The fourth edition of the Nepalgunj Photo Festival has officially opened for entries in its nationwide photography competition. According to the organizers, the deadline for photo submissions is set for Ashwin 17 (October 3). Managed and organized by Antaral, this annual festival invites photographers from all over Nepal to participate and submit their best work.
Chief Executive of Antaral, Jaynarayan Shah, stated that the competition will feature nine distinct categories, with each category awarding one outstanding photo. Moreover, the most remarkable photo from the competition will be crowned as the Photo of the Year. The final selection of photos will be judged by a team of experts, including senior photojournalist Bikash Karki and renowned photographer Ramesh Malla.
Competition Categories
The categories for this year’s competition include:
- News Photography
- Daily Life
- Tourism
- Wildlife
- Sports
- Culture
- Nature and Conservation
- Agriculture
Each participant is allowed to submit up to two photos per category. Photographers can upload their entries via the official Antaral website antaral.com.np.
“This festival will reflect the spirit of the entire nation, and we aim to make it a hub for photographers from across Nepal,” said Shah. He further added that the festival will serve as a forum where both experienced and emerging photographers can come together. The event will span two days in Nepalgunj, featuring an exhibition that will showcase 151 photographs selected from across the country, with participation from 35 photographers. Senior photojournalists from Kathmandu will also be present for training sessions during the festival.
In addition to the competition and exhibition, the festival will host interactive sessions where photojournalists and photographers will share their thrilling experiences from the field. The organizers believe that this festival will act as a bridge between older and newer generations of photographers.
Digital displays of the selected photos will be set up in public spaces with high foot traffic, allowing the general public to engage with the art. Following the festival, the photographs will also be exhibited in Kathmandu and other key locations across Nepal.
The Photo of the Year winner, who previously received NPR 25,000, will now be awarded NPR 51,111 along with a certificate. The prize money has been doubled in recognition of the growing national importance of the competition. Additionally, each category winner, who previously received NPR 5,000, will also see a substantial increase in the prize amount.
In another exciting development, the competition will introduce a People’s Choice Photo Award. Out of the top 25 selected photos, one photo will receive this award based on online voting, with the winner receiving NPR 50,001 along with a certificate. The online voting will commence 15 days after the selection of the photos, giving the public a chance to vote for their favorite image.
This marks the third year that the competition has been open to participants nationwide, expanding beyond its previous focus on Lumbini, Karnali, and Sudurpashchim provinces. The national scope of the event has led to increased participation and larger prizes.
This year’s Nepalgunj Photo Festival promises to be a landmark event, celebrating the vibrant photographic talent and cultural diversity of Nepal.
