OPEN FOR SUBMISSIONS
Photography Competition 2025
Best Cinematic Image
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The Waterford International Film Festival is proud to present, for the 5th consecutive year, our Movie-Themed Photography Competition for Best Cinematic Image.
This competition aims to support and encourage emerging talent in photography and visual arts, providing a platform for artists to showcase their work to new audiences. As a movie-themed competition, we welcome creative interpretations that incorporate cinematic symbolism—images that truly scream cinema. Prizes:
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2024 Exhibit by our 2023 Winner, Daniel Geesen
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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
2020-2024
Who can enter?
Anyone can enter worldwide, up to 3 images are allowed per entry.
Entry Fees & Deadlines
- Very Early Deadline- February 28, 2025
- FEE: €8
- Early Deadline- March 31, 2025
- FEE: €10
- Regular Deadline- May 23, 2025
- FEE: €12.50
- Late Deadline- July 24, 2025
- FEE: €14
- Extended Deadline- August 13, 2025
- FEE: €15
Up to 15 Finalists will be selected. Everyone will be notified within 4 -6 weeks before the event dates.
Overall winner will be announced on the final day of the festival at our venue and online.
Photography Competition Rules- Best Cinematic Image
By submitting your entry through FilmFreeway or www.waterfordfilmfestival.net, you agree to the following rules:
Each image entry must be accompanied by a completed entry form and the required entry fee. Submissions without both will not be considered.
Applicants may submit up to three (3) images per submission. If an applicant wishes to submit more than three images, they must complete a separate entry form and pay an additional fee.
Submitted images must be related to film, filmmaking, or have a cinematic quality.
All submissions will be judged by the Waterford International Film Festival Committees, appointed by the Festival Director. Their decisions are final and confidential.
COPYRIGHT & USAGE
Photographers/Videographers must secure all necessary copyright clearances, including but not limited to: actor/model releases, location permissions, and any other applicable rights. The Festival and its venue partners accept no responsibility for copyright claims.
Artists retain all rights to their images. However, for awarded images (including finalists), copyright holders grant the Waterford International Film Festival a non-exclusive, unlimited license to use high-resolution versions for festival-related activities, including but not limited to social media, online, and print promotions, without remuneration.
SUBMISSION TERMS
Due to time constraints, the Festival cannot provide feedback on submissions.
Once an image is submitted, it cannot be withdrawn from the competition.
The Festival reserves the right to amend these rules at any time.
Entrants will be notified by email on or before October 3, 2025, if they have been selected as finalists. Finalists are free to announce their selection publicly.
The photographer(s) must be the original author(s) of the submitted images.
Images must meet the following technical specifications:
Original pixel size should be maintained (unless cropped).
JPEG format with high-quality compression.
Captions/taglines, if included, must be in English.
ELIGIBILITY & RESTRICTIONS
Images taken at restricted-access events (where only commissioned photographers were permitted, e.g., government, corporate, or political events) are not eligible.
Basic color adjustments and grayscale conversions are allowed.
Entrants warrant that their submissions comply with all applicable laws and do not infringe on third-party rights.
LEGAL AGREEMENT
Any disputes arising from these rules will be governed by Irish law.
By submitting your work for the Best Cinematic Image Award, you confirm that your images are legally cleared for use at the Waterford International Film Festival and accept full responsibility for the intellectual property therein.
Each image entry must be accompanied by a completed entry form and the required entry fee. Submissions without both will not be considered.
Applicants may submit up to three (3) images per submission. If an applicant wishes to submit more than three images, they must complete a separate entry form and pay an additional fee.
Submitted images must be related to film, filmmaking, or have a cinematic quality.
All submissions will be judged by the Waterford International Film Festival Committees, appointed by the Festival Director. Their decisions are final and confidential.
COPYRIGHT & USAGE
Photographers/Videographers must secure all necessary copyright clearances, including but not limited to: actor/model releases, location permissions, and any other applicable rights. The Festival and its venue partners accept no responsibility for copyright claims.
Artists retain all rights to their images. However, for awarded images (including finalists), copyright holders grant the Waterford International Film Festival a non-exclusive, unlimited license to use high-resolution versions for festival-related activities, including but not limited to social media, online, and print promotions, without remuneration.
SUBMISSION TERMS
Due to time constraints, the Festival cannot provide feedback on submissions.
Once an image is submitted, it cannot be withdrawn from the competition.
The Festival reserves the right to amend these rules at any time.
Entrants will be notified by email on or before October 3, 2025, if they have been selected as finalists. Finalists are free to announce their selection publicly.
The photographer(s) must be the original author(s) of the submitted images.
Images must meet the following technical specifications:
Original pixel size should be maintained (unless cropped).
JPEG format with high-quality compression.
Captions/taglines, if included, must be in English.
ELIGIBILITY & RESTRICTIONS
Images taken at restricted-access events (where only commissioned photographers were permitted, e.g., government, corporate, or political events) are not eligible.
Basic color adjustments and grayscale conversions are allowed.
Entrants warrant that their submissions comply with all applicable laws and do not infringe on third-party rights.
LEGAL AGREEMENT
Any disputes arising from these rules will be governed by Irish law.
By submitting your work for the Best Cinematic Image Award, you confirm that your images are legally cleared for use at the Waterford International Film Festival and accept full responsibility for the intellectual property therein.
How to Enter?
There are two options to enter this competition.
1. Pay the entry fee on the Buy Portal button and than proceed to fill out the form at the bottom of this page
1. Pay the entry fee on the Buy Portal button and than 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 for Gold Members
Discounts are available at filmfreeway.com for Gold Members
*A thank you message will appear a few seconds after you hit the submit button. Please pay the fee before submitting
