Photo Contest:
Queer Heroes in Focus
Call open until January 31, 2024

In the vast tapestry of history writing and the abundance of stories, myths, and legends, a remarkable and diverse body of queer heroes has been relegated to the sidelines of prevailing narratives. From the classics to contemporary media, these individuals have played a pivotal role in shaping our stories and inspiring change, yet their narratives often linger in obscurity.

When the concept of a hero is mentioned, it typically conjures a very specific image – one of the athletic, able-bodied, straight, cisgender white man in a costume saving the powerless – a narrative that has dominated historical and cultural perspectives. This exhibition call seeks to challenge and redefine this notion, delving into the myriad of stories of queer heroes. It recognizes that heroism manifests in various forms and sizes.

In the face of adversity, lgbtqia+ communities thrive, consistently finding ways to uplift and take care of one another. We encourage submissions that showcase these utopian possibilities of a world where gender and sexual diversity are celebrated. Our aim is to honor those who not only enhance the visibility of our communities but actively contribute to creating a world where lgbtqia+ individuals feel valued, safe, and supported. This celebration encompasses those whose contributions have made headlines as well as those whose impact is deeply rooted in local or personal spheres.

We invite artists to visually explore queer heroism through the medium of photography. Showcase the individuals in your life who you want to celebrate and who have celebrated your existence, creating positive change, fostering safety, or aiding you on your journey to freedom. Whether through small acts of kindness that affected one person or through grand, radical gestures that touched the lives of many, we want to capture the essence of heroism within the lgbtqia+ communities.

We welcome and encourage all forms of photography, including analogue, digital, film, and experimental processes. Images created using artificial intelligence must be labeled accordingly and will be evaluated under additional criteria.

Let’s bring new and lesser-known stories into focus and create a visual tribute to the resilience, courage, and everyday heroism that defines our communities.

Queer Festival Heidelberg is a non-profit organization founded in 2009 in Heidelberg, Germany. Professional and amateur photographers are invited to submit a solo or group project. Projects may contain 10-15 photos and must have the contests title „Queer Heroes in Focus“ as a central theme. Judging criteria are originality, composition, expression of theme and personal expression. The winners projects / works will be shown in different exhibitions and locations during the festival month of May 2024 in the city of Heidelberg, as well as in a timeless digital version of the exhibition on https://queer-festival.de.

Submission Deadline: 31 January 2024