Photometria Awards Call for Entries 2026
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• Photometria International Photo Festival
• Deadline: May 31st, 2026
• Judge: Alec Soth
• Prize: Nikon Z30 Kit + Exhibition in Greece
• Entry Fees: Free
• REGISTRATION: CLICK HERE
As the festival reaches its eighteenth edition, it marks an important symbolic milestone, suggesting a moment of maturity and self-awareness. This occasion provides an opportunity to explore the idea of transition in a thoughtful and nuanced way. Coming of Age (18+) focuses on growing up not simply as a matter of age or legal status, but as a complex process shaped by personal change, social pressures, and moments of transformation.
In this process, innocence is not simply lost; instead, it evolves into new forms of understanding. The individual becomes more aware of themselves and their role in society, taking on responsibility while also becoming more exposed to external judgment and expectation. A key aspect of this shift is the development of autonomy: moving away from being defined by others and toward becoming an independent, self-determined person. The body plays an important role here, acting as a space where identity, desire, control, and expression come together. At the same time, identity itself—whether linked to gender, social roles, or status—is not fixed, but constantly shaped and reshaped through experience.
Coming of age takes place in a space between childhood and adulthood, where elements of playfulness still exist alongside the growing weight of responsibility. The ideas of what is “allowed” and “not allowed” are no longer just external rules, but become internalized guidelines that individuals question and redefine. In this sense, “18+” is not just a label, but a symbol of being in between stages—a point where freedom increases, but so does accountability.
The theme also highlights shared and individual experiences of change: making important decisions for the first time, breaking away from the past, seeking independence, or adapting to expectations. It raises questions about how society defines adulthood and what is expected from those who enter it. Rather than seeing coming of age as a final stage, it is presented as an ongoing process shaped by personal choices, social influences, and past experiences.
Overall, Coming of Age (18+) encourages reflection on the uncertainty, complexity, and courage involved in growing up. It invites the audience to consider whether adulthood is a fixed state or something that continues to evolve over time.