“Faces of al-Quds” International Photography Contest

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The Islamic Conference Youth Forum for Dialogue and Cooperation (ICYF-DC) announces a call for applications on “Faces of Al-Quds” International Youth Photography Contest, held in cooperation with the High Council of Youth and Sports of Palestine; to be held under the programme “Al-Quds Al-Sharif – OIC Youth Capital 2018”.

The “Faces of Al-Quds” seeks to bring together young photographers to demonstrate their vision of Al-Quds al-Sharif, and its importance in terms of Islamic cultural heritage, inter-cultural and inter-civilizational dialogue, and the challenges to its sanctity under Israeli occupation. It will create solidarity with the residents of the holy city, casting light on their lives, as well as the struggles and injustices they contend with on a daily basis. Beyond this, the contest would award recognition to young photographers with promise and talent; empowering and encouraging them to go further in their pursuit of photographic journalism and art.

The “Faces of Al-Quds” International Photography Contest will select “51 Photographs for 51 Years of Al-Quds Occupation” of Israeli occupation to raise consciousness on the stark reality of life in Palestine.

Two application phases will be held for the photography contest.

• The Early Bird Application deadline is April 1^st 2018, with awards announced on April 17^th Early Bird Applications will be considered for ‘First-place Winner’ and ‘Best Photograph Award’. Winning entries will be featured in exhibitions in Palestine, the 4^th Islamic Conference of Youth and Sports Ministers in Baku, Azerbaijan, and across other OIC member states and world capitals.
• The Best Awards Application deadline begins on August 1^st 2018, with the Awards Ceremony to take place on the OIC Youth Day, September 3^rd 2018.

Following the contest, the remainder of submissions will be posted weekly on social media to international audiences for the remainder of the year.

CONTEST THEMES

1. “Al-Quds al-Sharif: Cradle of Civilizations”

Photographs of cultural, civilizational or religious significance, scenes and sites, taken in the holy city of Al-Quds that capture the spiritual, historical and civilizational depths of the ancient city.

2. “Al-Quds Al-Sharif: City under Siege”

Photographs of the difficulties and challenges of life; specifically in visiting al-Quds sanctuaries under Israeli occupation; that capture and document challenges to the sanctity, soul and religious character of al-Quds al-Sharif.

3. “Faces of Al-Quds”

Photographs of the daily life of residents of al-Quds al-Sharif under Israeli occupation; that capture their spirit of resilience, challenges, perseverance, griefs and hopes.

CONTEST POLICY & ELIGIBILITY

1. This contest is open to youth of all faiths and nationalities between the ages of 18 and 35. Non-professional photographers are particularly encouraged to participate.
2. Participation in the contest is open to all and free of charge.
3. To make a mobile phone submissions, post your photo with the following Hashtag: #AlQudsOICYouthCapital2018#AlQuds51for51, tagging the Faces of al-Quds account: instagram.com/facesofalquds, and sending the photo and your full name by Direct Message.
4. There is no limit regarding the number of submissions.
5. Following registration, photographers should upload their photos at the following registration form (goo.gl/rQXi7j), no later than 1^st April 2018 at 23:59 al-Quds Local Time for the Early Bird Application, and no later than August 1^st 2018 at 23:59 al-Quds Local Time for the Best Awards Application.
6. Under all contest themes, monochrome and color photos must be uploaded as a file with DPI up to 72 pixels in JPG format and RGB colour model. The longest side should be 1500 pixels with a ratio of 2*3 or 1*1. The Photoshop output level of the photos should not be less than 10. Panorama photos are not accepted.
7. No photo geometric, watermarking or structural editing is allowed. The photos can only be edited up to the extent that the originality of the photo is not altered. Recoloring, adjusting contrast, brightness and cropping photos are allowed if the originality of the photo is not altered.
8. Entries cannot be submitted elsewhere.
9. The photographers whose photos are selected and printed in the contest booklet are conferred award recognition, and granted copyright (excluding the selected finalist works).
10. Selected entries for the exhibition will be put on display throughout different events around the world.
11. By submission of the image, the applicant accepts the terms of the contest. They are considered the sole owner of the photos. The entrant is accountable for any legal or penal consequences arising from copyright infringement on the part of them.

SELECTION PROCESS

An international jury who will select winners will judge the entries submitted by these photographers. The jury’s decisions are final and binding in all respects and not subject to appeal. Submitted entries will be evaluated according to the following criteria:

• Message
• Originality and creativity of expression
• Photo composition
• Quality of execution

AWARDS

1. “Al-Quds al-Sharif: Cradle of Civilizations” Awards:

First-place Winner: award recognition, contest award statuette and $1000 cash prize,

Best Photograph Award:  award recognition, contest award statuette and $500 cash prize,

2. “Al-Quds Al-Sharif: City under Siege” Awards:

First-Place Winner: award recognition, contest award statuette and $1000 cash prize,

Best Photograph Award: award recognition, contest award statuette and $500 cash prize,

3. “Faces of al-Quds” Awards:

First-Place Winner: award recognition, contest award statuette and $1000 cash prize,

Best Photograph Award:  award recognition, contest award statuette and $500 cash prize,

*** 10 outstanding works for each category will also be conferred award recognition

Additional Honorary Awards:

• Amateur Photographer of the Year: 5 entries
• Professional Photographer of the Year: one entry
• Palestinian Photographer of the Year: one entry
• Youth Photographer of the Year: one entry
• Best Tourist Photographer: one entry
• Best Mobile Photograph: one entry
• Best Portrait Photograph: one entry
• Best Black and White Photograph: one entry