Reframing Family: Feminist Perspectives Through the Lens
Open Call: Artist Residency|Female Identifying Photographers
The open call application deadline has been extended to 11.11.2025.
The Goethe-Instituts in Budapest, Chennai and Sofia together with their local partners, are pleased to announce the OPEN CALL
“Reframing Family: Feminist Perspectives Through the Lens”
An International Photo Residency for Female Identifying Photographers
Across cultures and generations, the concept of “family” has been both a site of belonging and a battleground for feminist critique. This residency invites female identifying photographers to explore how family structures and feminist perspectives intersect, clash, and co-evolve. Are feminism and family mutually exclusive? Can family be a source of strength for feminist expression? What kinds of families challenge traditional norms — and how are these stories told through photography?
Eligibility:
Chennai: Hosted by Chennai Photo Biennale, with access to a darkroom and professional facilities.
Sofia: Mentored by Deystvie (LGBTQI+ advocacy organisation in Bulgaria).
Our support to residents:
Please send the following documents by November 11, 2025:
The Goethe-Instituts in Budapest, Chennai and Sofia together with their local partners, are pleased to announce the OPEN CALL
“Reframing Family: Feminist Perspectives Through the Lens”
An International Photo Residency for Female Identifying Photographers
- Are youinterested in a short-term photography residency in Chennai (IN), Sofia (BG)or Budapest (HU)?
- We have an exciting residency for female identifying photographers to explore how family structures and feminist perspectives intersect, clash, and co-evolve.
- You can get to know the local art scene of the city you visit and to learn about local women's rights issues and the relevant cultural context.
- It is a perfect opportunity to focus on your own project development and production opportunity, accompanied by meeting with local curators and mentors.
- Following the residency, an active mentoring program will be implemented, and the projects will be showcased in a comprehensive exhibition in June 2026 in Sofia, Bulgaria.
Across cultures and generations, the concept of “family” has been both a site of belonging and a battleground for feminist critique. This residency invites female identifying photographers to explore how family structures and feminist perspectives intersect, clash, and co-evolve. Are feminism and family mutually exclusive? Can family be a source of strength for feminist expression? What kinds of families challenge traditional norms — and how are these stories told through photography?
Eligibility:
- Identify as a female photographer based in Bulgaria, Germany, Hungary or Tamil Nadu (India)
- Prior work or strong interest on themes of family and/or feminism
- Experience in exhibiting your photography
- Fluent in English
- Available for the residency period
- Residency duration: 3 weeks (January 19 – February 7, 2026)
- Locations: Budapest, Chennai, Sofia
- Participants: Female photographers from Bulgaria, Germany, Hungary and India
- Residency format: Residents will work on their own projects while engaging with the local context and community. Each location offers unique resources:
Chennai: Hosted by Chennai Photo Biennale, with access to a darkroom and professional facilities.
Sofia: Mentored by Deystvie (LGBTQI+ advocacy organisation in Bulgaria).
Our support to residents:
- The residency programme covers flights, visa fees, accommodation, a weekly stipend for three weeks residence and production funding.
- Before the residencies, all participants will be introduced to each other in an online format and discuss their planned works among each other as well as with mentors from all three residency locations.
- Final works will be presented in an exhibition in Sofia in June 2026 curated by a Bulgarian curator (tbc).
Please send the following documents by November 11, 2025:
- Your CV
- Your portfolio (PDF or website link)
- A sketch of your project idea (max. 300 words)
- Mention in the e-mail subject whether you apply for Budapest, Chennai or Sofia
- Applications should be submitted to: kulturna-programa-sofia@goethe.de