PHOTO IS:RAEL 2026 International Photography Festival

Overview

PHOTO IS:RAEL invites artists globally to submit proposals for the Main Exhibition of its 13th International Photography Festival, scheduled for October 2026 in Tel Aviv. The festival's theme, "Citizens," delves into citizenship as an active choice to be present and engaged, extending beyond mere legal designation. It aims to amplify grassroots perspectives, transforming personal experiences into shared public knowledge, and enabling marginalized groups to achieve visibility and redefine their narratives. The festival emphasizes the camera's role as a tool for claiming visibility, allowing individuals and groups to participate in shaping and strengthening democratic structures through creative expression. By coinciding with upcoming elections in October, the event seeks to promote civic engagement and democracy, reinforcing Israel's democratic values. PHOTO IS:RAEL is a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering dialogue and addressing artistic and social issues through the medium of photography. The festival welcomes submissions from artists at all career stages, featuring both existing works and new projects that align with this year's theme.

What to build

Artists are invited to submit proposals for existing works or new projects exploring the theme "Citizens" across various media including photography, film, video, performance documentation, animation, and digital, interactive, or hybrid forms. The selected works will be exhibited in the Festival’s Main Exhibition.

Prizes

Key dates

• Festival datesOctober 2026

Eligibility

Submissions are welcome from artists worldwide, at all stages of their careers.

How to enter

1. Prepare a proposal for existing works or new projects exploring the theme "Citizens".
2. Pay the submission fee of $22 (US dollars).
3. Submit the proposal via the official website (details to be found on the official website).

Resources

• Official Website