Open For Submissions
2023 Photography Competition
Best Cinematic Image
The Waterford International Film Festival is proud to present for the 3rd year running our movie-themed Photography Competition for Best Cinematic Image.
The competition's main goal is to support and encourage new and emerging talent in the areas of photography and art.
The Waterford International Film Festival will provide a variety of platforms for photographers to promote their work and have it presented to a new audience.
This is a movie themed competition and we welcome the use of symbolism in the art of filmmaking to create images that screams CINEMA.
Top prizes include : A portfolio website valued at €1000 ( Service Value, Not a cash prize) and the winning image will be printed on our 2023 Programme Booklet cover and Posters. Photographers images will also be promoted on our online platforms.
Other prizes are listed in our 'awards' section.
The competition is open to photographers and artists worldwide.
The image above is by 2022 Photography Competition winner-John Bermingham
The competition's main goal is to support and encourage new and emerging talent in the areas of photography and art.
The Waterford International Film Festival will provide a variety of platforms for photographers to promote their work and have it presented to a new audience.
This is a movie themed competition and we welcome the use of symbolism in the art of filmmaking to create images that screams CINEMA.
Top prizes include : A portfolio website valued at €1000 ( Service Value, Not a cash prize) and the winning image will be printed on our 2023 Programme Booklet cover and Posters. Photographers images will also be promoted on our online platforms.
Other prizes are listed in our 'awards' section.
The competition is open to photographers and artists worldwide.
The image above is by 2022 Photography Competition winner-John Bermingham
What are we looking for?
We are looking for images that represent film/ film making. The images could be from any of the following:
We are looking for creative, inspired shots that clearly define a moment in cinema.
These images can be set interior or exterior, with or without actors/models/props/production shots.
The image must be cinematic or symbolic to film and cinema.
The image does not need to include any equipment.
For examples see some of our past finalists below
The artist can use programmes such as Illustrator or Photoshop to create their images. We will also consider artistic drawings or paintings as long as they have the ‘look’ of a film image. Images can include a tagline.
- A completely once off original concept. ( E.G. Create an original image that could be shot of a film, or a movie poster)
- A project you are currently working on. ( Film related, a shot from your own film/project)
- A tribute/ homage/recreation of a well known movie/film production.
We are looking for creative, inspired shots that clearly define a moment in cinema.
These images can be set interior or exterior, with or without actors/models/props/production shots.
The image must be cinematic or symbolic to film and cinema.
The image does not need to include any equipment.
For examples see some of our past finalists below
The artist can use programmes such as Illustrator or Photoshop to create their images. We will also consider artistic drawings or paintings as long as they have the ‘look’ of a film image. Images can include a tagline.
A Selection of past Finalists and Winners
Who can enter?
Anyone can enter worldwide, up to 3 images are allowed per entry.
Entry Fees & Deadlines
Earlybird Deadline
April 14, 2023
Fee: €8.00
Regular Deadline
June 16, 2023
Fee: €9.00
Late Deadline
July 31,2023
Fee: €11.50
Final Deadline
September 15th
Fee € 14
Notification Date
10 Finalists will be selected. Everyone will be notified within 4 -6 weeks before the event dates in 2023
Overall winner will be announced on Sunday 26th November 2023 in the House of Waterford Crystal
Awards & Prizes
- The winner will receive a free portfolio website of your work, which will be built on your behalf.
- This includes one free year of hosting & domain fee will be covered. Total value of the website prize €1,000 (not a cash prize)
- The winning photo/image will be displayed on the front cover of the Festival’s 2023 programme booklet, as well as all posters and promotional material and on our website and various online platforms
- The winner will receive a free pass to the Opening Night of the Waterford Film Festival 2023
- The winner will receive an Official ‘Winner’ Digital Certificate and Laurels.
Runner Up: Best Cinematic Image
- The runner ups portfolio will be promoted (with up to five images) on our social media channels and website.
- The image will be used in a section of our printed programme booklet.
- The runner up will receive a free pass to the Opening Night of the 2023 Waterford Film Festival.
- The runner up will receive an Official ‘Runner Up’ Digital Certificate and Laurels.
All Finalists will receive laurels & a Certificate
Photography Competition Rules- Best Cinematic Image
Each image entry must be accompanied by an entry form and the entry fee.
You can submit on www.filmfreeway.com/waterfordfilmfestival or at www.waterfordfilmfestival.net.
Submission will not be considered without a fee and the completed form.
Applicants can submit up to 3 images per submission if they wish. However, if applicants want to submit more than 3 images they must fill out a separate form and pay a separate fee.
Your image entry must represent film or filmmaking or a shot that is cinematic in nature.
All submissions will be judged by Waterford International Film Festival Committees appointed by the Festival Director. Their reports and decisions are final and confidential.
COPYRIGHT: Photographers/Videographers are responsible for securing all copyright clearances that may be associated with their image/photo that includes but not limited to: actors/models releases, locations/permissions, etc. The Festival or our Venue Partners is not responsible for any copyright claim on images.
Due to time restraints, we can not provide feedback.
Once an image(s) is submitted for consideration it cannot be retracted.
The application shall indemnify (compensate for harm/loss) and hold The Waterford International Film Festival and our partners, and employees of said entities from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses (including but not limited to attorney's fees and costs of the court) which may be incurred by reason of any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, publicity and loss of or damage to the images entered (this includes images used for exhibit purposes).
