Photography contest “SOFIA: OLD EUROPE, NEW ENERGY“

Photography Contest “SOFIA: OLD EUROPE, NEW ENERGY”

Visit Sofia | Sofia Tourism Administration is proud to announce a photography contest dedicated to our capital city. We are looking for visual stories that showcase Sofia as exciting, authentic and alive. The competition features four categories under the overarching theme “SOFIA: OLD EUROPE, NEW ENERGY”.

All participants will receive an honorary certificate and an opportunity for their photos to represent Sofia as an exciting tourist destination all over the world. The organizers will select a final collection of the most impactful photographs. The finalist authors will receive a financial honorarium and their work will be featured in an official exhibition at the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Warsaw, Poland.

Contest theme

The open call is divided into 4 thematic categories. Each participant is entitled to submit only 1 photo per category:

1. Historical Layers

Sofia is a city with thousands of years of history. Tell its story through frames where the main characters are the past, archaeology and architectural heritage from the city's various historical periods.

2. Green Sofia

Nature is an integral part of Sofia. Show the interaction between people, parks, mineral springs, the mountain and the connection with nature.

3. Cultural and Religious Tolerance

Sofia is a space of connection, where different cultures and religions coexist in peace. Capture sacred places and urban details, spiritual dialogue and mutual respect between different cultures and traditions in the heart of Sofia.

4. City Vibe

Residents and visitors often describe Sofia as full of life, exciting and intriguing. Capture the emotion of events, places, people, the hidden charm of neighborhoods and the moments that make the capital feel even more alive.

Deadline

Application Deadline: 25 October 2026, by 23:59 (EEST)

Announcement of the Final Selection: 5 November 2026

Exhibition Opening in Warsaw: November 2026

Awards

In addition to recognition and public exposure, all participants will benefit from:

● Impact / Contribution to Sofia:

The opportunity for their photographs to represent Sofia all over the world.
● Certificate:

Each participant will receive an honorary certificate from Sofia Tourism Administration | Visit Sofia.

Award for the authors of the selected photographs:

● Participation in an international exhibition:

All selected photographs will be featured alongside the author's name and a short description in an exhibition at the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Warsaw, Poland. Printing and organizational costs are fully covered by Sofia Tourism Administration | Visit Sofia.
● Financial honorarium:

A fixed honorarium of 150 EUR will be paid for each selected photograph. (If an author has photos selected in more than one category, they will receive an honorarium for each approved image.)

Terms of Entry & Technical Requirements

The contest is open to professional and amateur photographers from all over the world who are over 18 years old.
Submission Limit: A participant may submit a maximum of 4 photos in total: 1 for each of the four categories. Submitting more than 1 photo within the same theme is not permitted.
Technical Specifications: Files must be in JPEG/JPG format, high resolution: minimum 24 Megapixels (MP) or a file with a long edge of at least 6000 pixels. No digital frames, watermarks, logos or signatures are allowed on the image.
File Naming Convention: Category_First-Name_Last-Name_Title.jpg (Example: Historical layers_John_Smith_Largo.jpg)
Description: Photographs must be accompanied by the author's first and last name, along with a short description of up to 50 words, which will serve as the basis for presenting the image. The organizers reserve the right to edit the description for exhibition purposes.
Relevance: Photographs must be recent and taken within the last few years. The objects and locations depicted must reflect their current and actual appearance. Old archives and photos of locations that are currently drastically changed, renovated or no longer exist will not be accepted.
AI Ban & Authenticity Verification: Images generated fully or partially using Artificial Intelligence (AI) are strictly prohibited. All entries must be authentic, human-made photographs. The organizers reserve the right to request the original unedited file (RAW file or unedited file with EXIF data) from the finalists for a technical audit before final approval. Refusal to provide this file will lead to disqualification.

Copyright & Intellectual Property

● By entering the contest, applicants declare that they are the sole authors of the submitted photographs and hold full copyright over them.
● If recognizable individuals (people) appear in the photographs, the author guarantees that they have obtained their explicit consent for filming and public display. If minors (children) are depicted, the participant must possess written consent from their parents or legal guardians in accordance with applicable legislation. The Organizer holds no liability in the event of third-party claims regarding image rights.
● Grant of Rights by the Participants: By applying to the Contest, participants grant to the Sofia Tourism Administration at Sofia Municipality | Visit Sofia (written in Bulgarian as: Общинско предприятие „Туризъм” при Столична община), a non-exclusive right (in accordance with Art. 36, Para. 3 of the Bulgarian Copyright and Neighboring Rights Act), which is territorially unrestricted for the entire legal term of copyright protection (70 years) under Bulgarian legislation, to use the photos for the purposes of the exhibition, as well as for future marketing, informational and advertising materials (online and offline), brochures, catalogs, websites, and social networks of the Sofia Tourism Administration | Visit Sofia and its partners. The photographs must not be bound by an exclusive copyright agreement with third parties.
● The authors agree that when the photographs are used for future marketing, promotional, and digital purposes, Sofia Tourism Administration | Visit Sofia is NOT obligated to explicitly credit or display the author's name on or next to the respective image. The author's name will be publicly credited within the exhibition at the Embassy in Warsaw and during the presentation of the contest participants.
● The Organizer reserves the right to retroactive disqualification at any time (including during or after the exhibition) if a submission is proven to be AI-generated or infringes on third-party copyrights. In such cases, the participant bears full legal and financial liability, will be removed from the exhibition and all materials and is required to fully refund the paid honorarium, as well as pay compensation for any reputational damage caused.

How to Apply?

Complete the online application form and upload your photographs here:

OFFICIAL RULES Apply here

For questions: photography@visitsofia.bg

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I apply if I am not from Sofia?

Yes, the contest is open to professional and amateur photographers worldwide.

Is there an entry fee?

No, entry is free.

How many photographs can I submit?

You can participate with a maximum of 1 photograph per thematic category, up to 4 photographs in total.

Can I participate in more than one thematic category?

Yes, you can participate in one, two, three or all four thematic categories. You can upload a maximum of 1 photo per category.

Do I need a Google account to apply?

Yes, you must fill out the application via Google Forms, which requires a Gmail account.

SOFIA: OLD EUROPE, NEW ENERGYPhotography contest