As part of its 35th edition, Encontros da Imagem - International Photography and Visual Arts Festival, is promoting the Open Call - Photobook Award EI2025.

Aware of the fundamental role the photobook has played in recent years in the presentation of photographic narratives, the development of creative processes, construction and experimentation with materials and techniques, Encontros da Imagem has sought to promote, since 2014, independent authors and projects through a competition aimed at highlighting and rewarding the best photobooks of the year.

With a diverse jury that has in-depth knowledge of photography and the publishing sector, this open call will result in a collective exhibition to be presented at the festival alongside the rest of the programme, as well as a cash prize.

What winners receive
All the books sent and submitted will be presented at a collective exhibition, which will take place between 18th of September and 2nd of November 2025 in Braga, Portugal, as part of the 35th edition of the festival, as well as being presented and announced on the festival's website and its various communication channels.
The jury will evaluate all the books and select one winning project for each award: Best Published Book Award and Best Dummy Award. Both will be awarded with a cash prize of €1,000.00, and if it deems it appropriate, honorable mentions.

How to enter
For the application to be considered, there must be a registration and submission of the project through Picter's platform, subject to the following conditions:
Each application costs 20,00€;
Each project submitted will be considered a single application;
Each candidate can submit a maximum of 3 photobooks, that will be considered as 3 separate applications;
The deadline for the open call is 30 June 2025;
The books submitted in the application must be sent by 31 July 2025.
If the artist or publisher has other information they consider important for the jury, such as videos (youtube, vimeo, etc.), they can include the links in the synopsis.
Authors must send their candidate book by 31 July 2025 in order to be considered for the prize. If the book arrives after this date, the packaging must bear the postmark or stamp from before this date. The package should be sent to the following address:
The package should be sent to the following address:
A/C: Carla Bacelar Ferreira / Noora Manty / Sofia Pacheco Largo da Estação, 40 - Salas 5 e 6 4700-223 Braga Portugal
Please label the packaging with the message:
“BOOK WITH NO COMMERCIAL VALUE”
SHIPPINGS OUTSIDE THE EU: If the book is held up at customs, the applicant must take responsibility for the customs clearance costs.
About Encontros da Imagem Encontros da Imagem, with more than thirty years of existence, is a non-profit cultural association that promotes annually an International Photography and Visual Arts Festival in the city of Braga, Portugal. The festival celebrates classic and contemporary photography and visual arts in general by showcasing emerging and established artists. The festival has developed an eclectic programme. Numerous artists, national and international, will be shown in several public and private spaces (historical and monumental buildings, museums, galleries and others). Encontros da Imagem is a cultural photographic reference in Portugal, and has reached a prominent position in the international panorama, being one of the oldest photography festivals in Europe.