Nikon calls for entries for 38th Nikon Photo Contest

Nikon Inc. announced submissions for the 38th Nikon Photo Contest will open Oct.22, 2020 at 12:00 a.m. EDT. Started in 1969, the Nikon Photo Contest is currently the world’s largest international photo contest and provides an opportunity for creators to connect through visual storytelling and to enrich imaging culture.  Entries for the 2020-2021 Nikon Photo Contest will be evaluated by a prestigious group of individuals, including world-renowned art director Neville Brody, who has been selected to return as Lead Judge for a third consecutive year. Additional judges will be announced on the 2020-2021 contest website as they are appointed.

“In these challenging times, we need creative and cultural opportunities to remind us of our humanity and resilience, both celebrating and observing the planet and our communities in new ways,” said Brody. “The Nikon Photo Contest is one of the most respected and key opportunities to explore these new questions and possible ways of thinking, where imagination meets connection.”

 The 2020-2021 Nikon Photo Contest will be comprised of a photo competition and a short film competition, which will be open to all professional and amateur photographers. Entries to both competitions will be accepted in two categories, including: “Open” and “Next Generation.” The theme for the Open category submissions is “Connect,” in which individuals will be asked to showcase the unique connections they experience, highlight the bonds that connect people to the world and explore the meaning of communication. The theme for the Next Generation category, which is open to photographers 25 years of age or younger, is “Passion,” in which individuals will be asked to demonstrate their perspective on the way passion evokes action, empathy and power to create change for the future.

A total of 24 submissions will be honored with Excellence Awards and Special Encouragement Awards, while one Grand Prize winner will be selected from the Excellence Award winners in each category*. Additionally, Nikon employees will select one photo and one short film submission that pass the first round of judging to be named as Nikon’s Selection Award winners. Award recipients will receive a certification in addition to a cash prize or one of Nikon’s Z series mirrorless cameras, depending on the award**. The announcement of winners for the 2020-2021 Nikon Photo Contest is scheduled for July 2021.

Entry Categories

Photo Competitions

  • Open Category
    • Theme: “Connect”
    • Entry Format: Single photo or photo story (two to five images)
    • Equipment requirements: None; any equipment may be used
    • Age requirements: None
  • Next Generation Category
    • Theme: “Passion”
    • Entry Format: Single photo or photo story (two to five images)
    • Equipment requirements: None; any equipment may be used
    • Age requirements: Must be 25 or younger as of Dec. 31, 2020

Short Film Competitions

  • Open category
    • Theme: “Connect”
    • Entry format: Video (MOV or MP4), 180-300 seconds in duration. *If any language is used within the video, English language subtitles must be included
      Any equipment may be used
    • Equipment requirements: None; any equipment may be used
    • Age requirements: None
  • Next Generation Category
    • Theme: “Passion”
    • Entry format: Video (MOV or MP4), 180-300 seconds in duration. *If any language is used within the video, English language subtitles must be included
    • Equipment requirements: None; any equipment may be used
    • Age requirements: Must be 25 or younger as of December 31, 2020

Entry Period

  • Please note that entry deadlines differ depending on the category. (All dates and times Eastern Time)
  • Photo Competition: Open Category
    • October 22 at 12:00 a.m. EDT to January 24, 2021 at 11:00 p.m. EST
  • Photo Competition: Next Generation Category
    • October 22 at 12:00 a.m. EDT to January 31, 2021 at 11:00 p.m. EST
  • Short Film Competition: Open Category
    • October 22 at 12:00 a.m. EDT to February 7, 2021 at 11:00 p.m. EST
  • Short Film Competition: Next Generation Category
    • October 22 at 12:00 a.m. EDT to February 14, 2021 at 11:00 p.m. EST