Acknowledgement of Country

Ballarat International Foto Biennale acknowledges that we are meeting, creating and working on the traditional land of the Wadawurrung and and Dja Dja Wurrung People. We recognise and respect their cultural heritage beliefs and relationship with the land. We pay our respects to the Elders past, present and future.

2025 Martin Kantor Portrait Prize People’s Choice Award

View the selected finalists and cast your vote below for the winner of the 2025 Martin Kantor Portrait Prize People’s Choice Award. The winning photographer will receive $1,000 cash prize.

We are honoured to present the Martin Kantor Portrait Prize. This exhibition presents the award finalists at the Ballarat GovHub, Catobeen Room from 23 August to 19 October.

Julie Kantor and Michael Kantor have graciously sponsored this award in memory of their late brother, Martin Kantor. The acquisitive first prize of $15,000 is awarded to an exceptional portrait of a significant Australian recognised within their field of art, letters, science, sport or politics.

Martin was a photographer and philanthropist known for his arresting portraits of famous musicians and artists like Iggy Pop, Grace Jones, Paul Kelly, painter Adam Cullen, Howard Arkley, and conceptual artist Dale Frank. The Australian band, Hunters and Collectors, used his image of the lead singer, Mark Seymour, for an album cover that is a classic representation of Australian rock and roll. Martin founded the well-known St Kilda gallery, Brightspace, and strongly supported environmental causes and First Nations and reconciliation.

Voting for the 2025 Martin Kantor Portrait Prize People's Choice has now closed.