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Mensa International
PhotoCup
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Think you have what it takes to be the next Mensa International Photographer of the Year?
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PhotoCup competition
Since its launch in 2004, the Mensa International PhotoCup has attracted thousands of incredible images from our members across the globe.
PhotoCup 2026 is our biggest and most popular competition yet, challenging Mensans worldwide to showcase their creativity and capture the perfect, serendipitous moment. The competition features more categories and prizes than ever before, with the winning work showcased globally online and at special events.
Building on the incredible success of last year’s debut, the PhotOlympics returns as a highlight of this year’s competition. Each national Mensa fields a team of its three strongest photos to compete for the global title, and the winning national Mensa earns the crown of “Mensa PhotOlympic Champions 2026“—along with the champion’s cup.
Only for members!
Only for members!
Theme of PhotoCup 2026:
“Spark of Evolution”
Deadline for all submissions: 31 August 2026
PhotoCup 2026 promises to be the biggest and most popular competition to date – a chance for every member of Mensa to showcase their creativity, express themselves, and go for glory!
Mensans thrive on solving the unsolvable – it’s in their DNA. But what’s the formula for the perfect photo? Of course there isn’t one, and therein lies the challenge.
But that buzz you get when you crack an enigmatic puzzle or break a mind-bending code is not dissimilar to that amazing feeling you get when you just happen to be in the right place at the right time – AND you manage to get your camera out before that unique, serendipitous moment disappears forever.
Really? My photo? In a city gallery? Wow!
You never know – that once-in-a-lifetime shot you’re just about to capture could be hanging on a gallery wall later this year! Yes, the “Mensa International Photographer of the Year 2026” could be you!
But there’s so much more on offer this year! With more categories and prizes than ever before, you’ll have plenty of chances to compete and win something special.
Not only that, but your work will also be showcased worldwide on websites and social media channels, and at special events and gatherings in various countries.
More details about categories and prizes will be announced very soon, so watch this space.
In the meantime, get clicking! 📷
Contest concluded
Here’s the entry form
Only for members!
Any comments or questions? Let us know: photocup@mensa.org
PhotoCup 2025 broke all records as our biggest competition yet! Check out the winners!!!
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PhotoCup 2025 Winners
We are delighted to present the winners and award recipients of the
2025 Mensa International PhotoCup!
We challenged photographers from around the world to interpret the theme “Enigma in Chaos”, and the response was truly breathtaking. After careful deliberation by our judges, we are proud to showcase the stunning images that rose to the top.
Please join us in celebrating the incredible talent of this year’s winners.
The winner of the 2025 Mensa International PhotoCup competition was Rónási Márton of Mensa Hungary for his spectacular photo, “Which door should I enter?”.
Congratulations to Márton on becoming our Mensa International Photographer of the Year!
Other Award Winners
PhotOlympics 2025 Champions
PhotoCup 2024 Winners
Last year, the winner of the 2024 Mensa International PhotoCup was Alessandro Moser of Mensa Switzerland with his photo “Fireball.” He was named the Mensa International Photographer of the Year!
The theme of the 2024 PhotoCup competition was “FIRE”.
MENSA INTERNATIONAL
Mensa and the art of photography
Mensa embraces people from all over the world. Our fellow Mensans in neighbouring countries might speak a different language from us, eat different food from us, dress differently from us, and so on, but as members of the worldwide Mensa family, our differences are something to be celebrated. Likewise, we celebrate all the things we have in common – our high intelligence, our love of learning, and our desire to identify and foster intelligence for the benefit of humanity.
But we have so many other things in common, and one of them is our love of photography. Yes, that’s right! Even if you think that taking pictures is not for you, or you don’t think you know anything about photography, the chances are that you enjoy looking at interesting photos taken by others, and that you appreciate the skillful capturing of a unique moment in time. The photographer might have chanced upon a spectacular sunset, a fancy-dress party, or a father and son fishing by a lake, but each and every image is a unique snapshot in history. And the appreciation of a good photo is something we all share. It is a meeting place of minds, a common language.
Some of our Top Entries
Photo Gallery
In the Members Area (login required), you can see the galleries that contain all the PhotoCup winners and runners-up from previous years.