About regulations for applications and works
(Short Film and Photo Competitions)
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Q
Are there any requirements for eligibility to enter the competition?
A
Anyone can enter the competition regardless of nationality, age, gender, or professional/amateur status. Individuals under the age of 18 need the permission of a parent or guardian. We will determine if the permission of a parent or guardian has been given at the time of entry.
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Q
Is there any fee to enter the competition?
A
Participation is free. However, you will be responsible for any costs related to entry, such as Internet connection fees, etc.
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Q
Is entry limited to works taken with Nikon products?
A
Any photography or film equipment is allowed.
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Q
Will submitted entries be returned?
A
No, we will not return submitted entries.
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Q
Can I receive notification that my entry was received?
A
We do not send notifications for receipt of entries, but you can check the status in the My Account page of this website. Please log in and check for yourself.
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Q
Can I submit edited images? To what extent can I edit an image and still be able to submit it?
A
You can submit entries processed or edited using camera applications, editing applications, or other software, etc. You can submit both color and monochrome photos.
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Q
Can I submit entries made with AI?
A
Submitting videos and images generated by AI is prohibited. However, using AI to edit videos and images you have taken is permitted.
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Q
Is it possible for a group to submit a single entry?
A
If you submit an entry as a group, the work will be entered in the name of the group’s representative. If it wins a prize, we will request the names of the collaborators, and the prize will be awarded to these individuals.
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Q
Can I enter under a nickname? I do not want to my real name to be made public.
A
No, you cannot enter under a nickname. Please enter under your real name. Please be aware that your real name will be displayed when the entries are published on this site after the second round of judging.
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Q
Can I submit an entry regardless of when it was taken?
A
Yes, there are no requirements for when an entry was taken.
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Q
Can I submit an entry if it contains a watermark or copyright information. Should I include the copyright information?
A
Yes, you can submit it. You can submit an entry regardless of whether it contains copyright information.
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Q
What is the entry period?
A
The entry period is as follows.
Wednesday, October 30th, 2024 (starts at 4:00 a.m. UTC) to Monday, February 17th, 2025 (ends at 4:00 a.m. UTC)
About regulations for applications and works（Short Film Competition）
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Q
What sizes and formats are accepted?
A
For submission, the maximum file size for each entry is less than 600 MB, and the file format must be MOV or MP4.
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Q
Can I submit a 360-degree video?
A
Submissions are limited to entries edited to not depend on a special device or application for playing 360-degree video.
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Q
What are the technical specifications of the monitors used for judging in the Short Film Competition?
A
Judging is generally conducted using 2K monitors.
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Q
Are English language subtitles required if the entry uses English?
A
If the entry uses English, subtitles are not required.
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Q
Am I allowed to submit an entry that was submitted to another competition?
A
Yes, you can submit film entries even if they were submitted to another competition. However, you cannot submit entries which previously won a prize in another competition, or any works similar to them. Furthermore, entries that win a prize in another competition before the announcement of the winners of this competition will be considered entries which received a prize in a previous competition.
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Q
After submitting an entry, can I submit that work in another competition?
A
Yes, you can submit film entries in other competitions simultaneously. However, if it wins a prize in another competition before announcement of the winners of this competition, it will not be eligible for judging in this competition.
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Q
Is a work required to be unpublished and unreleased to be eligible for submission?
A
You can submit works posted on your personal blog or social media accounts.
However, this is limited to original works that have not been published for commercial purposes such as web-based advertising, stock content, or the like, and for which the entrant owns all copyrights.
About regulations for applications and works (Photo Competition)
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Q
What sizes and formats are accepted?
A
The maximum file size for photo entrie is 20MB per image file, we recommend JPEG/150 dpi or higher file format, and the sRGB color space is standard.
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Q
Am I allowed to submit an entry that was submitted to another competition?
A
No, you cannot submit photo entries submitted to another competition, including similar works.
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Q
After submitting an entry, can I submit that work in another competition?
A
No, if you submit a photo entry to another competition after submitting it to this competition, it will be treated as a work submitted to another competition, and will therefore be ineligible.
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Q
Works must be unpublished and unreleased to be entered, but what about works posted on my website or social media account?
A
You can only submit photo entries which are original works which have not been published for commercial purposes, such as stock photos or advertisements in print or web media, and you must own all copyrights. You can submit photos posted on your social media account if they are original works.
