Open call: Fotofest Houston 2026

Open call for applications to select two photographers from the Balearic Islands to participate in the Fotofest Meeting Place 2026 portfolio reviews in Houston, USA.

The Balearic Institute of Studies (IEB) has an agreement with the organizers of the Fotofest photography festival to cover the registration fees for two photographers from the Balearic Islands to participate in the Meeting Place portfolio review, which the festival is organizing from March 12 to 16, 2026.

This call aims to select the two participating photographers. It is open to professional photographers residing in the Balearic Islands or originally from the archipelago.

The Meeting Place 2026 portfolio reviews are aimed at photographers who work with photography and/or video and have at least one complete or nearly complete project ready for exhibition or publication.

Meeting Place creates opportunities to present portfolios to a wide range of photography professionals, who will help photographers develop, refine, and present their work. In many cases, the reviewers can tangibly help develop an artist's career through exhibitions, acquisition of artwork, gallery representation, artist residencies, or the publication of work online, in a magazine, or in a book. The list of experts can be found on the festival website.

Selected photographers will have 16 viewings, each lasting 20 minutes.

The IEB covers the registration fees for Meeting Place, which are paid directly to the festival. Additionally, the IEB manages and covers travel expenses (round-trip flight to Houston) and accommodation during the viewings. Selected photographers will be responsible for any other expenses (food, visa, materials) that may arise.

The selection of participating photographers is made by Steven Evans, Executive Director of Fotofest; Sarah Ansell, Director of Meeting Place; and Karen Andrea Müller, Visual Arts Technician at the IEB.

To participate in the selection process, send an introductory email to opencall@iebalearics.org, indicating "Fotofest Meeting Place Houston 2026 Selection" in the subject line.

The submission period is open until January 11, 2026. Attach your portfolio of photography projects and a brief professional summary to the email.

The portfolio must be a low-resolution PDF file. For any questions or inquiries, please contact Karen Müller at kamueller@caib.ieb.es.

The selection results will be announced on the IEB website starting January 19, 2026, and will also be sent via email to all applicants.