Anna Laza
Vision, impact, and the future of FotoSlovo
Anna Laza
Vision, impact, and the future of FotoSlovo
Founder of FotoSlovo
Jury of FotoSlovo Award 2026
Jury of FotoSlovo Award 2026
Anna Laza is a photographer and the founder of FotoSlovo — an international photography Platform, Magazine, and Award supporting contemporary visual artists. Through exhibitions, book publishing, and global partnerships, she has built FotoSlovo into a dynamic ecosystem that connects emerging and established photographers with meaningful professional opportunities.
Under her direction, the FotoSlovo Award has grown into a respected platform offering major prizes, international exhibitions, and long-term career development.
Under her direction, the FotoSlovo Award has grown into a respected platform offering major prizes, international exhibitions, and long-term career development.
"I see FotoSlovo as a bridge. We connect emerging and established artists with platforms and institutions that matter, we boost careers.
We build contexts in which artists aren’t competing for medals, but they’re supported, seen, and engaged with. Every year, we grow some more, not just in numbers, but in depth and focus."
— FotoSlovo has evolved over the past 11 years into a Platform of educational publications, curated blogs, exhibitions, and International Photo Award. Can you share how the Award is shaping real opportunities for photographers?
— One of our core goals with FotoSlovo Award is to create tangible, career-shifting opportunities for artists. Photography is an expressive medium, but often those with strong work struggle to find platforms that truly elevate them.
With FotoSlovo, we’re not just giving prizes. We offer substantial awards that are meaningful for an artist’s development — from professional visibility and exhibition exposure to publishing support and financial backing. By recognising a wide range of artists, we help photographers take visible, confident steps forward in their creative careers.
With FotoSlovo, we’re not just giving prizes. We offer substantial awards that are meaningful for an artist’s development — from professional visibility and exhibition exposure to publishing support and financial backing. By recognising a wide range of artists, we help photographers take visible, confident steps forward in their creative careers.
— In practical terms, how does FotoSlovo support its Winners and Finalists beyond recognition?
— We’ve built a model that combines prestige with career infrastructure. For Winners, we provide free publication of their books, fully printed and supported by a professional editorial and design team at the publishing house. This literally puts their work into the world in a form that lasts. We also offering major prizes, including €2,000 in cash, a new iPhone, Exhibitions in Art Galleries across Europe.
Finalists also benefit a lot. Inclusion in group exhibitions, presentation at Intrenational photography Festivals, editorial features, Magazine inclusion and more. The goal is not to create isolated moments of recognition but long-term engagement with the professional photography world.
Finalists also benefit a lot. Inclusion in group exhibitions, presentation at Intrenational photography Festivals, editorial features, Magazine inclusion and more. The goal is not to create isolated moments of recognition but long-term engagement with the professional photography world.
— You’ve mentioned international exposure. Tell us more about your Exhibition program.
— 2025 was a landmark year for us. We curated five major group exhibitions across Europe, in Limassol, Paris, Frejus and Bucharest, each presenting the work of FotoSlovo participants in unique cultural contexts. In total, we exhibited 120 photographers — which is a significant number for a single award cycle.
These exhibitions were hosted in cities with vibrant photographic communities, helping our artists connect with collectors, curators, festival directors, and international audiences. It’s one thing to win a prize online. It’s another to see your work on the walls of a respected gallery in Europe, to meet photographers from around the world, to be part of professional community. And this is just the beginning.
These exhibitions were hosted in cities with vibrant photographic communities, helping our artists connect with collectors, curators, festival directors, and international audiences. It’s one thing to win a prize online. It’s another to see your work on the walls of a respected gallery in Europe, to meet photographers from around the world, to be part of professional community. And this is just the beginning.
— What’s next for the FotoSlovo Award in 2026 and beyond?
— We’re expanding in several exciting directions. FotoSlovo Award winners and finalists will be presented at the Limassol Biennale 2027. This is a milestone for us because biennales are major nodes in the arts ecosystem. The inclusion of our artists at Limassol will open doors for future collaborations and festival invitations, especially as we look toward the 2027 international Festival season.
So the Award is about resources, community, and real investment in artistic development.
So the Award is about resources, community, and real investment in artistic development.
— Finally, what is your vision for FotoSlovo’s role in the photography landscape?
— I see FotoSlovo as a bridge. We connect emerging and established artists with platforms that matter. We build contexts in which photographers aren’t competing for medals, but they’re supported, seen, and engaged with. Every year, we grow some more, not just in numbers, but in depth and focus.
The Award reflects a belief: that photography matters, that artists should be elevated and supported, and that communities built around photography can shape and influence the broader cultural dialogue.
I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished so far and incredibly excited for what’s coming next.
Warmly,
Anna Laza
Founder of FotoSlovo
The Award reflects a belief: that photography matters, that artists should be elevated and supported, and that communities built around photography can shape and influence the broader cultural dialogue.
I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished so far and incredibly excited for what’s coming next.
Warmly,
Anna Laza
Founder of FotoSlovo