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ABOUT THE PHOTOBOOK OPEN CALL
FLINTA stands for female, lesbian, intersex, non-binary, trans, agender. The term originated in Germany and may not be common in other countries, but we feel strongly about providing support for FLINTA artists worldwide.
We’ve chosen to support FLINTA artists because we believe access to funding, time, and visibility is still not distributed fairly. This grant is one small attempt to counter that imbalance by creating dedicated space for these voices.
You can learn more about the meaning and history of the term here:
https://minkaguides.com/flinta/
Who is Replika Publishing?
Replika Publishing is an independent, artist-run platform for experimental publishing. It was founded by Youvalle Levy and Freya Copeland in Berlin in 2015, and is now operating between Berlin and Valencia since 2020. They collaborate closely with artists to produce works in small editions which challenge the boundaries of the book as form.
Replika supports artists and work that might not otherwise be published and offers space for under-recognised voices and projects rooted in conceptual depth, material inquiry, and artistic dialogue. Their approach is collaborative, flexible, and considered, with a focus on thoughtful production and a commitment to artistic value.
If the grant recipient gets 50 copies of the photobook, what happens to the other copies?
Replika Publishing will take care of the distribution for the remaining copies. The book will be stocked at Bildband Berlin, and taken to a number of bookfairs throughout Europe and internationally. Any proceeds generated from those sales will go to Replika Publishing to cover costs on their side.
The artsit is completely free to distribute their 50 copies how they see fit, including but not limited to:
- resale at the agreed upon retail price
- discounted sales or gifts to friends/family/collectors
- donations or sales to public or provate collections
- submission to photobook awards (resulting prizes or grants remain solely with the artist)
Replika Publishing can also support the artist in award submissions with any supporting texts or documents, and will provide the artist with guidance on which awards they could enter.
What’s the process and realistic timeline?
This will depend greatly on the selected project. We aim to develop the bulk of the project over the course of summer 2026 but will attune our work schedule to fit with the winning artist's availability. The artist is expected to meet with Replika (online if in person is not possible) on a relatively regular basis throughout this development process and may be required to produce more work or to refine existing work in order to produce the most engaging book possible.
Printing and production methods will be dependent on the content and concept of the book and therefore production timelines will vary. We will be working toward a release prior to the 2027 art/photobook fair season (summer 2027) to maximise interest in the publication. Realistically we are looking at a 8-12 month development, production to launch timeline.
I’m new to photobook publishing, can I still apply?
Yes, absolutely! Replika supports artists and work that might not otherwise be published and offers space for under-recognised voices and projects.
They are not looking for fully developed books, but rather projects that can be developed into books in a collaborative process. They will be there along the way to support in sequencing, editing and every step of the book making process.
Who selects the grant recipient?
For our current photobook open call the final selection will be made by the members of the Sonntag Grant and Replika Publishing teams.
Where does my application fee go?
Sonntag Grant does not generate profits. The application fee helps to cover admin, running, production, distribution and promotional costs.
HOW TO APPLY
You can submit your application in any language however please note, we will use translation software which could potentially mistranslate your application resulting in us reviewing something which was not intended. Additionally, English is our primary language and all correspondence will be in English.
Is there an age restriction?
Yes, you need to be 18+ to apply.
Is there a geographic restriction?
No, applications are open worldwide.
Is AI-generated imagery allowed?
No.
Can collectives, curators, institutions etc. apply?
For now we are only accepting applications from individual artists, however this may change for future open calls.
Can I submit more than one application?
You can submit a maximum of 2 applications outlining different projects.
My biography and project description is longer than the length stated in the guidelines. Can I still submit them?
Please do your best to keep it to the guidelines, however a couple of words over will still be accepted.
Can I propose a mixed media project?
Due to production constraints, the final publication will be a printed photobook. Audio, film, or other media requiring additional formats cannot be included in the production, though they may be referenced within the book (e.g. through QR codes or stills) where appropriate.
Supporting materials such as text or archival elements may be included where relevant.
I am running into technical issues, what do I do?
Please try the following:
- Refresh your browser
- Clear cache and cookies on your browser
- Try an incognito window
- Try a different browser (Chrome, Safari, Firefox)
- Temporarily turn off any ad blockers or extensions
- Try from a different WiFi/data/network connection
If the issue still persists, please reach out to us via [email protected] with a description of the issue, steps you are taking and screenshots of any errors.
Why is the application so straightforward?
Because the Sonntag Grant is about creating time and space, not taking it away. We believe artists should be able to focus on their work, not spend hours navigating complicated forms. We want you to be able to apply for support quickly and easily, so we made the application process as straightforward as possible.
Are there submission fee waivers?
We have a limited number of fee waivers available. If you are unable to pay the submission fee, please reach out to us via [email protected]. We want the grant to be as accessible as possible, and in certain situations (such as a disability, refugee status or economic hardship) we are happy to waive the submission fee.
Please note, should you be awarded the grant, you may be asked for some form of documentation.
I don’t have a credit card. How can I pay?
Please reach out to us via [email protected] to get instructions on how to pay via bank transfer.
AFTER SUBMISSION
In general, no, however if you provided an incorrect link or submitted something that may have a drastic effect on your application, please get in touch via [email protected]
Do I retain the copyright to the work I submit/create?
Yes, you retain all copyright to your work. Please see our Terms for further information on this.
I haven’t received an email about the status of my application. Should I contact you?
Once you submit your application, you will receive an automated response advising it was received. After this, we will reach out with the results within two months of the closing date.
If you do not receive the automated response, first check your spam folder. If you still have not received it within 24 hours please contact us directly.
Please remember, we are a small team and it can sometimes take us a little longer than expected to reply.
Still have questions? Please reach out to us at [email protected]