The Fotobus Library Award honors the 20 best photo books of the year. All publishers and bookmakers worldwide are invited to submit. Application is free of charge!
The winning photo books of the Fotobus Library Award will be publicly exhibited at the Fotobus during the Rencontres d’Arles and Polycopies festivals in 2025.
All photo books that were published between March 2024 and March 2025 in an edition of at least 100 copies are eligible for the Fotobus Library Award. One copy of each book must arrive together with the submission form via postal mail in Hannover, Germany by March 15th 2025. It’s super easy to submit!
All submitted books will become part of the legendary mobile Fotobus Library and will be intensively studied, discussed and loved. Submit your photo books and send them on the road with us!
Jury Fotobus Library Award 2025
The jury consists of the student members of the Fotobus Society!
Timetable
- Start of application period: January, 2025
- Application deadline: March 15th, 2025
- Jury meeting during the Fotobus Spring Workshop in Bad Münder: April, 2025
- Announcement of winners: May, 2025
- Exhibition of the winning books in Arles: July 7th – 13th, 2025
- Exhibition of the winning books in Paris: November 13th – 16th, 2025
FAQs
Can I send multiple books?
Yes! Please submit as many different books as possible! There is no limit to the number of books that each publisher or bookmaker can submit.
Can I place several different books in one package in order to mail it?
Yes. Please make sure to fill out a separate submission form for each book, though. Thanks!
My book is self-published. May I submit it?
Yes! As long as your book has been published between March 2024 and March 2025 in an edition of at least 100 copies you are eligible to apply. An ISBN number is not required.
I’m the author of an unpublished photo book dummy. May I submit my dummy?
No. The Fotobus Library Award is meant for published books that have a print run of at least 100 copies. Please send your photo book dummy to our good friends at the fabulous Dummy Award!
Will the submitted photo books be returned?
No. All submitted books will become part of the mobile Fotobus Library and will be intensively studied, discussed and loved forever.
My book features AI-generated images, can I submit it?
No. We only support photographic work.
My book features other media in addition to photography, can I submit it?
Yes. The core of the work must be photographic. Other elements such as texts, found images, documents, comics, paintings, illustrations, drawings, etc. can also be used.
I would like to submit a text based book, is that possible?
It is possible to submit text based books to our mobile Fotobus Library. We are grateful and will read your book! Unfortunately the Fotobus Library Award will only consider photography based books, though.
I would like to submit a catalog of a photographic exhibition, is that possible?
Yes.
We would like to submit a group work, is that possible?
Yes, photo books by two or more authors are permitted.
Can I apply more than once with the same book?
No. You can only submit a book once.
Will my book still be considered if it arrives in Hannover after the submission deadline?
No. But your book will become part of the mobile Fotobus Library and will be intensively studied, discussed and loved forever.
What happens if my book gets stuck in customs?
The book will be returned to you. Unfortunately we are not able to pay customs fees.
Do I have to be a Fotobus member to submit?
No, you don’t have to be a Fotobus member! If you are interested in a membership, please click here.
Terms and Conditions
1. Participation
All publishers and bookmakers worldwide are eligible to participate in the Fotobus Library Award. All photo books that have been published between March 2024 and March 2025 in an edition of at least 100 copies are eligible. All submitted books will become part of the Fotobus Library and will not be returned. There is no limit to the number of books that each publisher or bookmaker can submit. Self published books are eligible as long as they were produced in a print run of at least 100 copies. Unpublished book dummies and artist books are not eligible. Books featuring AI-generated images are not eligible. Photography must be the core medium of the submitted book. Other elements such as texts, found images, documents, comics, paintings, illustrations, drawings, etc. can also be used.
The copyright to the books and their images remains with the applicants. Images of the cover and pages of the submitted book may be used in connection with the Fotobus Library Award, e.g. to advertise the Fotobus Library Award in the following year.
2. Application
Application is free of charge. One copy of each submitted book must be sent together with the filled out submission form to:
Fotobus e.V.
Christoph Bangert
Expo Plaza 2
30539 Hannover
Germany
All books and submission forms must be physically received by March 15th 2025. No exceptions. Please make sure that your book does not get stuck in customs! Unfortunately we are not able to pay customs fees. In this case your book will be returned to you.
3. Winners
The winning photo books of the Fotobus Library Award will be publicly exhibited at the Fotobus during the Rencontres d’Arles and Polycopies festivals in 2025. Additionally, the winning books will be presented to the 1.500 student members of the Fotobus Society by email newsletter and on the Fotobus Society’s Instagram account and website.
Contact: library@fotobus-society.com
Winner Fotobus Library Award 2024
5 Dollars for 3 Minutes
Cammie Toloui
The project was photographed in the early 90s when Cammie Toloui was working as a stripper at the Lusty Lady Theater in San Francisco to fund her photojournalism degree at San Francisco State University.
Customers who paid to view her naked body and watch her perform sex acts on herself were offered a discounted price if they consented to being photographed. The resulting series of black and white photographs, baroque-like in their dramatic lighting, are free of any prejudice. lnstead. they are compeflingly imbued with a deep sense of curiosity and understanding, with each photograph revealing a broad spectrum of sexuality. fetishes. and often-private aspects of masculinity.
