Welcome to Our Photography Competition

The Waterford International Film Festival is proud to present, for the 5th consecutive year, our Movie-Themed Photography Competition for Best Cinematic Image. Explore this page to learn more about the competition and the rules to enter.

About the Competition

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:

• A professional portfolio website including one year of hosting and a domain.

• Exhibition space at one of our festival venues during WIFF 2026.

• The winning image will be featured on the cover of our 2026 Programme Digital Booklet and promotional posters.

  The competition is open to photographers and artists worldwide.

2024 Exhibit by our 2023 Winner, Daniel Geesen

What are we looking for?

We’re looking for images that capture the spirit of film and filmmaking. Your submission can fall into one of the following categories:

• An original, one-off concept
  (e.g. a creative image that looks like a still from a film or a unique movie poster design)

• A current project
  (e.g. a frame or promotional still from a film or video project you're working on)

• A tribute, homage, or recreation
  (e.g. a creative reinterpretation of a well-known movie scene or production moment)

Each entry should include a title, and while a tagline is optional, it’s encouraged.

We're seeking inspired, cinematic images that evoke a moment in cinema — whether through atmosphere, symbolism, or storytelling.

Submissions can be:

• Shot indoors or outdoors

• Include or exclude actors, models, props, or equipment

• Created using photography, digital tools like Photoshop or Illustrator, or traditional art (as long as the result has a cinematic feel)

Note: The image does not need to include filmmaking equipment.

To get inspired, browse examples of past finalists below.

2024 Runner-Up: The Deer in Phoenix Park by Szilveszter Sari

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.

HOW TO ENTER?

You can enter in two ways:

1. On this website – Use the payment portal below and then complete the online entry form (linked on this page).

2. Via FilmFreeway – Click the FilmFreeway tab to enter through their platform.

Step 1: To enter on our site - Pay the submission Fee by clicking on the Buy button in the payment portal

Step 2 : Once your fee is paid, return to this page and click the Form button at the end of the page to access our online entry form. Fill out the form and hit Submit to complete your entry.

Photography Competition Form

Submit up to 3 photos per entry

Please note : It is advised to fill out the form from a laptop/desktop & on chrome