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Q
Why can I not submit a photo as a print?
A
We do not accept photos submitted as prints in order to judge the numerous works submitted from around the world under the same conditions to the fullest extent possible.
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Q
Can I submit a scan of a photo taken with a film camera?
A
Yes, you can submit it.
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Q
Can I submit a photo if it contains a date stamp?
A
Yes, you can submit photos to this competition with or without a date stamp.
How to apply (Errors, changing registration information)
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Q
Can I submit multiple entries?
A
Yes, you can submit up to the maximum number of entries allowed by the rules. If the same individual is determined to have submitted more than the maximum number of entries allowed by the rules, further entries will not be accepted.
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Q
After I submit an entry, can I cancel the entry and resubmit another work?
A
Yes, you can resubmit your entry. During the entry period, you can cancel entries and resubmit them any number of times. However, we will not accept resubmissions after the entry period ends, so please be careful.
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Q
Can I send entries by email directly to Nikon or the Nikon Film and Photo Contest Office?
A
No, only files sent to this website will be accepted as submissions. If you accidentally send a file to the wrong place, it will not be accepted, and you will receive no notification, so please be careful.
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Q
What will happen if I do not complete all required fields in the entry form?
A
You cannot send the entry form until all required fields are completed. Any incomplete required fields will be indicated on your screen, so please complete all of these fields.
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Q
What will happen if my files get lost or corrupted due to an incident during transmission of the data?
A
Nikon assumes no liability, so please be sure to create backups of your files before submitting them.
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Q
Can I submit entries on recording media such as a DVD?
A
No, you cannot submit physical media. We only accept entries via the Internet.
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Q
I cannot upload images properly.
A
Please review the instructions in the entry form on this website.
Please contact us at info@nikon-photocontest.com is this does not solve your issue. -
Q
Where is the “Submit” button?
A
We will place the Submit button on the site on Wednesday, October 30th, 2024, the day we being accepting entries, so please check back then. The entry period is from Wednesday, October 30th, 2024 (starts at 4:00 a.m. UTC) to Monday, February 17th, 2025 (ends at 4:00 a.m. UTC)
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Q
Can I enter on a smartphone or tablet?
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Yes, you can enter via the browser on your smartphone or tablet.
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Q
I cannot enter the competition. I do not understand how to enter.
A
Please review the instructions in the entry form on this website.
Please contact us at info@nikon-photocontest.com is this does not solve your issue. -
Q
There was an error.
A
Please review the instructions in the entry form on this website.
Please contact us at info@nikon-photocontest.com is this does not solve your issue. -
Q
I forgot my password.
A
If you click “If you forgot your password” on the login screen, and enter your email address, you will be sent a temporary URL to reset your password.
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Q
I forgot my email address.
A
Please contact us at info@nikon-photocontest.com if you forgot your email address and cannot log in.
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Q
I cannot log in.
A
Please double check that your registered email address and password are correct, and contact us at info@nikon-photocontest.com if that does not resolve your issue.
About entry categories
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Q
What is a “single photo,” and what is a “photo story” in the Photo Competition?
A
“Single photo” refers to works that are one photo only, while “photo story” refers to works composed of a series of multiple photos. You can submit photo stories composed of two to five photos in this competition.
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Q
Can I submit both single photos and photo stories?
A
Yes, you can submit both. In the Photo Competition, you can submit a total of five entries in the Single Photo category and Photo Story category combined. In the Short Film Competition, you can enter a maximum of one work each in the Super-Short Film category and 5-Minute Film category.
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Q
Do I have to submit both film works and photo works?
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No, you can submit works in just one of the competitions.
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Q
Can I submit the same work as a single photo and as part of a photo story?
A
No, you cannot submit the same image or similar images as both a single photo and as part of a photo story, nor can you submit multiple photo stories which contain the same or similar images as separate works.
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Q
Can I submit entries in every category?
A
Yes, you can submit entries in every competition and category. In such cases, you cannot submit the same work or similar works as separate entries, nor can you submit them in multiple categories.
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Q
Can I submit multiple single photos?
A
Yes, you can submit multiple photo entries. You can submit a total of five entries, including photo stories.
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Q
For photo stories, how may photos can I submit as a single entry?
A
Up to five photos can be included in one photo story entry.
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Q
How can I check which entries I submitted?
