THE THEME: PORTRAITS

The photographic genre that made master Galimberti famous throughout the world. 

Our call is open to any interpretation of portrait photography. Color, black and white, surrealist, conceptual, artistic, self-portraits, stolen.

MAIN EXHIBITION

An exclusive showcase featuring 20 emerging photographers selected to exhibit their works alongside Maurizio Galimberti. The projects, entirely dedicated to portraiture, will be displayed in two elegant suites of Palazzo Giureconsulti, creating a visual journey that explores the infinite expressive possibilities of this photographic genre. This event offers the public a unique opportunity to closely admire the work of a new generation of talents and the genius of Galimberti, in a timeless artistic dialogue.

THE AWARD 2025

A competition featuring 100 photographers whose works will be exhibit durind the MAIN EXHIBITION and be evaluated by a distinguished jury composed of representatives from Polaroid, Fondazione Mazzoleni, TheStreetSoup, and Maurizio Galimberti himself. The winner of the Best Portrait 2025 award will receive a cash prize of €1,000, a Polaroid camera autographed by Maurizio Galimberti, and the opportunity to become an official brand ambassador for Polaroid.

AWARD 2025 - HOW DOES IT WORK? 

Send us your 3 best portrait shots! There is no fee for the selection. You will only pay the participation fee if you are selected as one of the 100 finalists. If you are selected, our team together with Maurizio Galimberti will review your 3 shots and choose onet o participate in the physical exhibition in Milano.

During the Gala Night, the prize for best Portrait Photographer of the Year 2025 will be awarded. Faces Award 2025 will take place during "FACES - The Contemporary Portrait", an exhibition where the works of Maestro Maurizio Galimberti and 20 other emerging international photographers will be exhibited.

The selected portrait shots of the 100 finalists will be included in the printed book of the exhibition. Each finalist will also receive a prestigious certificate of participation in the exhibition signed by TheStreetSoup Milano, Maestro Maurizio Galimberti and the Mazzoleni Foundation. 

THE PRINT BOOK. 

All 100 finalists will be included in the book of the exhibition.

The book can be purchased during the exhibition or through our online store.

The book will be sent free of charge to the most important European galleries.

 MEDIA RECOGNITION.

The FACES Award 2025 is designed for you and your work to achieve international recognition. The main Italian media, gallery owners and critics will be present at the exhibition. FACES will also be advertised on the website of Palazzo Giureconsulti and on the website of the municipality of Milan

 THE EXHIBITION FEE.

The selection is completely free. Only if you are selected for the ehxhibition in Milano you will have to pay the fee of 170 euro. 

THE WINNER

The winner of the Award will be announced during the Gala Night. He or she will receive the title of Portrait Photographer of the Year, a cash prize and a Polaroid camera signed by Maurizio Galimberti, and their winning portrait photo will be displayed in the place of honor during the exhibition at Palazzo Giureconsulti. During the occasion, second and third place winners will receive a honorable mention. The Gala Night is a very special black-tie event to celebrate the results of the competition. The event aims to create networking opportunities and media coverage for the winners and all the other finalists.It will feature music, drinks and fine Italian food. Journalist, press members, and industry leads are invited to the event.

YOUR PRESENCE WOULD BE VERY WELCOME but is not mandatory for your participation in the award

THE JUDGES 

The first edition of the FACES Award 2025 will be judged by a distinguished international jury. 

The panel includes Maurizio Galimberti and POLAROID STAFF.

MAURIZIO GALIMBERTI, POLAROID MANAGEMENT, JOURNALIST, PRESS MEMBERS AND INDUSTRY LEADS WILL BE PRESENT TO THE EVENT.

FACES AWARD 2025 IN SHORT 

Award: FACES Award 2025 

Category: Portrait (Color, black and white, surrealist, conceptual, artistic, self-portraits, stolen)

Promoted by: TheStreetSoup Milano and POLAROID

Event Partner: FONDAZIONE MAZZOLENI

Patronage: Municipality of Milano 

Fee: 170 euro to pay only if you are selected for the physical exhibition in Milano

Host: Palazzo Giureconsulti Milano 

Eligibility: All amateur or professional photographers over 18 years of age

PRIZES 

WINNER: 

• 1000 euro in cash

• Portrait Photographer of the Year 2025 award

• Polaroid EB Go Gen2 camera signed by Maurizio Galimberti

2&3 place: 

Honorable mention award

For the 100 finalists:

A certificate of participation(including the 3 winners) signed by TheStreetsoup, POLAROID team, Maurizio Galimberti and the Mazzoleni Foundation. 

