Social Documentary Network - ZEKE Awards 2026

• Social Documentary Network

• Deadline: January 15th, 2026

• Category: Social Documentary / Systemic Change

• Prize: $2,500 + Publication + Exhibitions

• Entry Fees: Yes

• REGISTRATION: CLICK HERE

Every year, the ZEKE Awards celebrate the power of visual storytelling to reveal truth, spark empathy, and inspire change.

The ZEKE Award for Documentary Photography honors one photographer who uses the camera not just to witness, but to interpret the world—translating complex realities into images and words that move us. The award includes a $2,500 honorarium, recognizing excellence in both the visual and written narrative that deepens our understanding of global issues.

The ZEKE Award for Systemic Change, presented in partnership with the Foundation for Systemic Change, seeks stories of transformation—photographers documenting the long arc of change toward sustainability, justice, and human dignity. With a $2,500 prize, this award focuses on themes like democracy, migration, gender, health, and the environment, with a special interest in works that highlight solutions rather than despair.

To enter, photographers simply create an exhibit on the SDN website, mark it as a ZEKE Award submission, and pay the entry fee. It’s the same process as any SDN submission—only this time, your story could change the way the world sees.