Raccont’Arti - Castelfiorentino Prize for the Arts: Contemporary Photography

• Castelfiorentino for the Arts

• Deadline: October 27th, 2025

• Theme: Contemporary Photography

• Prize: €3,000 + Exhibition in Italy + Publication

• Entry Fees: Free

• REGISTRATION: CLICK HERE

What does it mean to see, to be seen, or to have your vision shaped by others? In an era defined by image saturation and algorithmic influence, “The Illusion of Knowledge: The Photographic Image Between Freedom and Control” explores the dual nature of photography—as a tool of liberation and a mechanism of constraint.

This year’s theme challenges visual artists and photographers to confront the role of the photograph in constructing realities, reinforcing power structures, and offering acts of resistance. Can a photograph free us? Can it deceive? Who controls the lens—and who is framed by it?

This international call is open to artists and photographers aged 18 and older, and welcomes a diversity of voices and approaches. There are two categories to apply under:

• The Student Category, open to individuals currently enrolled in or who have recently graduated (within the past year) from academic or artistic institutions.

• The Open Category, accessible to all other eligible participants, regardless of formal training.

Winning submissions will be awarded the following prizes:

• €3,000 for the Open Category winner

• €500 for the Student Category winner

In addition, all winners and finalists (four per category) will have the opportunity to present their work in a curated group exhibition in Castelfiorentino, a charming Italian town rich in history and culture. The exhibition will serve as a space to reflect on the photographic image as both a mirror and a mask in contemporary life.

If you are using photography to question, confront, or illuminate systems of power—this call is for you.