FIAP conducts international competitions between the FIAP Operational Members
called FIAP Biennials. They are organized every two years by a different member
country. Even years for Black & White and Nature Biennials, odd years for the Color and Youth Biennials.
The Biennials are of two types:
- Biennials for specific categories and medium where each country selects a subject matter theme and the judging considers an assessment for adherence to the theme. World Cups, FIAP Medals, and other awards are presented to the Operational Members who place the highest in each category and medium.
- Youth Biennials are for projected and print Images and are judged in two age categories: up to 16 years of age and up to 25 years of age. World Cups, FIAP Medals, and other awards are presented to the makers and Operational Members who place the highest in each medium and age category. The Youth Biennial does not require coherence in the submitted works. The winner is the federation that obtains the highest score by adding up the points of the individual images. Individual awards are also granted to the best images.