Encontros da Imagem has the pleasure to announce that the submissions for the Photobook Award EI 2021 is now open until the 8th of August.

At a time when the photobook is becoming increasingly relevant, as a complex, intriguing and creative vehicle to promote narratives and anthologies, it is an intention of Encontros da Imagem to foster author and self-published books. Therefore, the Festival invites you to apply with your photography books. We accept author books, with more or less handcrafted production, original, personal and independent. The project must be as close as possible to the final version, both in its form and the materials used (type of paper, etc.). It won’t be considered valid an application whose books have been published or received a commitment to publish from any publisher until the moment of applications.

How to enter

• Add up to 10 images of the book
• Add a video flipping through the book to your submission.

1. We will only accept author books, with more or less handcrafted production, original, personal and independent. The project must be as close as possible to the final version, both in its form and the materials used (type of paper, etc.). It won’t be considered valid applications books have been published by a publishing house.

2. To submit and validate the application you must proceed with application through Picter, where you will pay a 20€ fee. You also have to send the physical book to us by post.

Please send the book to the following address:

Subject: Photobook Award EI 2021

AC: Simone Almeida, Encontros da Imagem

Largo da estação, 40 Salas 6 e 7 4700 - 223 Braga Portugal

3. The deadline to send the book is the 8th August, 2021. The packaging must ensure a postmark / mail stamp to confirm the book was sent until the deadline, ensuring the acceptance of the book even if it arrives after the mentioned date. Please write in the packaging “Book with no comercial value”.

4. If the package is held up in costums. The author is responsible for paying the custom clearance costs, the festival will not support theses costs.

5. The candidate can submit up to 3 books, for each book a submission fee is required;

What winners receive

The Board of Directors taking into account the difficult situation that we are all going through, especially within the arts community has decided to give three monetary awards.

• First Prize: 750€ award and part of collective photobook exhibition in this year's edition of the festival.
• Second Prize: 250€ award and part of collective photobook exhibition in this year's edition of the festival.
• Third Prize: 250€ award and part of collective photobook exhibition in this year's edition of the festival.

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. 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.