What We Are Looking For

Υou may submit:

• Self-published photobooks

• Books published in collaboration with a publishing house

• Zines or dummy photobooks (fully developed proposals, even if not officially published)

There is no thematic restriction. However, we strongly value projects with a clear visual identity, coherent narrative structure, and a contemporary photographic language.

How to Apply

Submissions must be completed through the online application form on our website.

You will be asked to upload:

• A PDF file of the book (full version or complete layout/spreads)

• A short flip-through video of the book (up to 2 minutes, provided as a YouTube, Vimeo, WeTransfer, SwissTransfer link, etc.)
  If you submit a time-limited transfer link, it must remain active for at least 15 days after submission.

• One or more photographs of the physical object (cover, spreads, details, etc.)

Supporting Information

• Book title

• Project description, up to 150 words

• Technical specifications, dimensions, number of pages, printing method

• Artist details, name, email, country of residence

A physical copy is not mandatory at this stage. However, selected participants will be required to send one physical copy of the book for the exhibition.

Submission Deadline

Final deadline: Tuesday, March 31, 2026 at 23:59 (GMT)

Submissions are free of charge.

No applications will be accepted after 23:59 on Tuesday, March 31.

Selection & Exhibition

• The jury committee will select photobooks to be presented in the group exhibition as part of VAiF26, taking place in November 2026 in Thessaloniki, Greece.

  Selected artists will be notified via email and will be invited to send one physical copy of their book for exhibition purposes.

  The selected books will become part of the VAiF Library and may be presented in future festival activities, without commercial exploitation and always with prior notification to the artist.

Terms & Conditions

Eligibility & Originality

All submitted works must be original creations of the participants and must not infringe upon any third-party copyrights or intellectual property rights.

The use of images, design elements, or texts without explicit permission is strictly prohibited. In cases of plagiarism, copyright infringement, or unauthorized use of material, the organizers bear no responsibility. Full legal responsibility remains with the participant.

The Open Call is addressed to photographers, artists, publishers, and photobook creators worldwide, regardless of nationality, professional status, or experience, aged 18 and over.

Participants may submit multiple entries, one per photobook. Each submission must be completed through a separate application form and include a complete submission file.

There is no thematic restriction. However, projects with a clear narrative identity, strong conceptual direction, and contemporary photographic approach are particularly valued.

Submission

The final submission deadline is Tuesday, March 31, 2026 at 23:59 (GMT).

Submissions must be completed exclusively through the online application form available on this festival’s website page.

Multiple submissions are allowed. Each photobook requires a separate completed form and full submission package.

Late applications will not be accepted under any circumstances.

Participation in the Open Call is free of charge.

Selection & Exhibition

The jury committee will select photobooks to be presented in a dedicated exhibition space as part of VAiF26, taking place in November 2026 in Thessaloniki, Greece.

Selected participants will be notified via email and will be required to send one physical copy of each selected book for exhibition purposes.

After the exhibition, submitted physical copies will become part of the VAiF Photobook Collection and will not be returned.

The books may be presented in future non-commercial exhibitions, libraries, or festival-related activities, always accompanied by the creator’s name and relevant descriptive text where provided.

Usage Rights

Participants grant the organizers the non-exclusive right to use visual material of the submitted works for promotion, documentation, press communication, archiving, and educational purposes, always with clear credit to the creator.

Commercial exploitation of the works is strictly excluded.

All intellectual property rights remain with the creators.

Legal & Ethical Provisions

Participation in the Open Call implies full and unconditional acceptance of all the above terms.

Non-compliance with the terms, including submission of non-original work, false information, or unauthorized use of copyrighted material, constitutes grounds for disqualification.

The organizers bear no responsibility for violations of copyright, intellectual property, or personal data of third parties. Full responsibility lies with the participant.

The decision of the jury committee is final and not subject to appeal or dispute.

Works containing racist, discriminatory, offensive content, or material that violates human dignity will not be accepted.

The organizers reserve the right to modify dates, venue, or exhibition format if required due to unforeseen circumstances.

Personal Data & Communication

By participating, applicants agree to receive email communication regarding this Open Call and related festival activities.

Participants may request removal from the mailing list at any time after the conclusion of the Open Call process.