FRANKFURT.- The German Photobook Award 24|25 has announced its nominees, as the jury's decisions are now in. The first stop for the exhibition of nominated books will be the renowned Frankfurt Book Fair, taking place from October 16 to 20, 2024, in Hall 3.1, J91. This marks the beginning of a celebration of photography and book artistry from the D-A-CH region—Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
A Rigorous Selection Process
As in previous years, photo and art book experts gathered in September at the Städtische Galerie in the "Leerer Beutel" in Regensburg. Invited by the non-profit Festival Fotografischer Bilder e.V., six jurors from Austria, Germany, and Switzerland convened to review over 300 submitted titles and compile a longlist of nominees. Eligibility extended to individuals born or residing in the D-A-CH region, as well as to publishers based there. The submissions came from across Europe, North, and South America, reflecting a high standard of quality. The jury faced a challenging task, as the level of competition was intense.
In the scenic setting of Regensburg’s old town, the jurors took two days to carefully examine, assess, and nominate the submissions amidst the pleasant late summer temperatures. The discussions were passionate and often intense, reflecting a deep commitment to the art of the photobook. Despite differing opinions, the jury remained united in their dedication to recognizing excellence in the field.
The Jurors of 2024
This year’s jury included a diverse group of experts: Ruth Horak, a photo and art theorist from Vienna; Dr. Anja Schürmann, a researcher at the Cultural Studies Institute in Essen; Barbara Hofmann-Johnson, director of the Museum of Photography Braunschweig; Hans Michael Koetzle, an author and cultural awardee of the German Society for Photography from Munich; Thomas Fühser of the Swiss photo magazine SWAN; and Stefan Hanke, a photo artist from Regensburg. Additionally, Professor Dr. Bernd Stiegler from the University of Konstanz contributed his insights remotely, focusing particularly on the theoretical texts in the "Phototheory" category.
A Spectrum of Photography and Artistry
The awards recognize a wide range of photobooks, from exhibition catalogues to artist monographs, conceptual photo books, student projects, and theoretical works. In twelve categories, an independent jury awards Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals to honor the most exceptional entries. This diversity highlights the ever-evolving landscape of photography and photobook publishing.
The German Photobook Award has a rich history, having been established over 25 years ago. It has been based in Regensburg, Bavaria, since 2022. Prior to that, the award was organized by the German Publishers and Booksellers Association until 2016, and later by the Stuttgart Media University until 2021. Since 2022, the non-profit Festival Fotografischer Bilder e.V., headquartered in Regensburg, has taken over the organization of the competition.
Showcasing Excellence at the Frankfurt Book Fair
The Frankfurt Book Fair, the world’s largest event of its kind, will serve as the first exhibition venue for the nominees. From October 16 to 20, 2024, visitors can explore the nominated photobooks at a dedicated booth in Hall 3.1. The booth, supported by the Frankfurt Book Fair, will not only highlight the German Photobook Award and the featured titles but also spotlight Regensburg and the International Festival of Photographic Images.
Celebrating the Winners
The official award ceremony will take place on Saturday, November 23, 2024, in the Städtische Galerie im Leeren Beutel in Regensburg. During this event, Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals will be presented to the winning entries in a public ceremony. The event is free of charge, inviting all photography and book enthusiasts to celebrate the achievements in photobook publishing. Simultaneously, an exhibition featuring the work of Düsseldorf-based artist Morgaine Schäfer will open, in collaboration with the Museum of Photography Braunschweig.
A Year-Long Exhibition Tour
Following the award ceremony, the winning photobooks will embark on a year-long exhibition tour across Germany, Europe, and Asia. This tour aims to share the creative excellence of the D-A-CH region’s photobooks with a wider audience, further cementing the importance of this art form on the global stage.
Building a Lasting Legacy with the Photobook Archive
An essential part of the German Photobook Award’s mission is to ensure the long-term visibility and accessibility of the submitted photobooks. In this endeavor, two significant libraries have partnered with the organizers: the State Library of Regensburg and the Art and Museum Library of Cologne. All submitted titles, regardless of whether they received an award, will become part of a dedicated photobook archive in Regensburg and Cologne. This ensures that every photobook entered into the competition will be preserved and made accessible to the public for future generations.
As the German Photobook Award 24|25 prepares to launch its celebration of photography at the Frankfurt Book Fair, the event promises to be a significant cultural moment, connecting artists, publishers, and readers with the rich world of photobook artistry.