The selected image will be printed in 40 x 60 cm and exhibited at Palazzo Giureconsulti in Passi Perduti Gallery during the collective featuring the master Maurizio Galimberti.-

EXHIBITION BOOK

The selected image will be printed in the exhibition book.

VIDEO OF THE AWARD

A video containing the three shots of each finalist will be projected throughout the event.

CERTIFICATE OF PARTICIPATION

You will receive a certificate of participation signed by TheStreetSoup, POLAROID Team, Maurizio Galimberti and the Mazzoleni Foundation.

MEDIA RECOGNITION

The exhibition will be featured on the most important Italian newspapers.

Maurizio Galimberti was born in Como in 1956. He lives and works in Milano. Considered the greatest exponent of Italian instant photography, he has been nominated the official Instant Artist of Fuji Italy. After a traditional approach to photography, in 1983 he was enchanted by the expressive possibilities of the Polaroid, an instrument that allowed him to play with his usual passion: thehistorical avant-garde; becoming his radical and ongoing focus. In 1991 he became the official testimonial of Polaroid Italia and in 1992 he received the prestigious Grand Prix Kodak Pubblicità Italia award.

From 1989 his research on polaroid continued. The portrait of his son was his first experiment using the technique of the "Photographic Mosaic". He began to extend his techniques, which he called "butterfly wings" and "cluster" to different portraits of famous people, such as Johnny Depp, Robert De Niro, Lady Gaga, Umberto Eco, Robert Altman. He also won the cover of Times Magazine, with Depp's portrait.

The Foundation MAZZOLENI promotes cultural events not only with artists of international standing but above all pays great attention to new emerging talents, following them in their artistic and professional evolution.

It organizes a series of exhibition events throughout the year in highly prestigious public contexts, addressing a national and international audience.

The Foundation also sponsors numerous evenings with personalities from the world of culture, Italian business and entertainment.

Since 2009, the flagship annual event has been the Gran Galà Arte Cinema which has the aim of promoting Italian art and excellence in a prestigious context like Venice during the Biennale, by awarding prizes to artists, actors and entrepreneurs.

The Foundation is run by Simona Occioni, entrepreneur from Bergamo and contemporary art gallery owner, co-founder and president of the Mazzoleni Foundation, recently also artistic director of the new company ArtOnline20.

(image on the left: Simona Occioni, President of the Mazzoleni Foundation)

SHOWCASE YOUR TALENT 

in the heart of Milano in the most historical building of the city

CREATE IMPORTANT

BUSINESS CONNECTIONS

with other international photographers 

GET INTERNATIONAL MEDIA EXPOSURE 

and connect with industry insiders, art collectors and potential buyers 

Get featured by Polaroid team

All photographers who participate in the photo exhibition FACES  will be evaluated for the possibility of becoming a BRAND AMBASSADOR OR OFFICIAL MEMBER of the POLAROID family.

FRIDAY 14 JUNE - PALAZZO GIURECONSULTI 

- 11 AM PRESS AND JOURNALISTS ACCREDITATION 

- 1 PM VERNISSAGE WITH MASTER MAURIZIO GALIMBERTI

 THE EXHIBITION WILL BE VISITABLE FROM 1 PM TO 11 PM 

FREE ENTRY 

YOUR PRESENCE WOULD BE VERY WELCOME but is not mandatory for your participation in the EXHIBITION.

SATURDAY 15 JUNE - TheStreetsoup ART GALLERY AND GALA NIGHT

- FROM 11 AM TO 8 PM THE EXHIBITION CONTINUES AT OUR GALLERY IN VIA GONZAGA 7 (FREE ENTRY)

-  9 PM GALA EVENING WITH AWARDS CEREMONY AT THE CAVALIERI HOTEL RESTAURANT (PIAZZA MISSORI) WITH THE PRESENCE OF MAURIZIO GALIMBERTI, ACCREDITED JOURNALISTS AND POLAROID TEAM MANAGERS. 

THE EVENT IS RESERVED FOR THOSE WHO BOOK BY 25 MAY 2025 (The cost of dinner is not included in the faces registration fee).

YOUR PRESENCE WOULD BE VERY WELCOME but is not mandatory for your participation in the award.