Like in the previous years, the Organizing Board of the Balkan Photo Festival (BPF) has now announced a call for entries to its photo contest for the selection of the best photographs in the past year called the Balkan Photo Award 2016 (BPA).
“Every year we try to introduce something new, and since our principle is that photography should reach as wide audience as possible we have now expanded the number of categories to which photographers can apply. Any divisions within the field of photography are damaging, which is the reason we do not want the Festival to be labeled neither as documentary or artistic or contemporary, a quite fashionable term today. We wish to offer equal opportunities for all, and we hope this is a positive step towards that goal“, said Festival director Haris Ćalkić.
The contestants can submit their entries in the following categories:
- Fashion/Advertising Photography
- Nude Photography
- Cultural Heritage
- Nature and Environment
- Portrait
- Sports
- Everyday Life
- Mobile Phones
- News and Events
- Creative Photography
- Reportage/Photo Series
Jury members will select five of the best photographs in each category and five of the best photo reportages, all of which will be presented at a photo exhibition in Sarajevo’s City Hall.
“In addition to a possibility of winning some valuable prizes, all finalists will have a chance to present their work printed on the best photo paper and in the highest quality print, as well as be featured at a top location. Additionally, international media coverage and a chance to cooperate and meet with fellow photographers should certainly be a strong motivation for any photographer to take part at the Balkan Photo Award”, said Festival Executive Director Dejan Đurić.
All interested photographers, without territorial, professional or any other limitations, can take part in the contest. The organizers of the Balkan Photo Festival and the members of its jury are not allowed to take part in the contest.
This year the international jury chair is the Time magazine’s senior photo editor Mr. Myles Little. This year’s jury panel consists of: Ilvy Njiokiktjien (NL), Srđan Živulović (SLO), Petar Jurica (CRO), Goran Lizdek (BiH), Daniel Mihailescu (RO), Srđan Ilić (SRB), Boryana Katsarova (BUL), Majlinda Hoxha (KV), Ljiljana Karadžić (MNE), Ana Farngovska (MKD) and Ferhat Uludaglar – Zupcevic (TUR). You can see Jury members at LINK.
“I was honored to be a part of the Balkan Photo Festival. The overall quality of work was high, and the venues displayed the work beautifully. All from organization team were very professional, and the city of Sarajevo was welcoming and very interesting to visit.”, said Mr. Little commenting to his last year’s stay in Sarajevo where he held a workshop and opened a photography exhibition.
This year’s Grand Prix Award is a dSLR camera Canon EOS 5D MARK IV, a gift from Festival’s general sponsor Canon Bosnia and Herzegovina. The entire list of prizes will be announced soon.
In addition to the photo contest, this year’s Festival brings a rich educational program.
For more information about the contest entry rules and the application form please go to this link.
This year’s Festival is supported by: the European Union Special Representative (EUSR), City of Sarajevo, UNICEF, Federal Ministry od Culture and Sports, BiH Art Gallery. The contest general sponsor is Canon and golden sponsor is Avtera BH. The contest is also supported by the following sponsors and friends: BlackBOX Gallery, New Event, Festival Hotel, Ilford, FAN Ferhatović and EUROBHPLAKATBH.
The Festival’s official photo/news agency is Pixsell Photo Agency.
The contest media partners are: N1, RSG, Antena Sarajevo, Dani Magazine, Oslobođenje, Dodho Magazine and Urban Magazine.
