Photography Contest
Budapest International Foto Awards 2026 (bifa)
Deadline |
CLOSEDTheme |
OpenTerritory |
WorldwideEligibility |
18+Entry Fees |
Between $15 and $40Prizes |
Cash PrizeBUDAPEST INTERNATIONAL FOTO AWARDS is an international platform for photographers from all levels and genres to share their best images with the creative community in Hungary and Eastern Europe. We acknowledge the power of even a single photograph to greatly influence an audience, and how the artistic eye of the photographer behind the camera can interpret a scene in so many creative ways. We know that every image has a story to tell, and this is the place to tell it!
The competition is open to everyone and we invite photographers from all over the world to take part and enter their work.
Budapest International Foto Awards is a sister competition to both the Moscow and Tokyo International Foto Awards. Take a moment to check out these affiliated competitions and increase your exposure around the world by submitting your work there as well.
Awards and Promotion
BIFA Photographer of the Year (Selected from First Place Category Winners, Pro) $3,000 cash prize* and BIFA trophy
BIFA New Talent of the Year (Selected from First Place Category Winners, Non-Pro) $2,000 cash prize* and BIFA trophy
First Place Category Winners–Pro and Non-Pro Advertising, Architecture, Book, Editorial, Events, Fine Art, Nature, People, Portfolio, Science
$200 cash prize* (Paypal or Amazon gift card)
* Note: Cash prizes are not cumulative. There will be only one cash prize per winner, and the highest prize applies. So the winner that is awarded “Photographer of the Year”, for example, will only receive the $3,000 cash prize for that title, and not the $200 cash prize for their Category Winner title. First Place Category Winners can only receive one $200 cash prize, even if they win the title in multiple categories.
First Place Main Category Winners Pro and Non-Pro will enjoy extensive publicity throughout the year in addition to the following benefits:
– Work exhibited in Budapest and beyond
– Work showcased on the main page of our website
– Feature winning images in the online gallery exhibition
– Press release and newsletter announcements to over 120,000 in BIFA Community
– Printable BIFA certificate of achievement
– Winner’s Logo to be used online and on printed materials
Other Winners ( Gold / Silver / Bronze) & Honorable Mention
Winners will enjoy extensive publicity throughout the year in addition to the following benefits:
– Feature winning images in the online gallery exhibition
– Press release and newsletter announcements to over 120,000 in BIFA Community
– Printable BIFA certificate of achievement
– Winner’s Logo to be used online and on printed materials
The competition is open to everyone and we invite photographers from all over the world to take part and enter their work.
Budapest International Foto Awards is a sister competition to both the Moscow and Tokyo International Foto Awards. Take a moment to check out these affiliated competitions and increase your exposure around the world by submitting your work there as well.
Awards and Promotion
BIFA Photographer of the Year (Selected from First Place Category Winners, Pro) $3,000 cash prize* and BIFA trophy
BIFA New Talent of the Year (Selected from First Place Category Winners, Non-Pro) $2,000 cash prize* and BIFA trophy
First Place Category Winners–Pro and Non-Pro Advertising, Architecture, Book, Editorial, Events, Fine Art, Nature, People, Portfolio, Science
$200 cash prize* (Paypal or Amazon gift card)
* Note: Cash prizes are not cumulative. There will be only one cash prize per winner, and the highest prize applies. So the winner that is awarded “Photographer of the Year”, for example, will only receive the $3,000 cash prize for that title, and not the $200 cash prize for their Category Winner title. First Place Category Winners can only receive one $200 cash prize, even if they win the title in multiple categories.
First Place Main Category Winners Pro and Non-Pro will enjoy extensive publicity throughout the year in addition to the following benefits:
– Work exhibited in Budapest and beyond
– Work showcased on the main page of our website
– Feature winning images in the online gallery exhibition
– Press release and newsletter announcements to over 120,000 in BIFA Community
– Printable BIFA certificate of achievement
– Winner’s Logo to be used online and on printed materials
Other Winners ( Gold / Silver / Bronze) & Honorable Mention
Winners will enjoy extensive publicity throughout the year in addition to the following benefits:
– Feature winning images in the online gallery exhibition
– Press release and newsletter announcements to over 120,000 in BIFA Community
– Printable BIFA certificate of achievement
– Winner’s Logo to be used online and on printed materials
Featured Photo Contest
AAP Magazine #62 / TRAVELS
Our 62nd printed issue of AAP Magazine will feature the best projects showcasing the theme: Travels. Reflect on your past or current adventures, expand our horizons from the four corners of the globe!
