PhotOlympic – The World Photography Olympiad

The only global photography competition held in real time.

The tradition of the “Frame24” festival began in Novi Sad, Serbia, in 2014, when photographers from 14 European countries gathered in the streets of the city. Their goal was to introduce people to Serbia’s culture and history through photography, showcasing the life, customs, traditions and distinctive character of its people.
Over the course of eleven years, 11 festivals were held, bringing together photographers from different countries and continents.
In 2024, the festival reached a global audience with the first World Photography Olympic Competition, “PhotOlympic 2024”.
The World Photography Olympiad (PhotOlympic) aims to preserve, promote and develop national and global cultural heritage through the art of photography.
The project was founded and is organized by the “24th Frame” Photography Club from Novi Sad, Serbia, in partnership with the “Art Portrait” Photography Club.
The competition is certified by the International Association of Art Photography (IAAP), with the support of national and international photography federations, associations, communities and cultural ambassadors.
Entries came from 78 countries, including Russia, Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, the United States, Chile, China, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, England, Ireland, France, Germany, Greece and others. A total of 1,314 photographers registered, submitting more than 10,000 photographs. Fifty-five photographers paid the entry fee and competed for 24 places in the final. The final competition was held in Novi Sad, Serbia, from October 4 to 6, 2024.
You can view the results and gallery of award-winning photographs on the official competition website: photolympic.com/Winners2024
PhotOlympic 2025
From January to June, three qualification rounds were held during the online phase of the project. Based on the results, the international jury selected 96 photographers to take part in the semi-final and final stages of the Olympiad.
More than 600 photographers from over 90 countries took part in the 2025 qualification rounds. Their work was evaluated by 50 international jury members across all stages of the competition: the qualification rounds, semi-final and final.
To encourage the exchange of experience and artistic ideas, PhotOlympic 2025 featured masterclasses and lectures by leading international photographers, presentations of new photographic equipment, conferences, and photography tours of exhibition and museum centers. The events brought together more than 600 participants.
You can view the results and gallery of award-winning photographs on the official competition website: photolympic.com/Winners2025
The competition concluded with a grand award ceremony and the closing exhibition “Saint Petersburg Through the Eyes of World Photographers”, featuring more than 150 works by Olympiad participants.
The best photographs from this exhibition were also shown at the exhibition “Saint Petersburg Through the Eyes of World Photographers”, which opened at the Russian House in Belgrade on October 1, 2025. The exhibition later traveled to Novi Sad and Banja Luka.
The exhibition was officially opened by Dr. Ranko Djurović, founder of PhotOlympic 2025 and an art photographer.
A photo monograph, printed on premium paper, was also published. Its 206 pages feature biographies and several photographic works by each author, along with acknowledgments to sponsors and partners.
PhotOlympic 2026
From January to June, three qualification rounds were held during the online phase of the project. Based on the results, the international jury selected 96 photographers to take part in the semi-final and final stages of PhotOlympic.
More than 430 photographers from over 75 countries took part in the 2026 qualification rounds. Their work was evaluated by 48 international jury members across all stages of the competition: the qualification rounds, semi-final and final.
To encourage the exchange of experience and artistic ideas, PhotOlympic 2026 featured masterclasses and lectures by leading international photographers, conferences, and photography tours of exhibition and museum centers. The events brought together more than 600 participants. An excursion to Belgrade was organized for photographers who did not qualify for the final stage.
You can view the results and gallery of award-winning photographs on the official competition website: photolympic.com/Winners2026
The competition concluded with a grand award ceremony and a closing exhibition featuring works by PhotOlympic participants.
The best photographs from the exhibition will also be presented in future exhibitions, including one in Novi Sad.
A photo monograph will also be printed.