Call for Entries and Portfolio Review for 'Limelight 2026': A Stage for Emerging Photographers to Open Up the Future
We are holding 'Limelight 2026' again this year, a support program for emerging photographers where the Grand Prix winner can hold a photo exhibition.
Please apply for the Advance or Showcase category based on the number of works and the desired scale of the exhibition. Starting this year, both categories are open to those aged 39 and under.
To help those who have never held a photo exhibition take on the challenge, we will continue to offer 'Portfolio Reviews' as we did last year. You can receive direct advice on your work and exhibition composition from our reviewers (photographers Makiko Ui and Koichiro Saito).
We look forward to the challenges of emerging photographers who will open up the future.
Talk show video from the 'Limelight 2025' photo exhibition
■ About the Awards
● Advance Category Grand Prix(1 person)
Hold a photo exhibition at OM SYSTEM GALLERY (a 2-week slot provided free of charge in March 2027)
Support for production costs (printing, panel processing, DM production, etc.) up to 500,000 yen
Includes 1-year loan support for OM SYSTEM cameras/lenses
● Showcase Category Grand Prix(1 person)
Hold a photo exhibition at OM SYSTEM GALLERY II (a 2-week slot provided free of charge in March 2027)
Support for production costs (printing, panel processing, DM production, etc.) up to 200,000 yen
Includes 1-year loan support for OM SYSTEM cameras/lenses
●Special Jury Award(1 person) *Selected from among all applicants (Advance / Showcase categories).
Hold a photo exhibition at OM SYSTEM PLAZA Creative Wall (a 2-week slot provided free of charge in March 2025)
Support for production costs (printing, DM production, etc.) up to 50,000 yen
*Rental equipment is available free of charge for each award.
■ Judges
Makiko Ui (Photographer)
Koichiro Saito (Photographer)
■ Submission Period
October 8 (Thu) – October 31 (Sat), 2026 (must arrive by this date)
■ How to Apply
Please prepare the following materials and send them to OM SYSTEM PLAZA or bring them in person.
Submission Period: October 8 (Thu) – October 31 (Sat), 2026 (must arrive by this date)
● Application Form
Click here for the Limelight 2026 application form
● Portfolio of works
*A4 size prints of the candidate works for the exhibition, filed.
*Works shot with a digital camera.
*No restrictions on the manufacturer of the shooting equipment.
Advance category: 35–40 works
Showcase category: 15–20 works
■ Submission Address & Inquiries
[Mailing Address]
160-0023
Estec Information Building B1F, 1-24-1 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
c/o OM SYSTEM PLAZA
OM SYSTEM GALLERY Secretariat
Please send by mail or bring in person.
*Closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays
[Inquiries]
OM Digital Solutions Corporation
OM SYSTEM GALLERY Secretariat (Motohashi/Enomoto)
tel: 03-3466-2951
mail: gallery@om-digitalsolutions.com
*Closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays
■ Portfolio Review *Advance reservation required, participation free
If you have never held a photo exhibition and don't know how to compose your work, or if you want to know how to hold an exhibition, or if you want a professional to look at your work and give you professional advice, we will help you take that first step.
Reviewers: Photographer Makiko Ui / Photographer Koichiro Saito
・Date and Time: July 12, 2026 (Sun) 10:00–17:20
・Venue: OM SYSTEM PLAZA Event Space
・Application Period: Accepted at any time (ends when each slot is full)
・Eligibility: 39 years old or younger, those who want to challenge themselves with Limelight 2026
・Location: OM SYSTEM PLAZA Event Space
Reservation required, 2 people per slot, 10 minutes per instructor, 18 people total, first-come, first-served
・How to apply: By email to gallery@om-digitalsolutions.com
*Remote participation is also possible for the bolded slots ③, ⑥, and ⑨ below (in that case, please send your work in advance)
① 10:00-10:20 ② 10:40-11:00 ③ 11:20-11:40 ④ 13:00-13:20 ⑤ 13:40-14:00 ⑥ 14:20-14:40
⑦ 15:40-16:00 ⑧ 16:20-16:40 ⑨ 17:00-17:20
・Portfolio
Please bring about 35–40 works for the Advance category / about 15–20 works for the Showcase category.
Organizer
OM Digital Solutions Corporation