Kuala Lumpur International Photoawards 2020

Opening: February 15, 2020
Deadline: April 30, 2020
Entry fee: from $15 to $65
Prizes: $500, $1,000, $3,000, participation in the exhibitions

Motivate. Inspire. Inform.

Portrait photography is vital to help us understand the human condition and in doing so, expand our minds. It allows us a glimpse into a distant conflict far away from home, or a thriving street community in our neighbourhood, only metres away. Often it feeds and informs us with new visuals to stories that we otherwise would not know, like the interiors of private homes, intimate moments, or greet faces and expressions of people we would never see. As a visual medium, it conveys what the photographer wants to show us, made possible through the expressive photo essay. At its best, the photo essay allows the viewer to relive and consider something that has not been encountered before, which enriches humanity, our experiences and how we treat each other.

This year we are awarding prize money to a greater number of photographers than before. As well as the regular SINGLE IMAGE PORTRAIT category, we are also awarding grants of $1,000 each to five photographers in the PHOTO ESSAY PROJECT GRANTS category. Projects must be ‘portrait-based’ photo-essays of up to 12 images on any topic. The grants may be used in any way to assist in the completion of their projects, and KLPA will exhibit the final projects in Kuala Lumpur in September.

Single Image Open Category

KLPA continue to reward fresh and inspiring single image portraits and this year is no exception. Photographers of the best three portraits will receive $3000, $1500 and $500 respectively. A shortlist of 40 entries will be exhibited at the prestigious ILHAM Gallery in Kuala Lumpur in September 2020 and also at several international festivals in collaboration with KLPA.

Throughout KLPA’s 11 years, we have exhibited some truly memorable and stunning stand-alone portraits by emerging and established international photographers, and it is a real privilege to be able to present these to our growing audience around the world.

Photo Essay Project Grants

For the first time, KLPA is awarding grants to five promising photographers to allow them to complete their projects that are in the ‘work-in-progress’ stages.

Each photographer will receive $1,000 in June which they may use in any way they choose e.g. purchase much-needed equipment, travel expenses, proofing costs, funding research, printing and production costs, photo-book dummies etc. Completed projects will be exhibited in Kuala Lumpur in September.

Our judges are looking for essays that are portrait-based with strong visuals and compelling narratives on contemporary issues; cohesive editing with relevant and complementary statements.

Prizes

Single Image Open Category

1st Prize $3000
2nd Prize $1000
3rd Prize $500
all 40 finalists will have their images exposed and promoted at international festivals in conjunction with our collaborative partners.

Photo Essay Project Grant Category

Five photographers will be awarded $1000 each in June 2020 to allow them to continue and complete their work-in-progress projects. Projects must be ready to be exhibited in September.