OPEN CALL

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chester Photo Festival, 2nd Ed. 

16-29 October 2026

 

 

Making Voices Heard

Building on 2025’s success—85 international artists, 15,000 visitors, across six city-centre venues, and supported by our landmark 148-page hardback book—we invite you to the 2nd edition to explore photography through myths, feelings, memories and personal stories. Join our inclusive network!

 

FREE ENTRIES up to 5 works per participant.

 

I. Early deadline: 15th May

  • Only if your work is selected will we ask for an early entry participation fee of £45 per work.

 

II. Late deadline: 15th June

  • Only if your work is selected, we will ask for a late entry participation fee of £60 per work.

  • The late deadline will close once 300 works have been selected.

 

  • Step 1: Prepare up to 5 JPEGs. The shortest side must be at least 6 inches at 300 dpi.

 

  • Step 2: Create a Word document with the title, year, size, and 100 words personal statement for each work. 

 

 

Technical Note: If files exceed 10Mb, send your entry via email or, at your convenience, via one of the alternative options as follows: WeTransfer.com, Dropbox, Google Docs, OneDrive, or MailDrop. 

 

Name *
E-mail *
Website
Social media (one handle)
Phone number
Short Bio (Up to 100 words) *
Images (Up to 5 JPEGs, Surname_01, ..Surname_05) *

Max file size (Mb): 10

Word document (Title, Date and Statement 100 words for each image) *

Max file size (Mb): 5

Max number of files: 1

Message (Please feel free to provide additional details.)
 

The Chester Photo Festival welcomes moving images and short films that intersect and engage with photography, such as, but not limited to, work: inspired by photographs, photography and photographers; exploring trans-disciplinary collaborations; developing installation and interactive relationships with photographs and photography; profiling photographic artists; documenting or engaging with photographic processes; working with photographic communities and their photographic practices; and telling stories emanating from, or responding to, photographs and photography.

 

  • Step 1: Provide an online link and a representative still image. 

 

  • Step 2: Include a document with the Title, Year, a 100-word bio, and a 100-word artist statement.

 

 

Technical Note: If your work is not yet accessible to the public, send us a private link and include the details in the Entry Form below, as an additional message.

Name *
E-mail *
Website
Social media (one handle)
Phone number
Short Bio (Up to 100 words) *
Still image from your video *

Max file size (Mb): 10

Max number of files: 1

Video link (Please provide the link to your video) *
Message (Please feel free to provide additional details)
Word document (Title, Date and Statement 100 words) *

Max file size (Mb): 5

Max number of files: 1

 

We invite entries of artists' books, zines, albums, catalogues, and published or limited editions.

We seek publications, ranging from handmade books and albums to published editions, that explore personal experiences, myths, and stories through photography and its narratives that resonate with our vision of making voices heard.

 

  • Step 1: Prepare a PDF file presenting your book.

 

  • Step 2: Include a document with the Title, Year, 100-word bio, and 100-word artist statement.

 

  • Step 3: Submit via the online form or email events@chesterphotofestival.com.

  • Multiple Entries (Up to 5): For multiple artist book entries, please email us for guidance.

 

Display Options: If your work is selected, one copy is typically donated to our archive for public handling. Alternatively, specify in your form if the book is for "Display Only" in closed cases. 

Name *
E-mail *
Website
Social media (one handle)
Phone number
Short Bio (up to 100 words) *
Book presentation (PDF file) *

Max file size (Mb): 10

Max number of files: 1

Image for introducing your book *

Max file size (Mb): 10

Max number of files: 1

Message (Please feel free to provide additional details)
 

  • 1 December 2025 Open Call for Entries.

  • 15 May 2026 Early Entries Deadline.
  • 15 June 2026 Late Entries Deadline.
  • By 30 June 2026, notifications will be sent for early entries.
  • By 30 August 2026, notifications will be sent for late entries.
  • 15 September 2026, Festival Programme to be announced.
  • 16 October 2026 Preview (time, location TBC).
  • 16 - 18 October 2026 Main event (programme TBC).

  • 16 - 29 October 2026, the Chester Photo Festival.

Share your story through photography and make your voice heard at the 2026 Festival!

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

  • ​​​​​​Imagine a photography practice that empowers you to re-imagine your memories, myths, personal experiences 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:

 

  • Main Event: is expected from 16 to 18 October 2026, Friday to Sunday. On-site exhibitions, participants' festival book published, talks and workshops (programme TBC).

  • Exhibitions: Held at various Chester City Centre locations, including the University of Chester, Chester Picturehouse, St Werburgh's Church, St John's Church, and Grosvenor Museum (TBC).

  • Exhibition Book: Selected works will be published in the Chester Photo Festival 2026, 2nd Ed (see the previous book of the 1st edition, May 2025).

  • Hangout Place: Network and meet the artists, 16-18 October 2026 (Location TBC).
  • Certification: Every participant receives a participation certificate.

 

We aim to include one or two works per participant.

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

Your work is with us

I. Double-check if your submission includes:

 

  • Photography: Up to 5 JPEGs at 300dpi, with the shortest side measuring at least 6 inches.

  • Moving images and artist books: an online link or a PDF presentation, see above.

  • Each file is named with your surname, e.g., Surname 1.jpeg, etc.

 

  • A separate Word document with title, year, size if applicable, and no more than 100 words for each work, with your story, feelings or personal experience: What does the work/picture mean to you? 
  • If applicable, include your website and one social media handle of your choice. 
  • Submit your files via our Entry Forms, see above.

 

 

IMPORTANT: If files exceed 10MB, send your entry via email or, at your convenience, via one of the alternative options as follows: WeTransfer.com, Dropbox, Google Docs, OneDrive, or MailDrop. 

 

  • For non-standard entries, contact us via email to discuss your submission, curatorial details, and the participation fee.

  • Finally, state whether AI was used or not in creating your work.

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

 

  • The selection process will include a curatorial process. If necessary, we will discuss it and agree on specific details about how your work will be displayed, including location, printing, size, medium, or other aspects. 

 

  • Standard entries: the participation fee per work, up to £45 for early entries or £60 for late entries, includes printing and installing your work in our standard frames, which are approximately 50x40 cm, 50x50 cm, 40x30 cm or 30x30 cm.
  • This is ideal for international submissions or those who prefer to avoid bringing their work, thereby avoiding transport and other costs.

 

  • Moving images and short films: we aim to select up to 20 works to run in a loop on the Picturehouse Cinema screen or in other venues on LCD or projected screens, subject to curatorial arrangements. 

 

  • Artist books: we aim to select a diverse range for display, which, where appropriate, can be sold to the general public.

 

  • Artist talks: by invitation only; priority will be given to festival participants. 

 

  • For non-standard entries, including those invited to bring works in, please be aware that additional charges may apply for larger projects or specific installations. 

 

  • Participants' works may be publicly shown and referenced to promote the Chester Photo Festival's exhibitions and events, including in the festival book, our website and social media channels.

Yours,

Chester Photo Festival

  • We will always contact you only from our phone 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 the public from 1st May 2024.

The 2nd edition of the annual Chester Photo Festival is expected to take place in October 2026.