The Balkan Photo Festival and the photography contest the Balkan Photo Award are legal successors of the former Bosnia Herzegovina’s Photo of the Year Festival. The winner announcement and the entire festival program traditionally takes place in Sarajevo, in late January at the premises of the Sarajevo City Hall. The festival is international and open to all! The festival contains three types of p
rograms: photo contest itself, education and networking of the participating photographers through a series of social activities. The Contest includes a process of selecting 90 photos taken during the past year in eleven categories (Daily Life, Portrait, Creative Photography, Nature and Environment, News and Events, Sports, Fashion, Mobile Phone, Cultural Heritage, Nude Photography and Photo Reportage/Photo Series). The photos are selected by jury members appointed at the invitation of the Balkan Photo Festival organization comitee. The photo contest opens for entries in early December and the photographers are able to apply by 5 January. This is followed by judging of photographs by BPA jury members and the preparation of the photo exhibition. The exhibition of the 90 shortlisted photos opens on the last Friday of January. The winners in five categories are announced at a ceremony in Sarajevo’s City Hall which also marks the beginning of the Festival’s program. The BPA is international contest, open to all photographers. The Education program is organized in the days following the BPA opening ceremony and includes lectures and workshops held by renowned and internationally acclaimed names in photography. The Networking program includes round-tables, drinks/coffee with photographers in town, photographic safaris, concerts and entertainment events in order to give the local and international photographers a chance to socialize outside the official program. By applying for the Balkan Photo Award contest you have a chance to promote your work internationally and to present it to the eyes of some of world’s top professionals. Participating at the BPA ensures media attention for your work and can mean an important point in your future career. In addition, by taking part in the Festival’s educational and other activities you get free-of-charge lessons and a chance to exchange experiences.
