Backlight 2020
Backlight Photo Festival is one of the oldest and largest international photography festivals in Northern Europe. Organised once every three years by the Photographic Centre Nykyaika in the city of Tampere, Finland, Backlight exhibits contemporary photography of social and global importance.
Now in its 16th edition, the triennial stays true to its pioneering spirit in the theme for the upcoming 2020 festival: Related Realities. The 16th Backlight Photo Festival triennial establishes a presentation space for works by creators of fine photographic art and explorers of the scientific world.
Open Call
Backlight Photo Festival welcomes submissions for exhibiting work in the form of an open call. We invite artists of all ages and nationalities to submit photography and art projects related to the theme from June 1 – October 31, 2019. Submission is open to individuals and collectives worldwide and is free of charge.
Those interested in submitting are asked to read the outline of the Related Realities theme and to submit online. Artists will need to write as part of the application an explanation for how their work fits with the theme. The “Project description” field and its “summary” are intended for this purpose.
Backlight 2020: When and where?
Backlight opens from September – October 2020 (exact dates to be announced) in and around the city of Tampere. The main venues of the triennial are Tampere Art Museum, Gallery Himmelblau and Culture House Laikku. Supporting venues (to be confirmed) include Photographic Centre Nykyaika and other galleries, as well as public spaces e.g. the Ratina shopping centre and Tampere University campus.
Works that will be shipped to the festival must be ready for shipment by June 2020 at the latest, and works that will be printed on location must be provided to the organizer also by this deadline.
How to submit?
Projects may be submitted only through the on-line application. The images must be sent together with the completed application form no later than the deadline, October 31, 2019.