ABOUT IMA next
IMA next is an online photography contest open to everyone. Each month, a theme is set, and judges with extensive experience and expertise select outstanding works. Winners not only receive prizes but also gain various opportunities, such as being featured on IMA ONLINE, published in the magazine IMA, or showcased in exhibitions.
As a platform that allows a single photograph to take flight from your own hands, we encourage you to submit your works freely—whether it’s a carefully crafted masterpiece taken with your beloved camera, or an unexpectedly striking photo captured on your smartphone. We look forward to discovering new talents through IMA next.
COMPETITIONS
OPEN FOR ENTRIES
STEPS FOR ENTRY
Please provide the necessary information and upload you're images for your entry. See guidelines for more details.
The entry fee is ¥2,000 (tax included) per submission.
Payment can only be made by credit card (excluding JCB).
You’ll receive a confirmation email for your entry after your credit card payment has been completed.
The screening process will take approximately two months after the entry deadline. However, the period may vary depending on the number of submissions and the judges’ schedules. Please note that we do not provide individual updates regarding the screening status.
The Grand Prix and shortlists will be announced on this website, All relevant participants will be informedbeforehand via the email address provided during the entry process.
Please be aware that we will not be responding to inquiries about the result.
PRIZE
| Grand Prix | Prize money: ¥100,000 Runners-up Portfolio review by the judges or the IMA editorial team (please check the details on each theme’s page) Feature of the work on IMA ONLINE and IMA official social media |
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| Shortlist | Feature of the work on IMA ONLINE and IMA official social media Portfolio review by the IMA editorial team |
| All Participants | Access to an exclusive live streaming session hosted by the IMA editorial team or the judges |
GUIDELINES
IMA next is a photo competition that aims to support emerging photographers to succeed in the art photography world.
| How to apply | Please proceed to the dedicated entry form via the “ENTRY” button on each theme page. Note that each theme has its own entry form. You may upload between 1 and 5 photos per entry. In that case, the works will be judged as a single series. If you wish to submit another series, please complete a separate entry. Before applying, please make sure to read the Terms and Conditions. Submission of your entry will be regarded as your agreement to them.
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| Who can apply? | Applicants must be 16 years of age or older. Nationality, age, gender, and experience (professional or amateur) do not matter. Entries may be submitted by individuals or groups. |
| Submission period | Each theme will be open for submissions for approximately two months. A new theme will be announced each month, along with the start of its application period. |
| Image requirements | – All submissions need to be still photographs, no moving images will be accepted. All sorts of post-production processes are allowed. – DVD/Blue-Ray submissions will be rejected. – If the submitted work is deemed non-photographic, it may not be judged. – One entry can include up to five files, each up to 10 MB in size. – Any work that violates the rights of a third party (copyright, trademark right, portrait rights) cannot be submitted. If the work includes anything created by a third party (art work, films, photographs, music…etc.) and if it may concern any other rights, there is a need for you to have gotten permission from all party involved before you enter. |
PAST COMPETITIONS
INTERVIEW
Yoshinori Mizutani
The artist’s challenge to go overseas through presenting own works via social media.
