OFFICIAL 2009 FOTOWEEK DC AWARDS COMPETITION RULES

Sponsor is FotoWeek DC, Inc., a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness of photography's role in our world by recognizing photographic excellence, and ensuring that the celebration of this powerful medium is an accessible and inclusive experience.
FOTOWEEK DC 3247 Q Street NW Washington, DC 20007

Photographers retain ownership of copyright to their entries.

The FotoWeek DC AWARDS Competition begins June 12, 2009 at 12:01 am Pacific Daylight Time (PDT) and ends September 13, 2009 at 11:59 pm PDT. All entries must be received by extended deadline of September 20, 2009 at 11:59 pm PDT. By submitting an entry, each entrant agrees to the Official Rules and confirms that his or her entry complies with all requirements set out in the Official Rules and that the decisions of the Judges are final and binding with respect to all matters relating to the Competition. Entries will not be returned.

All entrants must be 18 years of age or older as of September 20, 2009 and qualify for an Entry Class as defined below. Members of the Fotoweek DC Inc. Board of Directors and members of the Fotoweek DC Awards Committee are ineligible. The entries in each Class (as defined below) will be judged separately, in accordance with the Judging Criteria, as defined herein. Competition is void where prohibited.

ENTRY CLASSES
There are two separate Entry Classes:
(1) The General Entry Class is open to all photographers worldwide,18 years of age or older as of September 20, 2009.
(2) The Student Class is open to students enrolled in an accredited college or university, 18 years of age or older as of September 20, 2009.

The General and Student entry categories are:
(a) Spirit of Washington: With one image, capture the spirit and essence of Washington DC. Find that visual expression of what makes this city, our nation’s capital, unique among American cities. (b) Single Image, News/Feature Reporting: A single image with a documentary/reportage focus. This includes domestic and international spot or general news and issue reporting. Images may not be staged/posed, composites, multiple exposures, or digitally manipulated beyond the reality that existed when the image was made, except for reasonable dodging and burning. (c) Single Image, Advertising: A single image created for the purpose of communicating or selling ideas, services, or products. (d) Single Image, Fine Art: A single image that has been created to fulfill the artistic vision of the photographer. (e) Single Image, Contemporary Life: A single image with a lifestyle/human interest focus. This includes features--images that emphasize a fresh view of everyday activities-- as well as portrait and wedding photography. (f) Single Image, Travel: A single image conveying sense of place; from exotic to backyard, urban to wild. Architecture, landscapes, waterscapes, aerials, wildlife. (g) Single Image, Sports: A single image that reflects a moment in sports, games and other competitive activities. Can be play-related (action) or non-action. (h) Series, Photojournalism/Social Documentary: A series of images (up to 6, minimum 3) exploring the human condition to facilitate social change. Series images should focus on the compelling issues of our time, including global warming, war, poverty, international justice and the environment. (i) Series, Advertising: A series of images (minimum three images, maximum of six) created for the purpose of communicating or selling ideas, services, or products. (j) Series, Fine Art: A series of images (minimum 3 images, maximum of 6) that has been created to fulfill the artistic vision of the photographer.

(a) Storytelling/Documentary: Multimedia work may include still photography, video, sound and graphics in order to communicate a story, significant message or narrative. (b) Experimental: Multimedia work for personal expression may include still photography, video, sound and graphics. Expressionistic, "outside the box," not necessarily narrative or reality-based.

(1) A SINGLE IMAGE ENTRY & ENTRY FEES:
Each SINGE IMAGE ENTRY consists of an entry form, a single image and the appropriate entry fee. The discounted entry fee is $20 per single image entry for entries received before 11.59 p.m. PDT July 26, 2009. The regular entry fee is $25 per single image for entries received after 12:00 a.m. July 26, 2009 and before 11.59 p.m. PDT September 13, 2009. For an extended deadline, all entries received after 12:00 a.m. on September 13, 2009 and before 11:59 p.m. PDT on September 20, 2009 will be subject to an additional fee of $10 per entry totaling $35 per entry.

