ABOUT IMA next
IMA next will hold a photo contest to select works for the exhibition at the Uwajima Photo Festival 2025, commonly known as UWAJIMA SIGHTS 2025. The theme is “Open call”—feel free to participate with your own unique ideas.
UWAJIMA SIGHTS 2025 is an art photography festival that will be held for the first time this year, sharing the charm of Uwajima. The theme of UWAJIMA SIGHTS 2025 is “Islands in Motion”.
In Uwajima—blessed with beautiful nature, a rich way of life, and a unique culture and history—outstanding works by photographers from Japan and abroad will be showcased as public art, offering a new photography experience to enjoy while strolling through the city.
The works selected in this photo contest will be exhibited at UWAJIMA SIGHTS 2025.
Whether it’s your proud masterpiece taken with your favorite camera or a surprisingly good shot captured on your smartphone, please feel free to submit your work. This contest is a platform where a single photograph can take flight from your hands.
We look forward to seeing works from IMA next that will bring color to Uwajima.
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.
Once the upload of your work image is complete,you will receive a entry confirmation email.
It will take about one months until the result announcement. This may vary depending on the number of entries and the availability of the judges. Note that we will not be communicating on an individual basis about the state of the judging process.
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 | -Exhibition of your work at Uwajima Photo Festival 2025 UWAJIMA SIGHTS |
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| Second Prize | Exhibition of your work at Uwajima Photo Festival 2025 UWAJIMA SIGHTS |
| Shortlist | Introduction of your work on the official website of Uwajima Photo Festival 2025 and on IMA ONLINE |
GUIDELINES
IMA next is a photo competition that aims to support emerging photographers to succeed in the art photography world.
| How to apply | – From the “ENTRY” button on the application theme “Open call” page, proceed to the dedicated form. – One entry allows you to upload 1 to 5 photos, however in that case, all your photographs in the entry will be judged as 1 series. If you would like to submit multiple series, please make another entry. There is no limit to the number of entries per theme. – Please read the Terms of Use before applying. By submitting your application, we will assume that you agree to the Terms of Use.
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| Who can apply? | – Applicants under the age of 18 must obtain the consent of a parent or guardian before applying. If an applicant under 18 applies, it will be deemed that they have obtained such consent. – Otherwise, anyone is welcome! We have no restriction in terms of your nationality, age, gender or experience (Professional/Amateur). |
| Submission period | August 21, 2025 – September 21 |
| 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. – After the winners are decided, they may be asked to submit high-resolution image data for printing large works to be exhibited at Uwajima Photo Festival 2025 UWAJIMA SIGHTS. – You may submit between 1 and 5 photos per entry; however, the number of works that can be exhibited may vary depending on the exhibition location. |
PAST COMPETITIONS
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