XRAY Photojournalism Competition 2027

XRAY Photojournalism Contest is a new photography exhibition dedicated to elevating creative, independent photographic journalistic work about protest and resistance. Themes like activism, social justice, climate resistance movements and personal acts of resistance will be our focus for the first edition. 

Based out of independent art venue Cafe Ray in Sweden, our call for entries is international. As a creator, you do not need to be a registered member of the press. Our focus is on works by emerging photographers, with professional photojournalists also welcomed to submit. We ask for a link to your works, a completed submission form and the entry fee of €20.27.

We welcome photo essays and as well as individual photographs, in color or black & white, shot on a traditional SLR camera, digital camera or smartphone (Smartphone photographs are permitted only when captured in standard shooting mode; submissions created using HDR, portrait mode, creative lighting effects, or panorama mode are not eligible.

Together with the judging committee we will decide the final line up by early December 2026. Our goal is to create a full exhibition of 12 nominated photographic works to launch at the end of January 2027 in an exhibition at Cafe Ray. The jury will decide the winner. These winners will be announced at the opening. 

Your photos should have been taken between January 1, 2025 and November 2026 and address the theme of protest. We welcome all styles of photography, including portraiture and landscapes, that capture the emotion and energy of the art of protest.

Submissions opening soon.

Rules for participation are here.

Support the project here:

https://whydonate.com/fundraising/xray-photojournalism-contest