Rules

• The competition is open to photographers aged 18 and above.
• The competition does not make any gender distinctions; portraits, landscapes, still lifes, fashion, etc., are all considered. However, fashion photography will be favored.
• Given the dual identity of the festival, fashion and photography, it is desired that candidate photographers have an interest in fashion photography.
• Personal works as well as commissioned works (institutional or editorial) are accepted.
• In case you are selected among the ten candidates presented at the festival during the 2025 edition, you will be required to:
• Participate in the collective exhibition of finalists at Villa Noailles, following the artistic direction of the organization.
• Create a series of photographs using a selection of American Vintage pieces.
• Participate in a meeting with the jury to defend your project orally.
• Meet with festival attendees (professionals, press, public) to present your work.
• Only photographers who have not had a significant exhibition in a gallery or cultural institution of international stature may participate in the competition.
• Photographers enter the competition as individuals and must not be represented by a gallery.

Steps
The competition consists of 2 stages :

Stage 1
Fill out the form and complete the online dossier no later than December 5, 2024 (see details below). All participants will be informed of their selection or non-selection for stage 2.

Stage 2
Candidates selected for stage 2 must send 20 prints previously submitted in stage 1 (see details below). The 2025 jury will meet in January to select the 10 finalists of the photography competition who will participate in the festival.

First Stage
Submit your application on the website by filling out the form below and uploading your image files before December 6, 2024. 20 images in total from 1 to 2 series that you present for the competition only (link).

Second Stage
Candidates selected for the second stage must send:

• Prints of the same 20 images previously submitted by email (see details below).
• A high-resolution, royalty-free image (file .jpg, 20x30cm at 300 dpi) from the series you present in the competition. It will be used for communication if you are selected by the jury.

The jury will meet in January 2025 to select the 10 candidates who will participate in the festival. The results will be announced live on social media @villanoailles and then on the website villanoailles.com. All persons who participated in the second stage will be informed of the results.

To participate, carefully follow the steps described below.

If you have received an email informing you that your dossier has been pre-selected, you must then include in the envelope:

• Prints corresponding to the 20 images previously submitted. Prints can be traditional or digital (inkjet, lambda, light jet, etc.), any other support (slides, etc.) will be refused. Prints must not exceed the format of 30x40 cm. Each print must include on the back, your first and last name, and the title if applicable.
• One or two A4 sheets listing the thumbnails of each submitted file, with the credit mentioned below each: First name, last name, image title, series title, year.
• An English CV page including your degrees, list of exhibitions and publications (magazines, books…) of your work as a photographer, list of awards you have received as a photographer.
• An intention note in English explaining your approach as a photographer (maximum 15 lines).
• An intention note in English about the series you are presenting for the competition (maximum 1 page A4).

Finally, for the return of your dossier:

If you live in France:
An envelope or package stamped with the format of the dossier, bearing your address for its return.
If you do not live in France, you can:

• EITHER provide the necessary packaging for the return of the dossier with your name and address and pay the sum of 20 euros for the return costs of the dossier (it must not exceed 2kgs / additional fees if overweight):

1. by euro check made out to the Association Villa Noailles
2. by transfer, to the account of

Association villa Noailles
International Bank Account Number (IBAN) FR76 4255 9100 0008 0041 3879 136
Bank Identification Code (BIC) CCOPFRPPXXX
specifying “PHOTO 2025” as reference.

3. in cash (only 20 euro bills are accepted)

• OR include a carrier form
  (UPS/DHL/FEDEX or any other carrier ensuring return to the country of departure) with your account number.

As these prints, for the sole purpose of the competition, have no commercial value, it is advisable to indicate “documents, no commercial value” to avoid any delay in customs or customs fees.

• OR, if you wish your dossier not to be returned to you, include a note specifying this.

Send everything to:

Villa Noailles / Photography
Villa Noailles
Montée Noailles
83400 Hyères - France

The festival is not responsible for damages and losses that may occur during transport to/from the event.

• The sender will be responsible for customs duties and taxes for both outbound and return shipments