Copenhagen Photo Festival is the largest photo festival in the Nordic region, running on June 3-13, 2021, with more than 50 exhibitions in collaboration with galleries, museums and cultural institutions in Copenhagen and southern Sweden. Each year, 250 Danish and foreign photographers contribute, and the festival is visited by around 55.000 people. For 11 days, photography is on the agenda under the three main pillars Framing Identity, Framing Society and Framing Vision, through exhibitions, workshops, talks, portfolio reviews and more.

Copenhagen Photo Festival focuses on development. New forms of exhibiting, new ways to use photography as well as new perspectives and emerging talents. The festival presents a programme of high quality – artistically and conceptually – building bridges between fine art and documentary photography. Copenhagen Photo Festival is for those who want to break new ground and challenge the idea of what photography is and can be, now and in the future. The festival centre is located on Refshaleøen, an island in Copenhagen with an industrial history. The raw atmosphere has made the island a creative centre with art institutions such as Copenhagen Contemporary, Reffen - Copenhagen Street Food, theatres, and cultural events which draws an audience from the entire world. Through the festival we challenge traditional presentation methods, finding new and innovative ways to present the artists' vision.

The festival prioritizes experimentation and sustainability in its production. We work with partners within architecture, crossing the border between in- and outside through innovative use of our established festival centre and its surrounding exhibition park.

Copenhagen Photo Festival programme is divided into three pillars that build bridges between fine art and documentary photography. Applicants must, therefore, be able to define which of these categories they identify most with their project.

• Framing Society: Politics, ideology and culture
• Framing Vision: Aesthetics, technique and medium
• Framing Identity: Subject, existence and identity

See previous exhibitioners’ work here: https://copenhagenphotofestival.com/biography-archive-main-page/

What exhibitors receive

As an exhibitor in the festival’s exhibition programme, your work will receive international exposure on a plethora of platforms giving you a chance to connect with art and photography professionals. Exhibitors will more specifically receive:

• A solo exhibition in the heart of the largest photo festival in the Nordics
• € 400 fee as a festival participant.
• € 250 support to travel and accomodation in CPH (for international photographers)
• Copenhagen Photo Festival will cover the expenses for the exhibition
• A targeted PR- and marketing strategy for your exhibition on Copenhagen Photo Festival’s platforms
• Meetings with other exhibitors, curators and professionals through a large networking dinner, talks and gallery walks using our programme to expand your network.

Programme Committee

Maja Dyrehauge Gregersen, Festival Director at Copenhagen Photo Festival.

Claire Gould, Curator at Copenhagen Photo Festival (on sabbatical from HAM, Helsinki Art Museum until Sep 2021).

Søren Pagter, Head of the Department for Photojournalism at the Danish School of Media and Journalism.

Sigrid Nygaard, Photographer and Photo Editor at the daily newspaper ‘Information’.

Balder Olrik, Visual Artist and Art Photographer.

David Risley Artist and former gallerist.

• The application must include a biography, artist statement and CV.
• Applicants must present a project description of up to 3000 characters that explains the finalized concept.
• The concept must fit one of the festival’s three programme pillars (see the description above).
• The project description must outline the concept of your project: The expected number of works, the format and material of the works, if AV equipment is needed and if the project has been exhibited before (see terms and conditions).
• The project submitted must never have been exhibited in Denmark before.
• You must present a minimum of 10 images that support the concept.

• Image size: Minimum 1500px on the long side, sRGB.

• Copenhagen Photo Festival commits to providing equal opportunities, and we encourage people of all ethnic backgrounds, races, religions, ages, genders, disabilities, sexual orientations, or social statuses to apply.
• Applicants must be open to dialogue with CPF about the presentation of their work.
• We encourage exhibitors to consider themselves ambassadors of the festival and are expected to take part in activities both before and during the festival, both online and in person.
• We also expect exhibitors to participate in activities such as videos or podcasts relating to their exhibition or to offer an artist talk during the festival.

FAQ

I would like to submit more than one project. Is it possible?
No, you are only allowed to submit one project.

Can I enter as a duo or collective? Yes, you are allowed.

Who pays for the production of my work?
An agreement will be made depending on the selected works and their situation.

Are the exhibits guarded?
There will be employees present during the festival

Is my exhibition insured?
Your works will be insured during the period they are exhibited in the festival centre.

What does my application fee cover?
Only one submission allowed per photographer. Due to the unforeseen circumstances of Covid-19, the application fee for Copenhagen Photo Festival 2021 has been lowered to € 25 (normal fee € 47). The price of the fee has been lowered to accommodate artists and photographers, whose income and work has been challenged by the pandemic. The fee contributes to the administration costs covering the selection process as well as the marketing of the festival and the individual exhibitions.

Who are previously selected artists? Here is a link to our website – https://copenhagenphotofestival.com/en/previouseditions/ - which gives you access to previous programmes and artists who have been involved in past editions.