Updated: The photo competition is now closed, please stay tuned for updates on the winner! 

Canon has just released the schedule for the New Cosmos of Photography photo competition, which marks its 39th edition in 2016. Open to aspiring new photographers all around the world, it’s a competition you won’t want to miss out on—the Grand Prize winner not only wins JPY 1 million in prize money, but will also be granted the right to hold a solo exhibition in Tokyo among other opportunities to showcase his/her work. Do check out the details below.

Canon  New Cosmos of Photography

Canon’s New Cosmos of Photography project has been run for many years. It aims to discover, nurture and support new photographers who pursue new possibilities in creative photographic expression, and accepts entries from all over the world including Asia. The project schedule for the 2016 (39th) edition has just been announced, with applications open from 20 April to 15 June 2016. Selection of the Excellence and Honorable Mention Awards will take place in July, and judging to determine the Grand Prize winner will be held in November.

The six Excellence Award recipients in the 38th (2015) edition of the competition.

The Grand Prize winner of the competition will be awarded not only JPY 1 million in prize money and a Canon product, but also be entitled to hold a solo exhibition in Tokyo the following year. Winners of the Excellence and Honorable Mention Awards will receive prize money as well as the right to display their works in this year’s New Cosmos of Photography Tokyo exhibition.

The New Cosmos of Photography competition, was first held in 1991. Recognized as a gateway to success by aspiring photographers all over the world, there have been a total of 23,978 entries received from groups as well as individuals since its inception.

The judges review entries during the 38th edition (2015) during the Excellence Award selection process.

This year, in order to realize an even more open photo exhibition, the number of judges on the selection committee has been increased to seven, and the Excellence Awards open to a wider range of works. Other than submissions by post, online submissions of works will also be accepted, as will be digital works (of still images as well as videos/movies). As the purpose of this contest is to discover new photographers, works must not have previously won any award in any contest or competition. There is no application fee. 

Those interested will need to apply through the New Cosmos of Photography homepage at http://www.canon.com/scsa/newcosmos/

Following application, you will need to submit your work either online or via post/courier. Any postage/courier fees incurred must be borne by the applicant. 

・Application period: by 23:59 
・Submission of works: 20 April 2016 (Wed) – 15 June 2016 (Wed)

Note: Online submissions will be accepted until midnight on the final day.
Note: Submissions postmarked or given to a courier on the final day will be accepted.

 

Prizes, gifts, and publicity

Grand Prize
・Prize money totaling JPY 1 million (which includes JPY 200,000 prize for the Excellence Award)
・Gift of a Canon product
・Granted the right to hold a solo exhibition at next year’s New Cosmos of Photography Tokyo exhibition
・All prizes given an Excellence Award

Excellence Awards
・Prize money totaling JPY 200,000
・Works exhibited at this year's New Cosmos of Photography Tokyo exhibition
・Works published in the next issue of the New Cosmos of Photography Magazine
・Works showcased on the New Cosmos of Photography website

Honorable Mention Awards
・Prize money totaling JPY 30,000
・Works exhibited at this year's New Cosmos of Photography Tokyo exhibition
・Works published in the next issue of the New Cosmos of Photography Magazine
・Works showcased on the New Cosmos of Photography website

For more information, please visit the New Cosmos of Photography website at http://www.canon.com/scsa/newcosmos/