakow Photomonth, Hereford Photography Festival, New York Photo Festival, Athens Photo Festival, and Belfast Photo Festival.

Katarzyna Łata
Polska

The reviewer uses Polish.

A visual artist, photographer, curator, and academic lecturer. Graduate of the Academy of Fine Arts in Kraków (Faculty of Graphic Arts in Katowice, 1999). She works in the field of visual arts and has been actively involved in promoting photography for many years. Curator of four Galleries of the City of Gardens in Katowice and initiator of the Gallery Night (NOC-K).
Member of ZPAP (Association of Polish Artists and Designers) since 1999, ZPAF (Association of Polish Art Photographers) since 2000, a member of the ZPAF Artistic Council since 2017, and since 2023, Vice-President of the FOTArtprojekt Association. From 2000 to 2017, she managed the KATOWICE ZPAF Gallery and also served as president of the Silesian District of ZPAF. She coordinated the “CreArt” project in Katowice (2017–2022).
Author of numerous solo and group exhibitions, photographic happenings, and books about photography. Curator of over 400 exhibitions and juror of many competitions. Recipient of the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage Award (2010) and the Bronze Medal “Gloria Artis – Meritorious for Polish Culture” (2017). Her works are included in collections such as the National Museum in Kraków and the Silesian Museum in Katowice.

Zbigniew Podsiadło
Polska

The reviewer uses Polish.

Born in 1955 in the Ponidzie region. He lives and works in Sosnowiec. Member of the Association of Polish Art Photographers (ZPAF). Since 2004, he has served as president of the Mountain District of ZPAF and is a member of the ZPAF Main Board.
He is a multiple award winner of important photography competitions and exhibitions. For his artistic achievements, he has received numerous honors. He is a member of the Board of the Photography Center Foundation and the Program Council of the Art Center, Sielecki Castle. He also serves on the Culture Council of the city of Sosnowiec.
He has participated in over 200 international and national exhibitions and authored several solo thematic exhibitions. In recognition of his outstanding creative achievements, Zbigniew Podsiadło was awarded the Silver Medal “Gloria Artis – Meritorious for Polish Culture” by the Minister of Culture.

Susi Belianska
Slovakia, Italy

The reviewer uses English.

A visual artist and photographer, who blends portraiture with intricate visual storytelling, weaving layers of emotion, light, and the passage of time.
She collaborates with leading international brands and renowned publications, including Vogue Italia, GQ, The Financial Times, and L’Officiel. Her work has been showcased at prestigious events such as the Xposure International Photography Festival in Sharjah (2024) and the Cannes Fashion Photography Festival.
In 2024, she was invited by the global brand Huawei to serve as a judge for the prestigious Huawei XMAGE Awards, an international photography competition.
Her achievements include winning the Nikon Talent Photo Contest (2013), with her work exhibited during Artissima and shortlisted for the Sony World Photography Awards (2012). She has also participated in renowned festivals such as the Ancona Photo Festival (2021) and the Grenze Photo Festival (2022).

Ingmar Björn Nolting
Germany

The reviewer uses English.

Born in 1995, lives and works as a freelance photographer in Leipzig, Germany. He holds a Master’s Degree in Photography from the University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Dortmund. He is a member of Laif Agency, the founding member of DOCKS collective and a regular contributor to The New York Times. In his recents works, Ingmar condenses the moods and conditions of German society. With his restrained, stage-like images, he describes and explores the complex interconnections of environment, politics, and social dynamics. Ingmar’s work has been awarded and exhibited internationally.

Waldemar Śliwczyński
Poland

The reviewer uses Polish.

Born in 1958. Documentary photographer, member of ZPAF, and author of award-winning and distinguished photographic books: Silence, Topography of Silence, 808.2 km. Publisher and editor-in-chief of Kwartalnik Fotografia.

– promotion of photographic creativity, providing participants with the opportunity to present their work to curators and industry representatives –

– supporting the development of a photography career by offering valuable advice and opportunities to establish professional connections –

Among the participants of the Trampoline, one author will be selected to have the opportunity for a solo exhibition.

1. Organizer
1.1. The organizer of the Portfolio Review – Trampoline FAF is the Foundation Center for Photography, organizing the event as part of the FotoArtFestival in Bielsko-Biała.

2. Goals and Benefits
2.1. Participation in the Portfolio Review – Trampoline FAF offers an opportunity for the development of a photography career through meetings with professionals such as exhibition curators, gallery owners, press representatives, and publishers from Poland and abroad.
2.2. Participants have the chance to receive valuable advice, establish industry connections, and have the opportunity for a solo exhibition or publication of their work.

3. Submission Conditions
3.1. To participate in Trampolina, submit an application via email to info@fotoartfestival.com, including your name, surname, and 10 works on the same theme created by the participant.
3.2. The application is free of charge and is the first step of recruitment.

4.2. If the event is canceled, the fee will be refunded.

5. Deadlines
5.1. The deadline for submissions and payments is September 30, 2025.
5.2. Participants who do not make the payment after being accepted will not be able to participate in the meetings with the reviewers.
5.3. Qualified participants are asked to provide their place of residence (without full address).

6. Selection of Reviewers
6.1. Participants may submit three preferences for reviewers they would like to meet. The organizers will try to accommodate these choices but do not guarantee all preferences will be fulfilled.

7. Meetings with Reviewers
7.1. The meeting with a reviewer lasts 20 minutes.
7.2. The number of participants and meetings (maximum of 3) is limited, and acceptance is based on the order of submission.

8. Portfolio Preparation
8.1. The portfolio should be prepared according to general industry standards. It may be a collection of high-quality photographic prints or a presentation on a laptop.
8.2. The recommended number of works is a maximum of 25, with all works related to the same theme.

9. Invitation to FotoArtFestival
9.1. Trampoline participants will receive a free invitation to the FotoArtFestival Opening Ceremony (October 10, 7:00 PM) and the banquet.
9.2. The banquet offers an opportunity for informal conversations with reviewers and other artists.
9.3. The invitation can be collected at the Festival Center on the opening day of the Festival.

10. Main Prize
10.1. Reviewers will select one participant whose work will be presented in a solo exhibition at the B&B Photography Gallery or during the next edition of the FotoArtFestival.
10.2. Results will be announced on the websites and during the Author Marathon.

11. Refund of Fee
11.1. The participation fee for Trampoline is non-refundable, even in case of the participant’s absence.

12. Accommodation
12.1. Participants are responsible for organizing their accommodation in Bielsko-Biała.

13. Consent for Use of Works
13.1. Participation in the event means consent for the presentation of works as part of the Festival and the use of the participant’s name in promotional materials for the event.

14. Personal Data
14.1. The administrator of personal data is the Foundation Center for Photography.
14.2. Submission of participation indicates consent for the processing of personal data.
14.3. Personal data may be used for communication related to the Festival.
14.4. Providing personal data is voluntary but necessary for participation in the event.
14.5. Participants have the right to access and correct their personal data.

15. Final Provisions
15.1. The final interpretation of the rules belongs to the organizer of the Portfolio Review.
15.2. Submitting works is equivalent to accepting these rules.