Open Call: Arab Documentary Photography Program

Ali Al Shehabi

Since 2014, the Arab Documentary Photography Program (ADPP) has supported over 94 photographers whose creative approaches to visual storytelling challenge conventional narratives about the region. Now entering its eleventh year, the program continues to amplify essential stories in the Arab region and beyond. Applications to the 2025 ADPP cycle are due September 12, 2024.

ADPP is a joint initiative of the Arab Fund for Arts and Culture, the Prince Claus Fund, and the Magnum Foundation.

Documentary photography sheds light on important neglected and unknown narratives. The Arab Documentary Photography Program has been dedicated to supporting unconventional, compelling, non-stereotypical visual documentation of social issues and narratives relevant to the Arab region. The program has proved itself to be a major springboard to emerging Arab photographers, granting access to the needed resources and adequate professional support to initiate and complete compelling documentary photography projects.

Even so, structural issues remain, and documentary photography practices tend to stand overlooked. With every new cycle of the Arab Documentary Photography Program, we commit to continuing the urgent work of providing support to documentary photographers in the region. If you are a documentary photographer who works with creative photography practices in the Arab world and transmits critical and socially engaged local stories, we encourage you to apply tothe Arab Documentary Photography Program.

The ADPP explores ways by which documentary photography can reach out to wider audiences and engage with them in an impactful way. Photographers may propose to work in a range of non-fiction narrative styles, from classic documentary photography to more experimental visual storytelling, and may propose to include audio and video elements.

The program provides up to 8 photographers with a $7,000 grant to work on their projects in their country of residence over a period of 10 months. The grant may be used to begin a new project or to complete work on an existing project.

In addition, ADPP grantees will benefit from mentorship provided by distinguished program mentors and will be required to attend three specialized workshops (two in-person and one virtual) to help them develop and produce their projects and consider avenues for distribution. Photographers can apply to the ADPP in either English or Arabic. To facilitate exchanges, access to translations will be provided throughout the program.

Applications are due September 12, 2024 at 5:00 PM (Beirut time - GMT+2). Applications are only accepted through an online application form available on AFAC’s website (linked below).