MIA Photo Fair - III Edition of The Portfolio Parade

• MIA Photo Fair BNP Paribas

• Deadline: January 15th, 2026

• Category: Contemporary Photography

• Prize: Exhibition in MIA Photo Fair + Publication

• Entry Fees: Yes

• REGISTRATION: CLICK HERE

For the third consecutive year, the internationally acclaimed Dutch artist, curator, and visual storyteller Erik Kessels returns to the MIA Photo Fair BNP Paribas with a new and dynamic side program dedicated to supporting and showcasing emerging voices in contemporary photography.

Through a global open call, photographers from around the world are invited to submit their most innovative and daring projects. From this diverse pool of submissions, Kessels will personally select an eclectic mix of unseen portfolios — bodies of work that question conventions, stretch the medium’s limits, and reflect the evolving language of photographic storytelling.

These selected works will converge in a playful and thought-provoking installation that departs from traditional exhibition formats. Conceived with Kessels’ signature wit and conceptual approach, the installation invites audiences to engage with photography in unexpected, interactive, and sometimes humorous ways. Visitors will be encouraged to move, observe, and experience the photographic image beyond the frame.

This special installation will take place during the 2026 edition of MIA Photo Fair BNP Paribas, scheduled from March 19 to 22, 2026, at SUPERSTUDIOPIÙ, via Tortona 27, Milan — one of Europe’s leading platforms for photographic art and collecting.

Under the title THE PORTFOLIO PARADE, the project turns its focus to the dynamics of the art and collecting ecosystem, emphasizing the importance of promoting fresh, original perspectives within a rapidly changing market. Every selected portfolio will receive equal visibility within a dedicated exhibition space, offering artists a valuable opportunity to connect with curators, collectors, and photography enthusiasts from around the world.