New Category “AFAF AWARD PHOTO” Added to “AFAF AWARD powered by E.SUN BANK” — Applications Now Open

ART FAIR ASIA FUKUOKA 2026 is pleased to announce the addition of a new category, “AFAF AWARD PHOTO,” to the “AFAF AWARD powered by E.SUN BANK,” an award exhibition dedicated to discovering and supporting the next generation of artists.
In addition to the two existing categories — “AFAF AWARD” for artists active both in Japan and internationally, and “AFAF AWARD GATEWAY” for artists not affiliated with a commercial gallery — we are introducing a new category dedicated to photographic expression: “AFAF AWARD PHOTO.”

We are now accepting entries for “AFAF AWARD PHOTO.”

AFAF AWARD PHOTO — For Artists Using Photography as Their Primary Medium
Open to artists engaged in photographic expression both in Japan and abroad, this category creates meaningful connections with the art market while providing opportunities to meet and gain recognition from influential figures in the Asian art scene.

Conditions
1. No restrictions on age or nationality.
2. Works must use photography as their primary medium of expression. There are no restrictions on technique, including digital, film, print, or manipulated photography (photomontage, digital compositing, etc.).
*Submitted works must be ones for which the applicant holds the copyright.
3. Applications may be submitted as a series or as a single photograph (1 to 10 works in either case).
4. At least one work within the specified size limits must be available for exhibition/sale at the “ART FAIR ASIA FUKUOKA 2026” venue (October 1–4, 2026).
*Applicants must be able to respond to purchase requests from sponsor E.SUN Bank. If works cannot be sold, the selection will be revoked.
5. Must be present at the venue during the exhibition period to manage and oversee the display of works.
*Applicants are required to submit their available hours in advance; scheduling will be coordinated by the organizers.
6. Must be available for load-in/setup (Wednesday, September 30th, 2026) and takedown (Sunday, October 4th, 2026).
Transportation costs for shipping and installing works, as well as travel and accommodation expenses during the stay, are the responsibility of the Finalists.
7. Must be available to attend the award ceremony scheduled during the exhibition period at the venue.
*Award ceremony will be held on October 1st (Thu).

Selection Process
In the first-round screening, multiple Finalists will be selected (to be announced on Tuesday, September 1st). Then, on the load-in day, Wednesday, September 30th, the judges will conduct a final screening to determine the Grand Prize and the E.SUN BANK Award.

Benefits for the Finalists
■Grand Prize (1 winner)
1. Exhibition and sale of works at the special exhibition booth during the fair
2. Feature on the official AFAF website
3. Opportunity for matching with galleries
4. Prize money of JPY 100,000
5. Appearance at the award ceremony (Thursday, October 1st)

■Finalists (multiple winners)
1. Exhibition and sale of works at the special exhibition booth at the venue during “ART FAIR ASIA FUKUOKA 2026”
2. Feature on the official AFAF website
3. Opportunity for matching with galleries
4. Prize money of JPY 50,000
5. Appearance at the award ceremony to be held at the venue on Thursday, October 1st

■E.SUN BANK Prize
Among the Finalists’ works, the work selected for the E.SUN BANK Award will be purchased as part of E.SUN Bank’s collection. The E.SUN BANK Award winner will also be featured on the official AFAF website.
*There may be no work selected for this award.

■Audience Prize
During the fair, visitors will vote for the work that leaves the strongest impression on them among the finalist works on display at the venue. The Audience Award will be selected based on the voting results.

Judges
To be selected primarily from photography critics, curators, and other experts in photographic expression.

Screening Fee
General: JPY 5,000 (incl. tax) / Students: JPY 3,000 (incl. tax) *A photo of your student ID is required.

How to Apply
After completing the screening fee payment by Sunday, August 9th, 2026 at 23:59, please fill out the provided application form by Monday, August 10th, 2026 at 12:00 PM.
Payment Methods: Bank Transfer / Credit Card Payment / Convenience Store Payment / PayPal / Rakuten Pay / PayPay Balance / Mobile Carrier Billing

Schedule
Screening fee payment deadline: Sunday, August 9th, 2026 at 23:59
Application form submission deadline: Monday, August 10th, 2026 at 12:00 PM
Announcement of results: Tuesday, September 1st, 2026 on the official website (tentative)
Exhibition period: Thursday, October 1st – Sunday, October 4th, 2026
(Load-in: Wednesday, September 30th / Award Ceremony: Thursday, October 1st / Takedown: Sunday, October 4th)

Inquiries
ART FAIR ASIA FUKUOKA
E-mail: awards@artfair.asia