Who can enter the Tasweer Awards open call?
Any photographer who is currently resident in the Western Asia and North Africa (WANA) region can apply.
Eligible Countries: Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Yemen.
Who is eligible to apply?
You are eligible to apply if you meet one of the following conditions:
● You are originally from outside the WANA region but currently reside within the WANA region.
● You are originally from the WANA region but currently reside outside of it.
For example:
If you were born in Europe but are now living in Qatar, you can apply. Similarly, if you are originally from Egypt but currently live in the United States, you are also eligible to apply.
What types of image file formats will the Single Image Award open call accept?
The Tasweer Single Image Award accepts your image file in jpeg and tiff format.
What types of image file formats will the Project Award open call accept?
The Tasweer Project Award accepts one PDF file containing 20 images, with the title and caption placed next to or below each image.
What is the maximum image size and resolution accepted for the Single Image Award?
Your image should be 3000 pixels on the longest side, with a file size between 3 and 8 MB.
What is the required filename format for the Tasweer Single Image Award?
This is a crucial step to get right when submitting to the Tasweer Single Image Award open call. The file name is a mandatory field in the submission process. Please follow these guidelines carefully; otherwise, we cannot guarantee that your submitted image will reach the jurors.
The image filename should be formatted as: LastName_ImageTitle, for example: Hamed_Genesis.
What is the required filename format for the Tasweer Project Award?
This is a crucial step to get right when submitting to the Tasweer Project Award open call. The file name is a mandatory field in the submission process. Please follow these guidelines carefully; otherwise, we cannot guarantee that your submission will reach the jurors.
The pdf filename should be formatted as: LastName_ProjectTitle, for example: Hamed_The_Genesis.
Are images made with my camera phone valid for entry to the open call?
Yes.
Is it okay to use Photoshop?
Yes, you may use Photoshop only to enhance lighting, colors, and detail clarity.
Radical manipulation of the image, photo compositing, or complex digital alterations are not allowed. If significant edits are made, please explain the concept and reasons in the artist’s statement or photo statement.
We work as a duo/collective/family – can we jointly submit an image or a collaborative project to the open call?
Yes.
How will I know if my open call submission has been received?
We will send a confirmation email. If we see any problems or omissions from your submission, we will contact you within one week. To avoid any last-minute problems or surprise glitches, we highly recommend that you submit your application before the deadline date.
Can I submit a photographic project that has already won an award, or has been entered in a previous competition?
Yes.
My work is not realised in conventional framed print form. Can I still submit my work to the Tasweer Awards open call?
Yes. If the final form of your work is unframed, printed onto fabric, vinyl, and other non-conventional materials, and/or has sculptural elements, you are welcome to apply. We also accept video as a component to the project. However, video cannot be the entirety of the project. Our only stipulation when using other mediums in the project that photographic practices and imagery is central to the concept and experience of the project and your grant proposal.
Can I withdraw or change my submission once I’ve entered it?
No, submissions cannot be withdrawn or replaced. However, we can assist you with making edits to your pre-submitted entry. Please email us at tawards@qm.org.qa with the changes. Remember, only one submission form is allowed per applicant before the submission deadline.
Will Tasweer archive my submission, even if I am not shortlisted by the award jury?
All submissions may be stored, archived and digitally preserved. If you do not wish for your submissions to be stored, please contact us at tawards@qm.org.qa
How are the Tasweer Awardees selected?
Your submission will be reviewed by all members of the jury before they convene and make their collective decision about the photographers who will be awarded the Awards. Selected Awardees will be contacted via email (please check your inbox or junk/spam regularly).
If my work or submission is selected, what is the copyright/image license relationship with Tasweer that I am agreeing to?
Please refer to our Terms & Conditions for full details. In summary, if you are selected for either the Tasweer Single Image Award or the Project Grant Award, you grant Tasweer and its partners the right to disseminate your open call submission images – fully credited to you – for non-commercial promotion of the Tasweer Awards and Tasweer for digital use. Tasweer will inform you and work with you with regards to any printed reproduction.
If my submission is not selected, what is the copyright/image license relationship with Tasweer that I am agreeing to?
You will always retain full copyright even if you are selected. By submitting your photograph(s), you grant Tasweer the license to use your image(s) online. If at any time, you would like Tasweer to no longer be able to use your image(s), please contact the Tasweer team at tawards@qm.org.qa.
I have already started my new photographic project that I intend to develop with the support of the Tasweer Project Award grant, do I need to include any image files of this work-in-progress in my PDF submission?
IIt is not essential to include work-in-progress image files within the initial PDF submission to the Tasweer Project Award. The juror’s selection process is balanced between the existing project that you submit and your written proposal for how you will use the Tasweer Project Award grant.
How does Tasweer expect to receive the selected works for the next exhibition Cycle?
Tasweer’s curators will contact you to collaborate on selecting works and request high-resolution TIFF images for possible exhibition at the next Tasweer Photo Festival Qatar biennial programme.
What expectations are there of me in relation to the project that I develop or create using the monetary grant award?
It is important that you keep us regularly updated on the progress of your supported photographic project. This allows us to share your progress with Tasweer’s online visitors and helps us stay informed about potential opportunities to exhibit your new work at the next Tasweer Festival.
If you are awarded a Tasweer Project Award, we will create an agreement that includes a detailed schedule of expectations for both Tasweer and yourself, including the obligation to provide regular project updates approximately every six months.
Photo by Lina Geoushy, from 'Trailblazers', 2024 Tasweer Project Awardee.