FAQ

1. About fotofoto

1.1 What is the mission of FOTOFOTO?

FOTOFOTO exists to amplify photography that engages with social justice realities in Latin America and the Caribbean. We are a community-centered and transparency-driven initiative. Our goal is to redistribute resources directly to artists while building a participatory and regionally grounded jury model.

1.2 Who organizes FOTOFOTO?

The Prize is organized by an independent nonprofit initiative committed to social justice, regional representation called KOMONA. This organization consists of two people from African and Afro-Latino descent.

2. Eligibility

2.1 Who can apply as a photographer?

You may apply if:

You are 18 years or older.
You are a citizen, resident (legal or non-legal), or member of the Latin American or Caribbean diaspora.
Your submitted work focuses geographically on Latin America or the Caribbean.
Your work addresses a social justice theme.

Photographers who are not citizens, residents, or diaspora members of the region are not eligible — even if their work focuses on the region.

Proof of citizenship, residency, or diaspora relation will be required if you are selected as a winner.

2.2 What qualifies as diaspora?

Diaspora applicants must demonstrate verifiable familial, cultural, or national ties to a Latin American or Caribbean country. Documentation will be requested only from selected winners.

2.3 Can I apply both as a photographer and as a jury member?

No. Each individual may participate only once per edition — either as a photographer or as a jury applicant.

3. Thematic & Geographic Requirements

3.1 Is there a required theme?

Yes. All submitted works must clearly engage with a social justice issue. The Jury retains discretion in determining whether a submission meaningfully relates to social justice.

3.2 Must the work focus on a specific geographic area?

Yes. All submitted photographs must have a geographic focus on Latin America or the Caribbean.

Works that do not meet both the thematic and geographic requirements will not be considered.

4. Submission Rules

4.1 How many photographs can I submit?

Each participant may submit 1 to 5 original photographs per edition.

4.2 Can I submit more than once?

No. Only one submission per person per edition is allowed.

4.3 Are there technical requirements?

Yes. Each file must:

Not exceed 5 MB
Follow the format and technical specifications visible on the uploading area.

4.4 When must the photographs have been taken?

Images must have been taken within the last three years or be newly produced original work.

4.5 Is AI allowed?

The use of generative AI is strictly prohibited.

We strongly discourage the use of AI tools in general. Any use of AI that substantially alters the original photographic reality — including synthetic additions, removals, or transformations — may result in disqualification.

Selected winners must provide their RAW files or negatives for verification. Failure to provide authentic source files will result in disqualification.

5. Entry Fees & Financial Transparency

5.1 What is the entry fee?

The entry fee is USD 15 (plus applicable taxes).

5.2 How is the fee allocated?

For every USD 15 entry:

USD 5 goes directly to the First Prize
USD 2 goes directly to the Second Prize
The remainder supports jury compensation, platform infrastructure, promotion, and operational costs

5.3 Is there a limit to the number of participants?

Yes. Participation is limited at 50,000 entries per edition.

6. Prize Structure

6.1 How are the prizes calculated?

Prizes are directly proportional to participation.

First Prize = Number of participants × USD 5
Second Prize = Number of participants × USD 2

Examples:

100 participants → $500 (1st) / $200 (2nd)
1,000 participants → $5,000 (1st) / $2,000 (2nd)
10,000 participants → $50,000 (1st) / $20,000 (2nd)

Taxes are deducted before transfer.

6.2 When will winners be announced?

Applications are open from March 1st to June 30th 2026.

Winners will be announced on August 31st 2026.

Prize payments will be completed no later than September 30th 2026.

6.3 What documentation is required from winners?

Selected winners must provide:

Proof of citizenship, residency, or diaspora status.
Proof of authorship and ownership of the winning image(s).
RAW files or negatives.
Valid bank account information.

Failure to provide documentation may result in disqualification.

Knowing that bank accounts can be tricky, FOTOFOTO will remain flexible in case the winner doesn’t have a bank account.

7. Jury System

7.1 Who can apply to be a Jury member?

Jury applicants must:

Be 18 years or older
Hold legal nationality in a Latin American or Caribbean country
Have resided in the region for at least five consecutive years

There are no additional professional requirements.

7.2 How are Jury members selected?

After the submission deadline, Jury members are selected through a randomized software sorting process.

Selection and announcement will take place during the first week of July.

7.3 Is serving on the Jury paid?

Yes. Jury members are compensated at an average rate of USD 30 per hour, up to a maximum of USD 3,000 (before taxes).

All Jury compensation will be completed by September 30th 2026.

7.4 Is the Jury public?

No. Jury identities are not disclosed publicly to protect independence and prevent influence.

However, after the winners announcement, the identity of jury members can be revealed (only with consent) through FOTOFOTO social media, for transparency.

7.5 How does the evaluation process work?

The evaluation occurs in two phases:

Phase 1:
Each Jury member reviews a designated number of entries and selects their 10 preferred submissions.

Phase 2:
All shortlisted works are reviewed collectively by the full Jury.
Each Jury member ranks their top 20 works using a point system.
The two entries with the highest cumulative scores are declared First and Second Prize winners.

All Jury decisions are final.

8. Exhibition

If total participation exceeds 20,000 entries:

The First and Second Prize winners will be invited to a joint physical exhibition in a Latin American or Caribbean city.
Travel, accommodation, and per diems will be provided.
Local communities will be invited.
A free public lottery for printed artworks may be organized.

9. Intellectual Property & Image Use

9.1 Do photographers retain copyright?

Yes. Photographers retain full copyright of their work.

9.2 How will images be used?

By submitting, participants grant the Prize a non-exclusive license to use submitted images for:

Promotion of the current edition
Promotion of future editions
Communications and outreach materials

9.3 What happens to submitted files?

The top 20 evaluated works will be retained for up to one year for licensing and promotional purposes.

All other submitted files will be permanently deleted to reduce digital environmental impact.

10. Organizational Transparency

The combined annual gross compensation for the two founders of the Prize is strictly limited to USD 100,000. This cap does not include contractors or Jury compensation.

Any surplus funds after operational costs are reinvested into social justice initiatives, artist residencies, and grant programs.

11. Data Protection & Legal Agreement

All participants and Jury members must sign a binding agreement outlining rights, obligations, and intellectual property terms.

We are committed to protecting personal data. Participants have the right to:

Access their personal information
Request correction
Request erasure
Exercise the right to be forgotten

Material updates to the Regulations will be communicated via email and published on the Prize Website.

Submission implies full acceptance of all current Regulations and updates.