Open Call: Protest, Everything's Connected

About this call

The Photobook UK and Rapid Eye Darkrooms, in partnership with UNCLE, invite photographers from around the world to submit work on the theme of protest for Protest, Everything's Connected, a group exhibition and zine launch at the Photobook Cafe in London on 11 November 2026. Guest judges Rebecca Zephyr Thomas and Jade Smith select 35 photographers. The call welcomes documentary, conceptual work, portraiture, landscape, still life, archival material and experimental image-making, newly made or drawn from personal archives, and particularly work that goes beyond documenting protest as an event. Ten finalists receive a 30-minute one-to-one mentoring session, three Best in Show photographers are invited to a Photobook UK group exhibition in 2027 with printing support from Rapid Eye Darkrooms, and ten have work shown in a street gallery with UNCLE across London.

Who can apply

• Open to applicants of any nationality
• Medium: Photography
• Entry fee: £25
• Anyone can submit: emerging, established or amateur photographers of any age, background and identity, from anywhere in the world. Work must respond to the theme Protest, Everything's Connected, newly created or drawn from personal archives; analogue, digital and alternative photographic methods accepted; images may be taken anywhere. Works containing discriminatory or offensive content will not be accepted. Fee £25 per submission of 1 to 10 images, non-refundable; you can submit as many times as you like. A portion of the proceeds is donated to Not A Phase and Just Stop Oil. Pay first, then upload images and details through the submission form. If selected, there are no additional costs to exhibit; exhibition prints are produced by Rapid Eye Darkrooms on digital C-Type matte or gloss paper. All submitted works may be featured on The Photobook Café's Instagram and are projected at the opening on 11 November. Deadline 8 November at midnight. The gallery has no step-free access (25 steps).