Federation Internationale de L’Art Photographique Distinctions

The Fédération Internationale de L’Art Photographique (FIAP) is an international federation which affiliates as operational members the national associations of photography. Many of the world's international salons of photography, including the Photographic Alliance of Great Britain (PAGB), are affiliated. FIAP offers seven levels of distinction obtainable by gaining acceptances in FIAP-patronised exhibitions. These are:

●   AFIAP (Artiste FIAP);

●   EFIAP (Excellence FIAP), which extends to the bronze, silver, gold and platinum medals; and

●   MFIAP (Master FIAP).

FIAP also awards two honorary distinctions for services to photography. These are:

●   ESFIAP (Excellence of service); and

●   Hon FIAP (Honorary Service).

The AFIAP distinction is gained by achieving a minimum of 75 points in international FIAP-patronised exhibitions or AV festivals in any five year period. The relevant years do not necessarily have to be sequential - the period can be broken. Twenty percent of the points accumulated must have been achieved in exhibitions held outside the UK. A minimum of 10 different prints or digital projections, or 20 slides, must be used. A mixture based upon the relevant ratio may also be used. Applicants must also have received at least 2 awards (medals, ribbons or certificates of high commendation).

FIAP exhibitions are run and judged in a similar way to BPE exhibitions. Points are awarded as follows:

●   slide acceptance -1 point;

●   print acceptance - 2 points;

●   digital projection - 2 points.

A portfolio of between five and ten unmounted A3 prints, or slide duplicates, of the best accepted work must be submitted for assessment by a panel of judges. The AFIAP distinction is awarded when five or more images pass the assessment. The portfolio is retained by FIAP whether or not an application is successful.

Photographers who have obtained the EFIAP distinction may continue submitting work to competitions and obtain successively the distinctions:

●   EFIAP/B - Excellence FIAP Bronze;

●   EFIAP/S - Excellence FIAP Silver;

●   EFIAP/G - Excellence FIAP Gold; and

●   EFIAP/P - Excellence FIAP Platinum.

The MFIAP distinction can be obtained only by holders of the EFIAP distinction. Applicants must submit a complete curriculum vitae and a portfolio of 20 monochrome or colour prints.  The ESFIAP and Hon FIAP distinctions are awarded for exceptional service.

All applications for FIAP distinctions must be made, using the appropriate FIAP forms, through national federations which are responsible for checking the accuracy of the relevant information. Evidence of acceptances, such as FIAP patronage reference numbers, must be provided. Every accepted image must also be represented by a thumbnail-sized photograph on an A4 summary sheet.