queer festival heidelberg 2026

The global political climate is becoming increasingly hostile for queer people. From legislative attacks on trans rights in the United States to the rise of right-wing movements in Europe cutting funds for LGBTIQ+ projects – safer spaces and essential resources for our communities are disappearing.

In the face of these challenges, mutual support within the queer community is more important than ever. As institutional support fades, care work often falls on the shoulders of individuals – frequently unpaid, emotionally demanding, and yet vital. As a result, more and more queer people find themselves in precarious situations.

This year's open call seeks photographic works that reflect how our communities continue to show up for each other under growing societal pressure. We want to see visual stories of resilience, solidarity, and care – whether intimate or collective, quiet or loud.

We are looking for photography projects that explore themes of:

• Mutual support within the LGBTIQ+ community

• Queer care work in all its forms

• Resistance through love, presence, and solidarity

• Everyday moments of protection, healing, and connection

This call is open to queer photographers and visual artists from all backgrounds, regardless of experience level.

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 „Holding Each Other -- Community Care in Times of Crisis" 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 2026 in the city of Heidelberg, as well as in a timeless digital version of the exhibition on https://queer-festival.de. Queer Festival Heidelberg is also currently working on potentially showing the exhibition at further European Queer Festivals.