Organizer Information
Founded and led by artistic director Claire Pathé alongside co-organizers Annaka Stretta and Nicole Chriqui-Andreev, Les Mesnographies is an annual international photography festival held in Les Mesnuls, France (Yvelines department, west of Paris). Powered by a core team of cultural managers and 40+ volunteers, the festival transforms public park spaces into open-air contemporary photography galleries. Free and accessible to all audiences, the festival presents site-specific, large-scale outdoor image installations that engage local communities and international visitors.
Title & Description
Mesnographies 2027 - Open Call #7: "The Pursuit of Happiness"
Les Mesnographies has officially opened applications for its 7th edition, inviting photographers and lens-based artists worldwide to submit work centered on this year's official theme: "The Pursuit of Happiness" (La quête du bonheur). Grounded in psychological and philosophical inquiries into human wellbeing, connection, and emotional resonance, the festival asks: What is happiness? Is it a goal, a state to be reached, an inner feeling, or something we construct over time? Selected photographic series will be produced and installed as large-format outdoor exhibitions within a public park setting.
Categories
The call accepts Digital Photography, Analog/Film Photography, Fine Art Photography, Documentary, Conceptual, and Mixed-Media Projects with a photographic foundation.
Eligibility
- Geographic & Career Scope: Open unconditionally to photographers and visual artists worldwide at any stage of their career.
- Family-Friendly Content Requirement: Because selected works are exhibited in a public park accessible to all demographics (including children), submitted series must be suitable for general public audiences.
Program Benefits & Awards
- Outdoor Public Exhibition: Selected series will be printed and displayed in large-format outdoor installations during the 7th edition of the Mesnographies festival in Les Mesnuls, France.
- Festival Promotion: Inclusion in official festival catalogs, website archives, press campaigns, and social media coverage.
- Industry Engagement: Direct connection with festival curators, visiting gallerists, and fellow international photographers.
Application Fee
Participation in the open call is 100% free of charge
How to Apply
Send your completed PDF application document directly to the festival's official inbox.
- Submission Email: mesnographies@gmail.com
Key Dates
- Application Submission Deadline: October 15, 2026
- Notification of Results: Late November 2026 (via email)
- Festival Exhibition Opening: Spring/Summer 2027
Location
The physical outdoor exhibition showcase takes place live in France at:
- Public Park of Les Mesnuls, Les Mesnuls, Yvelines, Île-de-France, France