THEME #43Application overview2023MAR
ANONYMOUS

The juror for this month’s competition, photographer Shingo Wakagi has selected an extremely challenging theme, “ANONYMOUS.” Nowadays, with the spread of the internet and social media accelerating the diffusion of information, the voices of anonymous people and anonymous stories, in addition to those with power and fame, are attracting more and more attention by the second. In response to such a reaction, many photographic works counting the roots of people and history that are yet little known, or picturing personal topics yet dealing with universal themes are generated. Works employing found-photos often picked up from someone’s albums or postcards may also be considered “ANONYMOUS.” Considering the many perspectives “ANONYMOUS” can lead to, we are looking forward to seeing your photographs with your interpretation of what this theme could mean.
[Submission Period] from March 16 to May 16
[Application fee] 2,000JPY per entry
JUDGE

Shingo Wakagi
(Photographer/Film Director/Book Shop Owner)
Shingo Wakagi (1971-) is born and raised in Hamamatsu City in Japan, Wakagi studied at Rochester Institute of Technology’s School of Photographic Arts and Sciences. After returning to Japan in 1996, he has released a number of monographs that often focused on his family and friends in his hometown, including Eiji and Hiro (2015) and The Funeral of Takuji Wakagi (2007). Wakagi is also an acclaimed filmmaker. His debut film Waltz in Starlight (2007) was nominated for the Tiger Award at International Film Festival Rotterdam. His most recent film Asleep (2015), based on Banana Yoshimoto’s novel, was the Centerpiece Presentation at Japan Cuts Film Festival in New York. TOTEM Song for Home (2009) is a moving documentary about indigenous musicians in Taiwan. Wakagi opened a small bookshop BOOKS AND PRINTS (2010-) in his hometown Hamamatsu City. Bookshop sells collections of domestic and foreign photo books.
STEPS FOR ENTRY
Please provide the necessary information and upload you're images for your entry. See guidelines for more details.
¥2,000 per entry (tax inc.).
Payment by credit card only (except JCB).
Once the payment has been processed, you will receive an entry confirmation email.
It will take about two 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.
NOTE
The applicant must be older than 16 years old. If you are underthe age of 18, please apply after obtaining the consent of your parent or guardian. The registration fee is 2,000 JPY for each apply.
PRIZE
Grand Prix | 100,000 JPY Cash Prize – Portfolio Review by Shingo Wakagi |
---|---|
Shortlist | – Exposure on IMA ONLINE and IMA official social media |
All Contestants | Special access to a limited interview video by IMA |
GUIDELINES
IMA next is a photo competition that aims to support emerging photographers to succeed in the art photography world.
Theme | ANONYMOUS |
---|---|
Submission period | From March 16, 2023 to May 16, 2023 |
Application fee | 2,000JPY per entry. |
Who can apply? | The applicant must be older than 16 years old. * Please read the Terms of Use before applying. By submitting your application, we will assume that you agree to the Terms of Use. |
How to apply | – Please go to the application form from “ENTRY”, send the necessary information, and pay the application fee (¥ 2,000 per entry). |
Image requirements | – All submissions need to be still photographs, no moving images will be accepted. All sorts of post-production processes are allowed. |
COMPETITIONS
OPEN FOR ENTRIES
2023FEB
THEME #42
CREATURE
JUDGE:
Charlotte Dumas
DEADLINE:
Until April 24th
