The International Focus Awards (hereinafter “IFA”) is an international photography competition aimed at promoting and enhancing contemporary photography in all its forms. The competition is organized by the non-profit Cultural Association Documentaria, with the goal of supporting and spreading photographic culture on a global scale.

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE

The competition is open to photographers of all nationalities, ages, and experience levels. Two main participant categories are available:

• Professional Photographers

• Non-Professional Photographers / Students

HOW TO ENTER

Participation takes place exclusively online by filling out the entry form and uploading images through the official competition platform. Each participant may submit:

• Single images

• Series of images, minimum 4, maximum 10 images. A series must consist of a group of images (minimum 4, maximum 10) that are thematically consistent and connected by a shared subject, concept, or visual narrative. Each image should contribute to the overall story or message of the series.

CATEGORIES

Photographs may be submitted to one or more categories listed in the “Categories” section of the official website. The same image may be submitted to multiple categories (an additional fee is required for each extra category).

ENTRY FEES

Entry fees are to be considered as a voluntary donation to support the cultural activities of the organizing association. They are not considered a payment for a commercial service.

Fees:

• Single image (Professional): €30

• Single image (Student): €20

• Photo series (Professional): €40

• Photo series (Student): €30

Discounts and multiple-entry offers may be communicated via email or shown in the “How to Enter” section.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR FILES

• Format: JPG

• Color profile: RGB

• Max dimensions: 3000 px on the longest side

• Max file size: 3MB per file

Each image must be renamed with the photographer’s last name followed by the title of the work, without spaces or special characters (e.g., Lastname_Title_Number.jpg).

IMAGE ORIGIN & ETHICAL STANDARDS

All photographs must be originally captured using a camera.

Images created wholly or partially with Artificial Intelligence (AI) are not permitted in any category.

In the Documentary / Photojournalism section, any form of digital manipulation that alters the content of the image is strictly forbidden.

Only standard post-processing techniques (such as color correction, contrast, sharpness, and minimal cropping) are allowed, and must respect the ethical standards of the industry, preserving the integrity and truthfulness of the scene.

JURY AND EVALUATION CRITERIA

The jury is composed of recognized experts in the photography world. Entries will be judged based on:

• Originality

• Visual impact

• Technical quality

• Consistency with the category

The jury’s decision is final and non-negotiable.

AWARDS

Winners will receive official certificates, digital badges for promotional use, and cash prizes for selected categories. The complete list of awards is available in the “Awards” section on the official website.

USE OF IMAGES

All rights remain with the author. However, participants grant the organizers a non-exclusive right to publish the images for promotional purposes related to the competition (including catalogs, website, social media, and exhibitions).

DEADLINES

• First Deadline: June 30

• Finalists announcement: September 5

• Winners announcement: September 12

The organization reserves the right to extend deadlines if needed.

DISCLAIMER

The organizers reserve the right to remove categories or awards in case of insufficient entries and to reassign images to more appropriate categories if necessary. In case of technical problems or unforeseen circumstances, the organization will seek fair solutions and maintain the integrity of the competition.

TAX INFORMATION

The competition is promoted by the non-profit Cultural Association Documentaria. Entry fees are considered voluntary contributions to support the association’s institutional activities. All income and expenses will be reported in the association’s financial statement. No invoices will be issued.

CONTACT

For any inquiries or information: info@internationalfocusaward.com

By entering the competition, participants fully accept these official rules.