Helsinki Photo Festival's fifth open call invites visual artists from the world over to explore the theme "Believe".

We encourage photographers and artists to share their work in response to; “Believe“, as a concept of imaginative, creative and expressive interpretation. Artists are required to write a description along with their image submission of how their work relates to the theme.

What does it mean to believe in somebody or something? What does it mean to believe in diversity, inclusion, belonging or well-being? Societies the world over now face ideological conflicts, some leading to violent exchange. We now struggle with social, political, religious and even environmental divisions within countries and neighborhoods. Do you believe in yourself? Can you accept the opinion and beliefs of another person? Do you believe that reasoning and technological innovations can save humans from civil and natural destruction? Do you believe that humanity can live in harmony?

How do photographers and artists respond to the notion of “Believe” is the challenge?

In the summer of 2022, Helsinki Photo Festival will showcase imagery that addresses this vital topic.

We look forward to seeing your submissions.

What winners receive

Selected artists/photographers of the BELIEVE theme will be exhibited at Helsinki Photo Festival 2022 (July 7th to October 2nd). The exhibitions will take place in art centres, warehouses, pop-ups, galleries, parks and waterfront areas in Greater Helsinki.

Moreover, the festival’s developed Nordic Village fosters emerging Nordic photographers. Since 2018, the talent platform Nordic Village has showcased to a broad audience over 20 artists from Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland and Iceland. Selected artists have been chosen for solo- and group exhibitions in Finland and abroad. All selected photographers have the great opportunity of being promoted to a broad, dedicated audience, critics and curators at the newest photo festival in Northern Europe.

Selected artists/photographers will benefit from:

• exhibition exposure at the Festival’s main exhibition in central Helsinki and at locations all around the capital including popup events
• nordic photographers to be part of a Nordic Village exhibition format
• opportunities offered for exhibition and publication through festival partners
• inclusion in the Festivals marketing & PR campaign
• inclusion in Festival’s printed and digital publications
• inclusion in Festival’s paid webinar program
• opportunity to be selected for limited edition program and sales at auctions
• long-term Festival representation and promotion
• an opportunity to participate in an Instagram Residency
• publication and inclusion in the Festival programme
• dedicated feature on the Festival website and online gallery
• international press exposure

Finalists will be selected to have their work produced by the Festival for exhibition indoors and/or outdoors.

The Nordic Village at Helsinki Photo Festival is a concept with the focus to support emerging Nordic photographers and their work(s) to a broad audience. Until now, the Nordic Village has nominated and showcased +30 artists from all five Nordic countries and arranged artist-talks, nordic and international exhibitions and pedagogy events with support of Nordic institutions.

About Helsinki Photo Festival

Helsinki Photo Festival is a non-profit association, created to disseminate information about photography and visual media and to attract and maintain interest in them in Finland and internationally by presenting, developing and promoting these forms of art. We help artists to associate with audiences and experts in the field of photography. We give artists access to an international network to enable them to find new ways to work, get published and exhibit abroad and in Finland.

Helsinki Photo Festival connects contemporary fine art photography and street exhibitions. The contest is judged by a jury of leading experts. The program includes artist-talks, workshops, seminars, photo walks, portfolio reviews and photo installations inviting all photo enthusiasts of all ages from any gender, race or class to participate in this art fair. The curated photography exhibitions can be discovered 24/7 in public spaces and at art institutions and former industrial areas. Most exhibitions are easily accessible and free of charge.

Alexa Becker (DE)
Alexa Becker is an Acquisitions Editor for photography and art books for Kehrer Verlag. Becker obtained her Master's in Art History from the University of Heidelberg. She started her career at Kehrer in 2003, where she is responsible for selecting and acquiring new photography-related projects. Mrs. Becker provides artistic and marketing advice for photographers concerning the content and style of their work at several international portfolio reviews. She enjoys helping photographers and others appreciate the special qualities present in their work - in particular discovering novel, genuine visions of the world. Mrs. Becker serves at several international portfolio reviews as a reviewer and sits on a number of online juries.

Emanuela Mirabelli (IT)
Mirabelli (born in Milan) has always been intrigued by all that is expressed through the images. After high school she started to write movie reviews for magazines, while studying Art History at the University. She developed a deep interest in photography which has translated soon into a profession. She then became the Executive Director of Carla Sozzani Gallery, the leading photography gallery in Milan. Since 2003, she has been working as Photo Editor of Marie Claire Italy magazine, where she publishes a huge variety of works, from classic reportages to new languages in contemporary photography, as well fine art portfolios and a huge variety of authors, from new talents to worldwide well known photographers. Also, she writes texts and holds lectures about photography and courses about photo editing. She does portfolio reviews at many festivals and she is a jury member of international photo awards.

