Un/Fund 05 Publishing Open Call

In collaboration with Witty Books, one un/represented, early-career photographer will develop and publish their first photo books fully funded by un/produced.

Overview

The call is designed to turn a single photographer's body of work into a fully published, tangible photobook. Fully funded by un/produced and published in collaboration with independent publisher Witty Books, this initiative offers one selected photographer complete financial support, eliminating production costs while providing professional guidance through every phase of the publishing journey – from initial image editing and sequencing to final material design and distribution.

Open to work that is completed or currently in progress, with no book dummy required, the open call prioritizes creative experimentation, critical thinking, and compelling photographic narratives without requiring prior book-making experience. Beyond book publication, the recipient joins the supportive un/fund community and gains widespread platform exposure across both un/fund and un/produced networks.

Practical Info

The call is open internationally to unrepresented, early-career photographers – including creative duos – who have up to seven years of professional practice (excluding career breaks for parental leave, illness, or caregiving) and have not yet published a photobook. Applicants must submit up to 30 images from a single project along with a project statement and a short biography, with all materials provided in English.

The shortlist will be announced in early December 2026, followed by the prize recipient announcement in mid-December 2026.

About Un/Fund

un/fund is an initiative dedicated to supporting early-career and unrepresented photographers across international artistic communities. Through recurring open calls and grant opportunities—now spanning five editions—un/fund provides critical financial backing, platform promotion, and network-building resources to emerging artists. Operating alongside un/produced, the platform acts as both a catalyst for new talent and an active supporter of underrepresented or overlooked photographic narratives, easing the financial barriers often associated with production, exhibition, and publishing in contemporary visual art.

About Witty Books

Founded in Turin in 2012 by Tommaso Parrillo, Witty Books is an independent publishing house dedicated to contemporary photography and visual arts. Known for working closely with artists on every step of the bookmaking process, Witty Books treats sequencing, rhythm, tactile form, and material choices as integral components of visual storytelling. By partnering with un/fund for this edition, Witty Books brings its expertise directly to the selected artist, helping them shape an existing body of work into a thoughtfully designed, physical publication.