Superstudio Photo Award 2026 is born, created by MIA Photo Fair BNP Paribas and Superstudio Set: a prize dedicated to the students of the best European schools of photography and image – very young, still in training, but already prepared to express an original view on the contemporary world.

MIA Photo Fair, the most important Italian fair dedicated exclusively to photography, and Superstudio, the main centre of Milanese creativity since 1983, have always shared the conviction that culture is a social value and a driver of change.

This award is the result of their long collaboration that has seen them together since the creation of the event. The first edition is dedicated to Oliviero Toscani, an absolute master of photography and creator, together with the founders Flavio Lucchini and Gisella Borioli, of Superstudio 13. His attention to young people and his free and forward-looking gaze continue to inspire this initiative, on the first anniversary of his passing.
The proposed Theme is that of the entire event, Metamorphosi, but expressed in a more personal version closer to the author: DIFFERENTLY ME. Students are invited to engage with the general theme of MIA 2026, “Metamorphosi”, interpreting “Differently Me” through portraits, self-portraits, groups, fashion, post-production, collage or any visual language. The guiding questions explore the codes of contemporary identity, self-representation and the dialogue between photography and artificial intelligence.
A unique and new opportunity for training centres, academies and students. The selected European schools will be able to nominate their best students aged 18 to 28. A jury of professionals will select up to ten young artists who will exhibit their works in the show at Superstudio Più dedicated to the Award during MIA Photo Fair BNP Paribas in Milan in March 2026. MIA and Superstudio will support the finalists with strong visibility through their channels, in collaboration with Fujifilm. A professionalising prize will be the unusual trophy offered to the winner. The young talent selected by the expert jury and by the public’s popular vote at the fair will be offered a full day to carry out their first professional shooting on a theme of their choice, with the help of the necessary creative and technical team. The shooting will take place in Milan, at Superstudio 13, with the support of Superstudio Set and Ephoto and a camera offered by Fujifilm.

The SUPERSTUDIO PHOTO AWARD 2026 will follow this calendar:
November 2025 call opening
Application deadline: 15 December 2025
Finalists announcement: 20 January 2026
Winner announcement: 22 March 2026