The international photography competition dedicated to the Mediterranean Sea and its coastline has now opened for entries for its sixth edition.
The 2026 edition of MedFoto is a meeting place for people, perspectives and stories that take the Mediterranean Sea as their starting point. Year after year, the community that gathers around this competition grows and is reminded that every photograph is a unique way of telling the story of the Mediterranean: what happens on its surface and beneath the water, the trades that care for it, the landscapes that define it, and the intimate relationship we have with this environment.
MedFoto 20226, a competition with many ways of explaining the sea
In this new edition, each participant may submit up to 15 photographs, with complete freedom of format and perspective. A landscape that moves you, an everyday scene, a human gesture, a moment of leisure, an underwater detail or a narrative sequence constructed from several images: any approach is welcome, as long as the Mediterranean is the protagonist.
MedFoto 2026 is organised into 8 categories that cover the full visual and human richness of the sea:
- Landscape
Photographs showing the Mediterranean coastal landscapes above the surface of the sea. From the coast to the open sea, from wild landscapes to humanised areas and coastal settlements, always presenting the place with a photographic spirit that plays with the subject, light and composition.
- Wild life
Wild fauna and flora photographed in their natural environment, above the sea surface: seabirds, cetaceans at the surface, flora and fauna of the Mediterranean coastline. Both portraits that seek the species’ aesthetic or character, and images that capture interesting behaviours.
- Sports and leisure
Water sports (sailing, rowing, kayaking, water-skiing, swimming…), attempting to capture their difficulty, skill, spectacular nature or the pleasure of practising them. Also the leisure activities that take place around the marine and coastal environment.
- Seafaring trades
Professional activities at sea and the people who live off it: fishing, sailors, and all professional activity linked to the marine environment. A category that seeks to pay tribute to those who make the sea their livelihood.
- Underwater
Photographs taken beneath the sea’s surface: fish and other animals, plants and vegetation, underwater landscapes and underwater activities. A window onto the invisible world that the Mediterranean conceals beneath its waters.
- Conservation and climate change
Management of marine and coastal natural resources, environmental problems and their solutions, and the effects of climate change. A category that gives voice to the realities that threaten our sea and to the people who work to protect it.
- Popular
Award for the best photograph captured directly in JPEG format using devices that do not provide a RAW file, such as mobile phones, compact cameras, action cameras or drones. Also analogue photographs for which only a digitised JPEG file is available. The theme is limited to the set of the above categories.
- Photographic narrative
A photographic proposal for a set of six photographs on a Mediterranean-related theme. In addition to photographic quality, the interest of the story and the narrative treatment will be taken into account. Each set of six photographs counts as a single entry among the fifteen proposals that may be submitted.
MedFoto Awards 2026: over 3.000€ in total and experiences
Talent will be recognised with an attractive awards programme that includes cash prizes and experiences linked to the Mediterranean region:
| Award | Description | Endowment |
| MedFoto 2026 Absolute Prize | Best photograph of the entire 2026 edition | 1.000 € |
| Category Awards | Best photography in each of the 8 categories | 300 € × 8 |
| Costa Brava Award | Fotografía dentro de los límites geográficos de la Costa Brava (Blanes – Portbou) | A Weekend in a bungalow at Camping La Ballena Alegre for 4 people |
| l’Escala award | Photography within the geographical boundaries of the municipality of l’Escala | One night’s hotel accommodation with breakfast, lunch/dinner and a visit to the Anchovy and Salt Museum or the Salt Store, for 2 people. |
| Nature Comedy Award | Fun or unusual “Wildlife” or “Underwater” photography | Package of products from Empordà + hotel night + subscription to Amics dels Aiguamolls |
In addition to the awards, the jury will select a selection of works to be included in the official MedFoto 2026 exhibition. The same photograph cannot be entered in multiple categories or be eligible for more than one award, except for special awards. The prize money is subject to the appropriate tax withholdings.
For the geographically-defined awards (Costa Brava, l’Escala and Nature Comica), special consideration will be given to photographs that include an identifying or recognisable element of the area.
Open enrolment: 1 April to 15 May 2026
Registration is open from 1 April 2026 and will remain open until 15 May 2026. Each participant may submit up to 15 photographic entries (whether individual photographs or series), freely distributed among any of the eight categories.
The photographic subjects of the competition are the Mediterranean Sea and its coastline. Photographs taken in other geographical areas are not accepted.
It’s time to review archives, create new images, explore the coastline or dive in to capture the story that has yet to be told. The Mediterranean awaits you.