Artists retain all rights to their photos/images but for awarded pictures (including finalists) copyright holders grant the Waterford International Film Festival unlimited non-exclusive use of high-resolution pictures for activities in all media. This includes social media, online, and print in relation to the contest, festival, and exhibition without any remuneration being due.
All artists will be notified by October 2nd if they have been selected as a finalist and are free to announce this as they so please.
The photographer(s) must be the author(s) of the pictures submitted in his/her/their name.
We will use winning images, plus four other images for the exhibition. Pictures must meet the following specifications:
Upload images with the original pixel size (unless cropped).
Pictures must be uploaded in JPEG format with high-quality compression.
Pictures with captions/taglines must be written in English.
Entries must be submitted via www.waterfordfilmfestival.net or www.filmfreeway.com/waterfordfilmfestival.
Entries sent in other ways will not be accepted.
The overall winners will need to provide frames for all of their photos/images for the exhibit. i.e framed and ready to be displayed. A member of the Festival team will be in touch with the winner to arrange transport/delivery of these materials.
Image selections will be announced on or before the 2nd of October 2023. All entrants will be notified by email.
The Waterford International Film Festival reserves the right to amend these rules at any time.
Pictures taken at restricted events (that is, events where only photographers commissioned by those organizing the event - for example governments, political parties, or corporations have access) are not accepted.
Adjustments of colour or conversion to grayscale are permitted.
The copyright holders represent and warrant that submission of the pictures does not breach any law and further that no third party can hold any claims or any objections regarding the rights granted to the Waterford International Film Festival and our partners specified.
The entry rules and any dispute, proceedings or claim of whatever nature arising out of or in any way relating to the entry rules (including any non-contractual disputes or claims) shall be governed by Irish law.
By entering your image(s) for consideration for the Best Cinematic Image, you authorize that your work is cleared for festival exhibition at The Waterford Film Festival and accept full legal responsibility for the intellectual property therein.
You can submit on www.filmfreeway.com/waterfordfilmfestival or at www.waterfordfilmfestival.net.
Submission will not be considered without a fee and the completed form.
Applicants can submit up to 3 images per submission if they wish. However, if applicants want to submit more than 3 images they must fill out a separate form and pay a separate fee.
Your image entry must represent film or filmmaking or a shot that is cinematic in nature.
All submissions will be judged by Waterford International Film Festival Committees appointed by the Festival Director. Their reports and decisions are final and confidential.
COPYRIGHT: Photographers/Videographers are responsible for securing all copyright clearances that may be associated with their image/photo that includes but not limited to: actors/models releases, locations/permissions, etc. The Festival or our Venue Partners is not responsible for any copyright claim on images.
Due to time restraints, we can not provide feedback.
Once an image(s) is submitted for consideration it cannot be retracted.
The application shall indemnify (compensate for harm/loss) and hold The Waterford International Film Festival and our partners, and employees of said entities from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses (including but not limited to attorney's fees and costs of the court) which may be incurred by reason of any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, publicity and loss of or damage to the images entered (this includes images used for exhibit purposes).
Artists retain all rights to their photos/images but for awarded pictures (including finalists) copyright holders grant the Waterford International Film Festival unlimited non-exclusive use of high-resolution pictures for activities in all media. This includes social media, online, and print in relation to the contest, festival, and exhibition without any remuneration being due.
All artists will be notified by October 2nd if they have been selected as a finalist and are free to announce this as they so please.
The photographer(s) must be the author(s) of the pictures submitted in his/her/their name.
We will use winning images, plus four other images for the exhibition. Pictures must meet the following specifications:
Upload images with the original pixel size (unless cropped).
Pictures must be uploaded in JPEG format with high-quality compression.
Pictures with captions/taglines must be written in English.
Entries must be submitted via www.waterfordfilmfestival.net or www.filmfreeway.com/waterfordfilmfestival.
Entries sent in other ways will not be accepted.
The overall winners will need to provide frames for all of their photos/images for the exhibit. i.e framed and ready to be displayed. A member of the Festival team will be in touch with the winner to arrange transport/delivery of these materials.
Image selections will be announced on or before the 2nd of October 2023. All entrants will be notified by email.
The Waterford International Film Festival reserves the right to amend these rules at any time.
Pictures taken at restricted events (that is, events where only photographers commissioned by those organizing the event - for example governments, political parties, or corporations have access) are not accepted.
Adjustments of colour or conversion to grayscale are permitted.
The copyright holders represent and warrant that submission of the pictures does not breach any law and further that no third party can hold any claims or any objections regarding the rights granted to the Waterford International Film Festival and our partners specified.
The entry rules and any dispute, proceedings or claim of whatever nature arising out of or in any way relating to the entry rules (including any non-contractual disputes or claims) shall be governed by Irish law.
By entering your image(s) for consideration for the Best Cinematic Image, you authorize that your work is cleared for festival exhibition at The Waterford Film Festival and accept full legal responsibility for the intellectual property therein.
How to Enter?
There are two options to enter this competition.
1. Pay the entry fee on the Pay Pal Button below and then proceed to fill out the form at the bottom of this page
1. Pay the entry fee on the Pay Pal Button below and then proceed to fill out the form at the bottom of this page
Or
2. Alternatively you can submit at filmfreeway.com/waterfordfilmfestival
Discounts are available at filmfreeway.com only for Gold Members
Discounts are available at filmfreeway.com only for Gold Members
*A thank you message will appear a few seconds after you hit the submit button. Please pay the fee before submitting
