Never a chosen theme for an edition of Encontros da Imagem has made so much sense, given the current situation the world is going through since the beginning of the decade. “Génesis 2:1” is a continuation of the theme and work started last year. One year after, we and the rest of the world are back in a general confinement as a result of the pandemic due to COVID-19. Chaos and confusion ensued. A collective inability to understand the disorder of things, confronted humanity with increasingly complex and demanding challenges. Contemporary society has long faced enormous challenges of a global nature: from issues related to the planet earth and it’s ecology problems such as loss of biodiversity and global warming and issues regarding the civilisations that inhabit it, which generate so much inequality and moral indifference through politics and religion. What we call progress has coincided with the humanisation of the world, but it may end up being exactly what will dictate its end. The crisis that we are going through is an opportunity to think together and come up with solutions to what needs to be done. The Board of Directors invites all lens based artists to apply to the Discovery Awards 2021 under the theme “Génesis 2:1” until the 2nd of May 2021.

The Board of Directors

What winners receive

• The finalists will have their work produced and exhibited at the 2021 edition;
• The finalists will have their work published in the catalogue of the 2021 edition;

About the organization

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. Every year Encontros da Imagem promotes an open call for the Discovery Awards, where the winners have the opportunity to exhibit their work during the festival. Encontros da Imagem also organizes another award - Emergentes - International Photography Award Encontros da Imagem, this prize is awarded after the Portfolio Review, which gives photographers the opportunity to show their work to an international jury, composed by commissioners, gallery owners and expert editors, thus establishing solid foundations for the promotion of their work. The festival has developed an eclectic programme. This year the theme is “Genesis 2:1”, a continuation of last year’s theme, where numerous artists emerging and established, 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 currently one of the oldest photography festivals in Europe.