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You can check this under “Entry submission” on your My Account page. If you select an image, you can check and edit the detailed information.
About judging
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Q
What are your criteria for selecting judges?
A
We selected judges with outstanding experience and knowledge of photos and films.
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Q
Can I receive feedback and advice from the judges?
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We cannot provide feedback or advice about entries other than prize-winning entries.
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Q
How is the judging conducted?
A
The winners of each prize are decided after a first round, second round, and final round of judging. The final round of judging is conducted via thoughtful discussion by the full panel of judges.
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Q
When and where will the final round of judging be held?
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The final round of judging is planned to be held in June 2025. The location will not be made public.
About the announcement of the results and prize-winning works
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Q
When and how will I be notified of the results?
A
Only the prize winners will be notified by the Nikon Film and Photo Contest Office via email to their registered email address no later than mid-July 2025. In addition, we plan to announce the the prize winners and prize-winning entries on this website by September 2025. The Grand Prize winners will be decided on the day of the award ceremony.
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Q
Have the results been announced? Please tell me if I won a prize.
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Prize winners will be contacted by email no later than the middle of July 2025. In addition, we plan to post the prize-winning works on this website by September 2025. We do not notify each individual regarding the results of their entry.
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Q
I did not win a prize. Please tell me the reason.
A
We cannot provide feedback or comments on individual entries.
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Q
I want more a detailed explanation for why the winning works were selected.
A
We cannot provide any further comments beyond what is posted on this website.
About receiving prizes and special benefits
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Q
If I win a prize, will you send me the prize money and award? Will Nikon pay the taxes, etc.?
A
We will contact prize winners individually regarding the delivery method and taxes.
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Q
Can I exchange the camera or lens received as a prize for a different model?
A
No, the prizes cannot be changed.
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Q
In my country, there are restrictions on the camera and lens offered as a prize. Can you replace them with a different prize?
A
If there are restrictions in your home country, the items will be replaced at Nikon’s discretion. We cannot accommodate requests from prize winners.
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Q
Can I still receive the prize even if I cannot attend the award ceremony?
A
Yes, you can still receive the prize.
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Q
If I do not know how to use the camera and lens received as prizes, is there somewhere I can go for an explanation?
A
We will inform prize winners of authorized Nikon service centers in the area where they live.
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Q
Can I receive a cash prize instead of the camera and lens?
A
No, you cannot receive cash in lieu of the prize items.
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Q
How many people will win prizes?
A
The prize details are as follows.
(Short Film Competition)
- Grand Prize
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Super-Short Film1 person
5-Minute Film1 person
Prize
Prize money of 500,000 yen
(Japanese yen),
Z8, NIKKOR Z lens*2
- Excellence Award
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Super-Short Film2 person
5-Minute Film2 person
Prize
Z6IIl, NIKKOR Z lens*2
video accessories*2
- Special Encouragement Award
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Super-Short Film3 person
5-Minute Film3 person
Prize
Z30, NIKKOR Z lens*2
video accessories*2
- General Public Award*11 person
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Prize
Zfc, NIKKOR Z lenz*2
Rewards
・Publication in Nikon Film and Photo Contest Web Gallery
・Work featured on official Facebook
・Work featured on official Instagram
・Shared activities throughout the year
・Exhibition at venues operated by Nikon(Photo Competition)
- Grand Prize
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Single Photo1 person
Photo Story1 person
Prize
Prize money of 500,000 yen
(Japanese yen),
Z8, NIKKOR Z lens*2
- Excellence Award
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Single Photo2 person
Photo Story2 person
Prize
Z6III NIKKOR Z lenz*2
- Special Encouragement Award
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Single Photo3 person
Photo Story3 person
Prize
Z50, NIKKOR Z lenz*2
- General Public Award*11 person
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Prize
Z50, NIKKOR Z lenz*2
Rewards
・Publication in Nikon Film and Photo Contest Web Gallery
・Work featured on official Facebook
・Work featured on official Instagram
・Shared activities throughout the year
・Exhibition at venues operated by Nikon*1：General Public Award winners will be selected by popular vote on works that pass the second round of judging.
*2：Lenses and accessories will be products designated by Nikon.
Other
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Q
What will happen to my submitted works and personal information after the competition ends?
A
Deletion procedures will be carried out on December 31st, 2025.
The personal information of prize winners will be handled in accordance with the Prize Winners’ Agreement.