Application Deadline: January 27, 2025
Announcement selection: Mid February, 2025
Meet-ups: March 5 – April 9 – May 14, 2025
Fotofestiwal Łódź: June 11-16, 2025
Rencontres d’Arles: July 5-12, 2025
What to expect
Ten photographers are selected to travel with FOTODOK to an international photography festival. You receive mentorship and guidance to develop your work. FOTODOK creates opportunities for you to connect with experts from around the world. Five photographers have the opportunity to visit Fotofestiwal Łódź (Poland) from the 11th until the 16th of June. Another five have the opportunity to go to Rencontres d’Arles (France) from the 5th until the 12th of July.
You will be part of an intensive 3-day preparation program to ensure you’re ready for the festivals. The program equips you with an updated portfolio, a strong pitch, and the confidence to showcase your work. You are supported by an international team of experts. You are helped to refine your selection and presentation.This provides you with tailored guidance to strengthen your artistic vision.
During the festivals our group often becomes a warm, supportive homebase. A place where you can share your journey with the group, exchange experiences, and offer each other encouragement. Together, we create a nurturing space that allows you to grow, connect deeply with others, and confidently navigate the opportunities ahead.
The jury selects 10 participants from the submissions for this open call. Yusser al Obaidi, Lisanne van Happen and a curator from Fotofestiwal Łódź are part of the jury. We contact all applicants between February 7 and February 17. You will be contacted whether you have been selected or not.
the festivals
Fotofestiwal Łódź presents photography in all its various ways and talks about important social issues. The festival introduces the unobvious beauty and unique history of the city Łódź to their audience. It was one of the first photography events in Poland when it was established in 2001. Since then it has grown into one of the most relevant photography festivals in Europe. Fotofestiwal Łódź 2025 will center around themes of split societies, radicalization, and polarization, highlighting the surreal and theatrical realities that emerge from living in vastly different fictional worlds.
Rencontres d’Arles showcases contemporary, experimental, and traditional photography by emerging and established photographers. The festival is one of the world’s leading photography festivals founded in 1970, held annually in the historic city of Arles, France. The festival features over 40 exhibitions across unique venues, ranging from ancient Roman sites to modern spaces like the LUMA Foundation. Rencontres d’Arles serves as a key platform for international networking, fostering connections and conversations that shape the future of photography.
image: Pippilotta Yerna – pippilottayerna.com.
Pippilotta Yerna was part of Talent Embassy 2024. She blends personal history with a sarcastic take on life. And explores the challenges confronted by the elderly in Dutch society. Here maintaining one’s existence can appear almost insurmountable. Her project centers on her great aunt, who recently celebrated her 100th birthday. She uses collaborative photography as a medium – pippilottayerna.com.
CRITERIA
- You are in the process of developing or presenting a project that can benefit from the input of international experts and exposure to a new audience.
- You are socially engaged and address urgent themes through your photo-based practice.
- You work with the medium of photography.
- You are excited to join group travel and willing to contribute positively to the collective experience.
- You are available for the program on: March 5th, April 9th and May 14th.
- You graduated from an art academy between 2017 and 2022. If you did not graduate from an art academy (and are not educated there at this moment): you are also eligible with a professional practice between 5 and 10 years.
- You are based in The Netherlands.
TRAVEL COSTS & PERSONAL BUDGET
- Your travel and accommodation for the festival are funded and partially arranged by FOTODOK.
- You receive a personal budget of 150 euros to support the development of your project.
- You receive a personal budget of 250 euro to collaborate with a mentor of your choice.
HOW TO APPLY
Submit your application by 27 January 2025, at 11:59 PM. Include:
- Motivation Letter (max 1 A4 or 6-minute video):
- Introduce yourself to us as both a person and an artist.
- Describe the project you wish to develop during the program. And explain why it’s important.
- Indicate your festival preference: Fotofestiwal Łódź or Rencontres d’Arles. Clearly explain how your work aligns with the chosen festival’s vision.
- Detail the specific goal you aim to achieve in the next phase of your project. For instance for further development or a form of presentation.
- Highlight how international experts can assist you to reach the next step and advance your creative vision.
- Portfolio
- CV
Combine all documents into one PDF. Make your name part of the filename and email it with the subject “Application Embassy 2025” to yusser@fotodok.org.
Do you have any questions?
Ask Yusser al Obaidi via yusser@fotodok.org.
This program is made possible with the support of the Pictoright Fund.
