Festival submissions 2026
Be seen, be supported, and be part of Head On Photo Festival 2026.
We invite photographers from around the world to submit work for the next Head On Photo Festival, presented in Sydney in November 2026.
Our expert selection panel will choose around 30 exhibitions for the Featured Program. Selected exhibitors receive full support from Head On, with curation, production, and promotion all provided at no cost.
In 2026, one outstanding submission will also receive a $5,000 cash award.
Photographers not selected for the Featured Program will still be considered for other exhibition and engagement opportunities across the Festival.
Share your vision, reach new audiences, and experience the energy of Sydney’s streets, galleries, and public spaces as photography takes centre stage.
For full details about Head On Photo Festival, please visit our information page.
Submission fees
Early bird ends 8 March 2026 (Sydney time)
- Youth (under 25 years old as at 29 March 2026): AUD $15
- Festival Friend: AUD $25 (join now and enjoy benefits all year)
- General: AUD $30
After 8 March 2026 (Sydney time)
- Youth (under 25 years old as at 29 March 2026): AUD $20
- Festival Friend: AUD $25 (join now and enjoy benefits all year)
- General: AUD $35
Head On’s submission platform
You must submit your work through this online platform, and you must have an existing account or create a new account on the submission platform (submit.headon.org.au) to use it. This account is different from your headon.org.au account.
Trying to log in but not getting a confirmation code? The three main reasons are: an error in the email address, it has gone to your clutter/junk/spam folder or there is no account with that email (please create one).
We invite photographers from around the world to submit work for the next Head On Photo Festival, presented in Sydney in November 2026.
Our expert selection panel will choose around 30 exhibitions for the Featured Program. Selected exhibitors receive full support from Head On, with curation, production, and promotion all provided at no cost.
In 2026, one outstanding submission will also receive a $5,000 cash award.
Photographers not selected for the Featured Program will still be considered for other exhibition and engagement opportunities across the Festival.
Share your vision, reach new audiences, and experience the energy of Sydney’s streets, galleries, and public spaces as photography takes centre stage.
For full details about Head On Photo Festival, please visit our information page.
Submission fees
Early bird ends 8 March 2026 (Sydney time)
- Youth (under 25 years old as at 29 March 2026): AUD $15
- Festival Friend: AUD $25 (join now and enjoy benefits all year)
- General: AUD $30
After 8 March 2026 (Sydney time)
- Youth (under 25 years old as at 29 March 2026): AUD $20
- Festival Friend: AUD $25 (join now and enjoy benefits all year)
- General: AUD $35
Head On’s submission platform
You must submit your work through this online platform, and you must have an existing account or create a new account on the submission platform (submit.headon.org.au) to use it. This account is different from your headon.org.au account.
Trying to log in but not getting a confirmation code? The three main reasons are: an error in the email address, it has gone to your clutter/junk/spam folder or there is no account with that email (please create one).