We are thrilled to present the 2026 edition of the Australian & New Zealand Photobook Awards. In collaboration with Tall Poppy Press, the 2026 edition of the award will be showcased at MEL Photobook Fair on the weekend of March 21/22. We hope to see you there!
About
From 2011 – 2019, the Australia & New Zealand Photobook Award was facilitated by our friends at Momento Pro who sadly closed their doors in 2024. Since 2021, Photo Collective has worked to maintain this legacy through the custodianship of this significant award. In the spirit of collaboration, each edition of this award has been co-presented with another industry organisation committed to the celebration of the photobook community. In 2024 presented this award in partnership with PHOTO Australia, and in 2026 we are partnering with our friends Tall Poppy Press. Winners announcements and award exhibition will take place at MEL Photobook Fair in Naarm/Melbourne on the weekend of March 21/22, 2026.
Winner Announcements
Winners of the 2026 Australian & New Zealand Photobook Awards will be announced on the weekend of March 21/22, 2026 at MEL Photobook Fair. The fair will be held at Balam Balam Place in Merri-bek, Naarm/Melbourne. All shortlisted photobooks will be on display, we can’t wait to celebrate these beautiful books in person with our community.
Prizes
Photobook
For printed publications
Shortlist:Â Books will be reviewed by a panel of publishers, educators, and artists to deeply consider each work individually and as a part of the broader collective of books from the past two years. Shortlisted books will then go on to be featured on the Photo Collective website, at the Australian & New Zealand Photobook Awards Exhibition at MEL Photobook Fair in Naarm/Melbourne over the weekend of March 21/22, 2026, and within travelling exhibitions as an inclusion in the Australian & New Zealand Photobook Archive.
Winner: We’re currently working with our sponsors to secure a prize for 2026. Stay tuned for an announcement soon.
Entry Price: $55
Fill out the below form and upload your digital PDF, then mail your book to:
Matt Dunne, Parcel Locker 10250 48989, 1 Holmes St, Northcote VIC 3070
Pre-press (digital/dummy)
For dummy books in PDF format (not yet printed)
Shortlist: Pre-press books will be reviewed by a panel of publishers, educators, and artists to deeply consider each work individually and as a part of the broader collective of books from the past two years. Shortlisted pre-press books will then go on to be featured on the Photo Collective website, at the Australian & New Zealand Photobook Awards Exhibition at MEL Photobook Fair in Naarm/Melbourne over the weekend of March 21/22, 2026.
Winner: Publishing support from Matt Dunne at Tall Poppy Press including;
- Support editing, sequencing and creating a printed dummy book
- Advice on printing, including introductions to an appropriate printer
- Mentoring, if needed, regarding self-publishing including budgeting, marketing, and sales advice
Entry Price: $55
Fill out the below form and upload your digital PDF.
Student - Photobook / Pre-press
For photobooks / pre-press photobooks, produced by Students within the given award period
Shortlist:Â Books will be reviewed by a panel of publishers, educators, and artists to deeply consider each work individually and as a part of the broader collective of books from the past two years. Shortlisted books will then go on to be featured on the Photo Collective website, at the Australian & New Zealand Photobook Awards Exhibition at MEL Photobook Fair in Naarm/Melbourne over the weekend of March 21/22, 2026, and within travelling exhibitions as an inclusion in the Australian & New Zealand Photobook Archive.
Winner: Six month comprehensive mentorship program delivered by Photo Collective.
Price: $35
Fill out the below form and upload your digital PDF, then mail your book to:
Matt Dunne, Parcel Locker 10250 48989, 1 Holmes St, Northcote VIC 3070
Declaration of Interest
As this iteration of the Australian & New Zealand Photobook Awards is co-hosted with Tall Poppy Press we want to share some of how we mitigate conflict of interests in our judging process. As many know, Matt Dunne owns and operates Tall Poppy Press, and we unanimously decided that no Tall Poppy Press books should be submitted or considered for any of the award categories. This removes a significant potential conflict of interest from our process.
Being artists, curators, editors, publishers, educators, and members of our local arts communities, we feel strongly about being able to deliver unbiased programs based upon merit whilst still being open about our friendships and affiliations developed over a decade of practice. Photo Collective and Tall Poppy Press assure that our programs operate openly and fairly, towards the best outcome for all participants.