The submission period begins on June 15, 2026!
With "HOW TO/GATHER," this year we explore queer spaces as places of gathering where identities can unfold freely and develop in all their diversity. We are interested in relationships that exist beyond heteronormative and patriarchal structures: What do friendship, romantic love, and family mean outside these norms? What happens when queer communities are threatened, when access to queer spaces is limited, and when the free expression and development of one’s identity is not possible?
Until August 31, 2026, all individuals residing in Germany, the EU, or the United Kingdom who are at least 18 years old at the time of submission and identify as part of the LGBTQIA+ community are invited to submit photographic works that engage with these questions.
For more information, please visit the competition page.
Please make sure to read our FAQs and Terms & Conditions carefully.
Gaze – der queere Photoaward wird unterstützt von
©Genesis Kahveci
News
09.07.26
Why we charge a €15 submission fee
We spent a long time weighing up whether or not to charge a submission fee. We view our ultimate decision to charge a fee as a necessary evil. Many open calls charge a submission fee. And yes, it’s a nuisance; it can create barriers and make an open call – which is supposed to be open to everyone—seem less open.
As you may know, the state of cultural funding is not good. Particularly in the area of LGBTQIA+ projects, there are hardly any financial resources left. Our funds are very limited. The income from the entry fees is an important financial resource for us to cover the costs of the competition. Without it, we wouldn’t have been able to hold Gaze 2026—a project that received so much support and love in its first year would already have come to an end. We didn’t want to do that to ourselves or to you. We realise that €15 can be a lot. We also realise that passing this cost on to you isn’t the ideal solution. Nevertheless, we hope for your understanding and are open to suggestions on how we can handle entry fees in the coming years.
10.06.26
The submission period opens on June 15.
Under the title "HOW TO/GATHER — Queer Communities in Photography," Gaze 2026 is seeking photographic works that explore queer spaces, forms of community, care, and so-called chosen families.
For more information, please visit the contest page or go directly to the submission platform Picter.
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