© Indranil Sengupta
Best Photography Contests in 2026
Each year, there are hundreds of photography competitions all over the world, so we've decided to select for you the best of the best! Our selection of the best photo contests in 2026 is thoroughly curated to help you, whether you are a professional photographer or an amateur, to help find your next creative breakthrough. These all-star competitions offer the greatest opportunities for international exposure and/or incredible financial benefits. Some of them are closing soon, so get your photo submissions in!
ENDS 10/11/26
Art is born out of passion. Fine Art photography is a perfect instrument, which allows a person to communicate with the world and share their vision. It results from the author's deep sensitivity, a need to express feelings through image.
ENDS 10/13/26
For 2026, the amount of the W. Eugene Smith Grant is $30,000, and two additional $10,000 Finalist Grants will be awarded.
ENDS 10/13/26
For 2026, the amount of the W. Eugene Smith Student Grant is $5,000. The grant provides two students with the opportunity to complete a photographic essay.
ENDS 10/14/26
This year we're excited to exhibit our Emerging Talent winners in Paris alongside Paris Photo, the world's largest international art fair dedicated to photography!
ENDS 10/14/26
From crossing paths with a black cat to honoring ancestors at vibrant altars, humans have always used stories, rituals, and visual symbols to make sense of fate, luck, and the unseen.
ENDS 10/15/26
€10,000 in cash plus an exhibition at PhMuseum Lab, screenings at PhotoVogue Festival, and more
ENDS 10/15/26
A total of $8,000 in grants will be awarded to three outstanding artists
ENDS 10/16/26
We are looking for your travel photographs, near and far, to the edge of the earth and to the places perhaps known only to you.
ENDS 10/31/26
If you're a passionate amateur or professional photographer, we invite you to share your photographic project with us.
ENDS 11/01/26
The best photographs will be presented in an exhibition in the Principality of Monaco, then touring in various locations around the world, as well as in a high-quality photography book.
ENDS 11/05/26
To help photographers improve their chances, we have launched a portfolio and contest submission review service.
ENDS 11/05/26
The acclaimed and renonwned photography grant contest from Gomma. The ninth year in the making. High international exposure and funding.
ENDS 11/22/26
The criteria for selection by a jury of professional in the photographic field are a height creative level, originality and a coherent personal vision.
ENDS 11/30/26
Selected photobooks will be featured in Der Greif’s Articles section, including a dedicated editorial feature highlighting the project, its context, and the maker(s).
ENDS 12/01/26
Empowering photographers and storytellers to tell powerful, long-term stories about the people and communities protecting our planet and wildlife.
ENDS 12/08/26
The Rencontres d’Arles is pleased to announce the launch of the 2026 Discovery Award. Jury award of €15,000 and public award of €5,000
ENDS 01/02/27
Turn your unique perspective on architecture into an award-winning visual narrative in the Luis Ferreira Alves Photography Competition.
ENDS 01/05/27
Dedicated to young photographers under 19 years-old - first prize is top Sony digital imaging equipment plus benefit from global exposure
ENDS 01/05/27
Rewarding the best single images! Enter for free and you could win $5,000, top Sony digital imaging equipment plus more!
ENDS 01/12/27
Rewarding the best photo series worldwide! Enter for free and you could win $25,000, a range of Sony digital imaging equipment plus more!
ENDS 02/07/27
Competition dedicated to telling food stories through photography
ENDS 03/31/27
Entries are open worldwide to photographers using an iPhone or iPad. Photos should not be published previously anywhere. The posts on personal accounts (Facebook, Instagram etc.) are eligible.
ENDS 03/31/27
Exhibition at the Pure Street Photography Awards Exhibition in India
ENDS 11/26/27
Provides a platform for photography students worldwide - first prize is top Sony digital imaging equipment plus benefit from global exposure