Library Award (EN)



Deadline: March 15th, 2024

The Fotobus Library Award honors the best photo books of the year. All publishers and bookmakers worldwide are invited to submit. Application is free of charge!

The winning photo book of the Fotobus Library Award and the 20 shortlisted photo books will be publicly exhibited at the Fotobus during the Rencontres d’Arles and Polycopies festivals in 2024.

For the inaugural edition of the Fotobus Library Award all photo books that were published between March 2021 and March 2024 in an edition of at least 100 copies are eligible. One copy of each book must arrive together with the submission form via postal mail in Hannover, Germany by March 15th 2024. It’s super easy to submit! No book PDF, no images, no registration, no complicated forms.

All submitted books will become part of the legendary mobile Fotobus Library and will be intensively studied, discussed and loved. Submit your photo books and send them on the road with us!


Submit now!



Jury Fotobus Library Award 2024

The jury consists of a new generation of experts in the field of photo books and is selected from the 1.200 members of the Fotobus Society!

Timetable

Start of application period: January 22nd, 2024
Application deadline: March 15th, 2024
Jury meeting during the Fotobus Spring Workshop in Bad Münder: April 1st – 4th, 2024
Announcement of shortlist with 20 photo books: May 1st, 2024
Announcement of award winner: May 15th, 2024
Exhibition of the winning and shortlisted books in Arles: July 1st – July 6th, 2024
Exhibition of the winning and shortlisted books in Paris: November 6th – November 10th, 2024

FAQs

Can I send multiple books?
Yes! Please submit as many different books as possible! There is no limit to the number of books that each publisher or bookmaker can submit.
Can I place several different books in one package in order to mail it?
Yes. Please make sure to fill out a separate submission form for each book, though. Thanks!
My book is self-published. May I submit it?
Yes! As long as your book has been published between March 2021 and March 2024 in an edition of at least 100 copies you are eligible to apply. An ISBN number is not required.
I’m the author of an unpublished photo book dummy. May I submit my dummy?
No. The Fotobus Library Award is meant for published books that have a print run of at least 100 copies. Please send your photo book dummy to our good friends at the fabulous Dummy Award!
Will the submitted photo books be returned?
No. All submitted books will become part of the mobile Fotobus Library and will be intensively studied, discussed and loved forever.
My book features AI-generated images, can I submit it?
No. We only support photographic work.
My book features other media in addition to photography, can I submit it?
Yes. The core of the work must be photographic. Other elements such as texts, found images, documents, comics, paintings, illustrations, drawings, etc. can also be used.
I would like to submit a text based book, is that possible?
It is possible to submit text based books to our mobile Fotobus Library. We are grateful and will read your book! Unfortunately the Fotobus Library Award will only consider photography based books, though.
I would like to submit a catalog of a photographic exhibition, is that possible?
Yes.
We would like to submit a group work, is that possible?
Yes, photo books by two or more authors are permitted.
Can I apply more than once with the same book?
No. Only during the inaugural edition of the Fotobus Library Award books that have been published within three years, between March 2021 and March 2024, are eligible. Starting from 2025 only books that were published within the year are eligible.
Will my book still be considered if it arrives in Hannover after the submission deadline?
No. But your book will become part of the mobile Fotobus Library and will be intensively studied, discussed and loved forever.
Do I have to be a Fotobus member to submit?
No, you don’t have to be a Fotobus member! If you are interested in a membership, please click hier.

Terms and Conditions

1. Participation

All publishers and bookmakers worldwide are eligible to participate in the Fotobus Library Award. For the inaugural edition of the Fotobus Library Award all photo books that have been published between March 2021 and March 2024 in an edition of at least 100 copies are eligible. All submitted books will become part of the Fotobus Library and will not be returned. There is no limit to the number of books that each publisher or bookmaker can submit. Self published books are eligible as long as they were produced in a print run of at least 100 copies. Unpublished book dummies and artist books are not eligible. Books featuring AI-generated images are not eligible. Photography must be the core medium of the submitted book. Other elements such as texts, found images, documents, comics, paintings, illustrations, drawings, etc. can also be used.

The copyright to the books and their images remains with the applicants. Images of the cover and pages of the submitted book may be used in connection with the Fotobus Library Award, e.g. to advertise the Fotobus Library Award in the following year.

2. Application

Application is free of charge. One copy of each submitted book must be sent together with the filled out submission form to:

Fotobus e.V.
Christoph Bangert
Expo Plaza 2
30539 Hannover
Germany

All books and submission forms must be physically received by March 15th 2024. No exceptions.

3. Winners

The winning photo book of the Fotobus Library Award and the 20 shortlisted photo books will be publicly exhibited at the Fotobus during the Rencontres d’Arles and Polycopies festivals in 2024. Additionally, the shortlisted and winning books will be presented to the 1.200 members of the Fotobus Society by email newsletter and on the Fotobus Society’s Instagram account and website.

Contact

info@fotobus-society.com
+49-151-20738098