The Présence(s) Photographie festival has announced its call for applications, inviting photographers worldwide to submit their work for consideration in the 2026 event. The festival, which aims to showcase vibrant, high-quality artistic photography to diverse audiences, will take place from Saturday, May 23rd to Sunday, June 7th, 2026, though organizers note that dates may shift by a few days.
Located in France's middle Rhône Valley along both banks of the river near Montélimar, Le Teil, and Viviers, the festival traditionally begins with an opening night on the Friday before the main event. Throughout the festival period, multiple screenings are scheduled on large screens, providing photographers with opportunities to present their work to both amateur and professional audiences while engaging in discussions with leading figures in the photography world.
The submission process centers around a unique voting system where viewers at each screening vote for two slideshows during the festival. The photographer receiving the most votes will have their series exhibited during the 2027 festival, with full production support provided by Présence(s) Photographie. Participation is open to individuals regardless of status, age, or nationality, with the sole requirement being that submitted photographic work must be original.
Applicants may submit a maximum of two projects, though only one will be selected for consideration. The festival has established specific technical requirements for submissions, including video presentations lasting between 2 and 4 minutes containing at least 10 photographs. All slideshow files must be submitted in mp4 (H264) HD 1080 high definition format, following the naming convention "last_first_name." Each slideshow must begin with the project title and conclude with the photographer's name and musical references, with music rights handled by Présence(s) Photographie through SACEM.
The application process requires completion of a registration form before file submission. Organizers specifically request that participants send uncompressed slideshows using Smash (https://fromsmash.com/) rather than WeTransfer, citing the latter's insufficient retention period. Cloud services such as Google Drive and Dropbox are not acceptable for submissions. All applications should be sent to pp.candidaturesgmail.com.
Selected photographers will be required to provide eight high-resolution, royalty-free photographs that best represent their series. These images will be used for internal and external communication purposes, including local and national press coverage, as well as for a group exhibition featuring selected works.
An artistic committee composed of professional photographers, artists, and festival organizers will evaluate submissions based on quality and originality. Approximately fifteen works will be selected through this process, with the committee's decision being final and binding. Selected artists will receive email notifications by the end of February 2025, while all participants will be informed of their application receipt in early January.
The festival offers several commitments to selected photographers, beginning with free registration for the call for applications. Selected participants will be invited to attend the Photographers Weekend, a festival highlight focused on networking, idea exchange, and experience sharing. Organizers pledge to arrange accommodation under optimal conditions and prioritize respect for photographers' work.
However, uncertainty surrounding future grants and subsidies prevents organizers from confirming specific financial commitments at this stage. Final terms will be communicated upon official selection announcements. Based on previous years' offerings, which organizers hope to continue, benefits may include a high-quality festival catalog showcasing selected work, distributed to photography professionals and sold to the public for 15 euros. Travel expenses up to 150 euros may be covered for photographers attending the entire weekend, along with homestay accommodation designed to foster interaction and maintain a friendly atmosphere.
Organizers emphasize that participants experiencing submission difficulties will have one week to correct or resubmit their applications. All communication regarding the call for applications will be directed to pp.candidaturesgmail.com, with participants advised to monitor both email and spam folders during the application period. The festival reserves the right to disclaim responsibility for changes or cancellations beyond its control.