Rafael Rybczynski (DK)
Rybczynski has been building his professional career in the cultural and creative industries for over 20 years. He is known for fostering emerging and established talents. He provides direction, guidance and inspiration. He has worked for artists, brands and startups with products, services and marketing, creativity and innovation, events, sourcing, creating and publishing digital and visual content. In 2017, he founded Helsinki Photo Festival and since then has been at the helm of this project as Artistic Director. As Curator, Interdisciplinary Designer, Fundraiser and Producer he is bringing photography to the masses, is responsible for big and wide scale event organisation and art direction.

Stig Marlon Weston (NO)
Weston (b. 1974) is based in Oslo, Norway. He shares his time between his own practice as a photo artist, running the studio collective CYAN studio and working as a commercial photographer. Focusing on process based and philosophical photography Stig uses cameraless techniques and analog processes to make his pictures become unique proofs of a truth unseen by human eyes. He wants to connect the subject closer to image and aims to encourage the viewer to reflect on what they expect to see and understand in a photograph. His work has been exhibited in many countries. Also, Stig curates and organizes exhibitions and photography events with other photographers´ works.

Naoya Yoshikawa (JP)
Naoya Yoshikawa; Artists of Photography, Director of Daegu Photo Biennale 2016, Korea, Professor at Osaka University of Arts. Photography, B.F.A., Arts and Culture, M.A. 2000-2001, Osaka University of Arts. Guest Scholar of Long Island University, New York/Overseas Study Program for Artists of the Agency for Cultural Affairs of Japan. Director of Daegu Photo Biennale 2016, Korea. 350 and more numerous exhibitions, festivals, workshops in many countries.

Andy Adams (US)
Andy Adams is an independent curator and writer whose work explores contemporary ideas in photography and visual media. He is the Director of FlakPhoto Projects, a digital/arts lab focused on promoting photography in all of its forms. Adams is a pioneer in online art exhibitions and has collaborated with the RISD Museum of Art, the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, the James Watrous Gallery, and numerous other organizations. He hosts the FlakPhoto Network, an online community focused on conversations about photo culture.

Curt Richter (US)
Curt Richter is an accomplished photographer and lecturer. His works are part of the permanent collections at the Museum of Modern Art, the National Portrait Gallery, the Victoria and Albert Museum, Bibliothèque Nationale, and many more. Born in New York City, he earned a BFA from SUNY Purchase and assisted the architectural photographer Ezra Stoller. As a teacher of photography, he has taught in the US, UK and Finland.

Moritz Neumüller (AT). Moritz Neumüller, is a Barcelona-based curator, educator and writer in the field of Photography and New Media. He has worked for institutions such as MoMA New York, La Fábrica Madrid and PhotoIreland Festival. He is the academic director of the Photo Department of IED Madrid, and a regular contributor to magazines such as European Photography, foam and Photoresearcher. Since 2010, he is running The Curator Ship, an online resource for visual artists. Recent curatorial projects for Daegu Biennial (Korea), Photobook Week Aarhus (DK), and The Birmingham Library (UK).

Stefan Bremer (FI) Stefan Bremer (b. 1953) has taught in art schools around Finland as well as at the Stockholm School of Photography and the Gothenburg University. He has led photography workshops in Europe and Africa and has exhibited around the world. Bremer was awarded the Finnish State Prize for Photography in 1988 and the Culture Prize of the City of Helsinki in 2011. He was State Art Professor in 1999-2004.

FAQ

What is the entry fee to submit to the Helsinki Photo Festival?

The application fee for the Helsinki Photo Festival is

• Early Bird €23 (Until 31th January 2022)
• Standard €28 (after 1st February 2022)

When does the call close and open?

The call opens Sunday, December 23, 2021 at 11:59 AM Eastern Standard Time. The call closes Sunday, March 30, 2022 at 23:59 PM Eastern Standard Time.

Where can I sign up for a Picter account?

Visit picter.com to sign up for a free account.

I would like to submit more than one project is it possible?

The open call allows submission of one (1) project only. In a project you can submit 15 images, either as 15 works or 15 works in a series. Alternatively, you can submit three (3) single images only.

Can I edit my portfolio once it has already been submitted?

No, all submissions are final. In the event of uncertainties, please contact support@picter.com.

What happens to work that is selected?

If your work is selected, you will be notified during Week 14-16 / April 4-23, 2022. It is up to you to produce and deliver the work (both to and from Helsinki Photo Festival in Finland) at your own expense before week 26-27 / June 27-July 8, 2022 for indoor exhibitions except the artist agrees the selected photos will be printed by the association without any cost to the participating photographer.

If I am not selected, will I receive feedback and suggestions for my work?

Due to the large number of entries, it is not possible to provide personalized feedback for artists.

Where can I get involved in discussions about the Helsinki Photo Festival?

To connect with us and ask questions regarding the 2022 BELIEVE Exhibitions by the Helsinki Photo Festival, follow Helsinki Photo Festival on Facebook, @HkiFotoFestival on Twitter, and @helsinkiphotofestival on Instagram. Stay tuned for updates and answers to your questions.