CFI Photo Competition 2024: Timeless Heritage

Cambodia Festival of Ideas, in collaboration with RobThort, is organising a Photo Competition. 

“Timeless Heritage” is the theme of this year’s CFI Photo Contest, which aims to inspire future generations to share their understanding of Cambodia’s heritage among the younger generation, fostering a sense of pride and responsibility toward cultural preservation.

The theme “Timeless Heritage” is designed to encompass a broad range of cultural elements beyond well-known temples, architectural marvels, and cultural sites. The theme aims to showcase various aspects of Cambodia’s heritage, including traditional arts, performing arts, festivals, daily life, culinary heritage, oral traditions, etc. We encourage participants to capture the vibrant expressions of Cambodian identity through various forms of art and culture, showcasing the living traditions that continue to thrive in contemporary society. By highlighting the diverse elements of Cambodia’s heritage, we aim to celebrate the rich tapestry of cultural expressions that contribute to the nation’s enduring legacy, which honors its timeless heritage and its profound influence on Cambodia’s contemporary identity.

Eligibility:

The photo competition requires participants to be:

  • A Cambodian Citizens 
  • Creative ideas for imagining Cambodia’s development and a keen interest in capturing the essence of Cambodia’s cultural heritage and its evolution toward the future.

Submission Guidelines:

  • Photographs must be:
    • Taken by the contestant
    • Taken by only using the following devices: Cameras and Smartphones (Photos must be taken within this year)
    • Submitted a Maximum of 3 Photographs that the participant thinks best describe the contest’s theme
    • Submitted in JPEG or PNG format
    • Submitted with a short description, No Longer Than 5 Sentences, that describes the message of the photo.
  • Photographs must not:
    • Be marked with watermarks or other identifying markers
    • Violate a person’s rights including, but not limited to, copyright and privacy
    • Be edited or manipulated (via Photoshop or other photo-enhancing software).

Copyrights and Usages of the Photograph:

  • Contestants must be the sole author and owner of the copyright for the photo and description they submit, or they must have obtained permission (with written consent) from the copyright holder to submit the entries on their behalf.
  • Photos of the contestants are within the rights of Cambodia’s Festival of Ideas to be publicised and showcased for any purpose.

Evaluation Process:

  • Call for submissions: we are open call for submissions from 5th June 2024 till 24th June 2024 (5: 00 p.m., GMT +7)
  • Judging period: 25th June – 29th June 2024
  • Announcement of award winners: 29th June 2024, during the event day and on social media after.
  • Organisers will evaluate and select the top three (3) finalist winners with one popular vote from the People’s Choice Award on the event day.
  • Public Voting (For People’s Choice Award): All of the photos will be exhibited during the event. Any photo that receives more likes will be the winning photo of the People’s Choice Award.
  • All photos of contestants will be displayed during the event on 29th June 2024 at Factory Phnom Penh.

CFI Prizes & Benefits:

  • Top 1: 150 USD Cash Prize + CFI Gift Set + Invitation of Photo Exhibition
  • Top 2: 120 USD Cash Price + CFI Gift Set + Invitation of Photo Exhibition
  • Top 3: 100 USD Cash Price + CFI Gift Set + Invitation of Photo Exhibition
  • People’s Choice: 50 USD Cash Price + CFI Gift Set + Invitation of Photo Exhibition

Photography Clinic
As an additional reward for our 4 winners, we will also hold a 1-day Photography Workshop at Smiling Gecko Farmhouse, Kampong Chhnang with the visual artist and prominent photographer; Hannes Schmid to further strengthen Cambodian’s youth photography skills in capturing moments into a timeless reality.

How to join the contest?

Interested individuals can submit the application form and photos here.

Important Dates:

  • 5th June 2024: Open Call for Submissions
  • 24th June 2024: Deadline for Submissions
  • 23rd – 28th June 2024: Evaluation Process
  • 29th June 2024: Cambodia’s Festival of Ideas (announcement + Photo Exhibition at the event)

For further inquiries, please contact:

FAQs: 

  • Can I edit the photo?

You may edit the photo in terms of lighting and colour adjustments. However, manipulating the photo by using A.I enhancement, Photoshop, or similar tools is strictly prohibited. 

  • Is the theme “Timeless Heritage” based exclusively on the Cambodian context?

Yes, you must showcase Cambodia’s heritage. Heritage covers a wide range of elements, so here are some suggestions: Historical Sites and Monuments, Cultural Practices, Artefacts, Language and Literature, Natural Landscapes, Cuisine, Crafts and Artistry, Architecture, Festivals and Celebrations, and Traditional Knowledge. We are open to your creative ideas, so if you have anything that you believe best visualises Cambodia’s heritage, please submit it with a description.

  • Can I join as a team? 

You can join as a team, but you must have only one representative. The prize will remain the same regardless. 

  • How does the voting process work? 

On the event day of CFI 2024, all shortlisted photos will be exhibited at Factory Phnom Penh. Each participant will be given five stickers to vote for their five favourite photos (one sticker per photo). The photo with the most stickers will win the popularity prize. The top three photos, however, will be selected by CFI and ROBTHORT.

  • If I cannot attend the event day, can I still submit my photos?

Yes, you can, but we would love to meet you at CFI 2024. If you will be absent, please find a representative to attend in your place.