Open for Entries! 

May 2025 Festival

9 - 31 May 2025

Making voices heard 

 

Let's explore photography through myths, feelings, and personal stories.

 

Join us for our First Annual Festival - May 2025!

Deadline: 15th March or when 100 works have been selected.

  • We'll do our best to fit in extra works, but it depends on space, curatorial plans, and logistics. So, please try to submit or reach out as early as you can!

  • First come, first served!

 

  • FREE ENTRIES up to 5 works per participant.

  • Only If your work is selected we will ask for a participation fee from £0 to £30 per work to cover the exhibition costs.

  • Suitable for everyone at all levels of experience.

 

  • Step 1: Prepare up to 5 JPEG files at 300dpi, with the shortest side of at least 5 inches. (see details below).

  • Step 2: Send your files via WeTransfer.com to events@chesterphotofestival.com. 

  • Alternatively, for non-standard entries, email us directly at: events@chesterphotofestival.com or use the 'Expression of Interest' form (see May 2025 FESTIVAL).

  • Step 3: Notifications will be sent by 30th March 2025. You will only be notified if your work is selected.

Share Your Story through Photography at Chester's 2025 Festival!

  • Chester Photo Festival seeks to celebrate the democratisation of photography as an art, enabling photographers at all levels of experience to inovate through networking and create with exhibition spaces in Chester.

  • ​​​​​​Imagine a photography practice that empowers you to re-imagine your memories, myths, and childhood through exploring photography. 

  • Imagine why a photography practice can shape the narrative of your story and your message. 

  • Moving beyond aesthetics and techniques, let's focus on your own voice through your photography practice. 

(More details about photography topics and photo-entanglement can be found on our website, especially in the ‘Courses and Workshops’ and ‘About’ sections.)

 

If your work is selected, you will be invited to participate in our upcoming events:

 

  • Onsite exhibitions and events: Starting from 9th May.

  • Main event: 9th to 11th May 2025.

  • Additional locations will remain open until 31 May 2025, with details to be confirmed during the curatorial stage.

  • Exhibitions will take place at 5 locations across Chester City Centre.

  • The curatorial team will select the works and spaces to work together. This will depend on both the participants' works and the organisational process.

  • Possible locations: Castlefield Gallery New Art Spaces Chester, Chester Town Hall, St Werburgh's Church, St John's Church, Grosvenor Museum (locations to be confirmed).

  • Other locations within Chester City Centre will also be considered, depending on the curatorial and selection process (to be confirmed when invitations are sent to participants).

  • Cost: £0 to £30 participation fee per work, only if your work is selected.

 

  • We aim to include a variety of non-standard entries, such as installations, videos, projections, objects on display, larger works, or focused small-group projects. We strongly encourage you to contact us to discuss the curatorial details and participation fee directly with our team.

  • We are learning from the Pilot Exhibition about Chester, potential participants, locations, and the organisational challenges involved.

  • We are grateful to our Pilot Exhibition 2024 participants, partners, sponsors, and trustees—without whom this learning process would not be possible.

 

  • The Pilot Exhibition 2024 was as an interim exhibition and events, serving as a valuable preparatory stage for our upcoming annual festival, Chester Photo Festival, in May 2025.

How to

Submit Your Work? 

I. Send your work for free

 

  • FREE ENTRIES of up to 5 works by 15th March 2025. 

  • Via WeTransfer.com to our email address: events@chesterphotofestival.com.

 

  • For non-standard entries, please contact us to discuss the curatorial details and participation fee with our team.

  • Alternatively, use our 'Expression of Interest' form in the May 2025 Festival section, or email us at events@chesterphotofestival.com.

II. Double-check if your submission includes:

 

  • Up to 5 JPEG images at 300dpi, with the shortest side measuring at least 5 inches.
  • Each JPEG file named with your surname, e.g., Surname 1.jpeg, Surname 2.jpeg, etc.
  • A separate Word document with a short bio (200 words), title, year, sizes, and no more than 100 words for each work.
  • Finally, participants must state whether AI was used or not in creating the photographs.

 

III. Your work is with us for selection and curatorial process:

 

  • You will only be invited to participate in our events if your work is selected.

  • The selection may include a curatorial process. If necessary, we will discuss and agree on specific details about how your work will be displayed, including location, printing, sizes, medium or other aspects. 
  • Up to £30 participation fee includes printing and installing your work in our standard approximately 50 x 40 cm or approximately 50 x 50 cm frames. This is ideal for international submissions or who prefer not to bring their work, avoiding transport and other costs.

  • Please note that additional costs may apply for larger works or specific installations. These will be discussed and agreed during the selection and curation process.

  • Every participant will receive a participation certificate.

 

Participants' works may be shown publicly and referenced to promote the exhibitions and activities of the Chester Photo Festival, including on our website and social media channels.

Hey! The call for stories. Ana-Cristina Irian, 2024

Trees, Alderley Edge, Cheshire. Emma Jane Petruzzelli, 2022

The Eternal Mother. Erik Knudsen, 2024

Luck Money. Yvonne Woolley, August 2024

Untitled c0n5t4nt4. Alexandra Dumitrescu 2023

Hawes, St Margaret’s Church Spire.

Ian Clegg, 2024

Fog on the hills, from 'Photographs of Wolf Myths'. Emilia Visan, 2020

Self Love. Mary Hill, 2023

At home, every dinner is a celebration. Alexandru Modoi, 2024

Yours,

Chester Photo Festival

  • We will always contact you only from our telephone number 07949 066 406 or via our email: events@chesterphotofestival.com 
  • We aim to respond as soon as possible, usually within 1 hour. However, during busy periods or outside of working hours, it may take up to 24 hours for a response.

 

Chester photo festival

 

It was founded in September 2023 and is available to public from 1st May 2024.

The 1st edition of the annual Chester Photo Festival is expected to take place in May 2025, after one year of work.