(2) A SERIES ENTRY AND ENTRY FEES:
Each SERIES ENTRY consists of an entry form, a series of images (minimum of three, maximum of six), a descriptive written statement not to exceed 100 words, and appropriate entry fee. The discounted entry fee is $60 for each SERIES ENTRY received before 11.59 p.m. PDT July 26, 2009. The regular entry fee for each SERIES ENTRY received after 12:00 a.m. July 26, 2009, and before 11.59 p.m. PDT September 13, 2009 is $75. All SERIES ENTRIES received after 12:00 a.m. on September 13, 2009 and before 11:59 p.m. PDT on September 20, 2009, will be subject to an additional fee of $10 per entry totaling $85 per SERIES ENTRY.

(3) A MULTIMEDIA ENTRY AND ENTRY FEES:
Each MULTIMEDIA ENTRY consists of an entry form, an URL for the multimedia piece, and appropriate entry fee. The discounted entry fee is $40 for each MULTIMEDIA ENTRY received before 11.59 p.m. PDT July 26, 2009. The regular entry fee for each MULTIMEDIA ENTRY received after 12:00 a.m. July 26, 2009, and before 11.59 p.m. PDT September 13, 2009 is $50. All MULTIMEDIA ENTRIES received after 12:00 a.m. on September 13, 2009 and before 11:59 p.m. PDT on September 20, 2009, will be subject to an additional fee of $10 per entry totaling $60 per MULTIMEDIA ENTRY.

TO ENTER: All entries must be submitted electronically, at the official website: http://www.fotoweekdcawards.org. There is no mail-in method of entry. Once the registration process has been completed, you will receive an e-mail confirmation. Simply log onto the website and follow the online instructions to upload images from your computer or type in a URL for multimedia entries. Images formatted in JPEG or TIFF measuring at least 1,000 pixels on their long dimension are preferred. Images may be color profiled in sRGB, Adobe-1998, or not color-managed. Multimedia work should be submitted as a URL link to a web location where your multimedia piece has been posted and from which it can be streamed. The suggested timeframe is three to five minutes for each multimedia piece. For more information on electronic submission guidelines, please contact us here [contact form]

On-line entries must be made by the authorized account holder of the e-mail address submitted at the time of entry. “Authorized account holder” is defined as the natural person who is assigned to an e-mail address by an Internet access provider, online service provider, internet domain owner, or other person or organization (e.g., business, educational institution, etc.) that is responsible for assigning e-mail addresses for the domain associated with the submitted e-mail address.

The entries in each Class will judged separately, in accordance with the Judging Criteria, as defined below.
Competition consists of two (2) rounds of evaluation for each category. In Round One of each category, a panel of distinguished judges will each review the entries and select a group of entries to proceed to Round Two on the basis of creative vision (34%), originality (33%) and technical competence as appropriate to the category (33%) (“Judging Criteria”). In Round Two of each category, the Judges will collectively select, from among the entries selected in Round One, the winners based on the Judging Criteria.

Winners will be notified by email or regular mail on or about October 12, 2009. Only finalists will be notified. Note: In order for winning images and multimedia pieces to be included in the exhibition, high-resolution files must be submitted by October 19, 2009 at 11:59 pm PDT.

Decisions of the Sponsor and Judges are final and binding.

Sponsor reserves the right not to award all prizes in the event an insufficient number of eligible entries meeting the minimum judging criteria are received, as determined by Sponsor and Judges in their sole discretion.

SPIRIT OF WASHINGTON AWARD
Three (3) finalists will be selected and recognized by an Award of Excellence, Award of Distinction, and Award of Merit. From these three (3) finalists one (1) winner will be selected. The winner will receive $5,000 awarded in the form of a check or bank transfer and a trophy, which will be presented at the FotoWeek DC Awards ceremony at National Geographic Society on November 5, 2009.
The Winner’s and the finalists’ entries, at the discretion of the Sponsor, will be included in an exhibition during November 7-14, 2009 as part of the FotoWeek DC festival. Total value of award: $5,000.

GENERAL AND STUDENT CLASSES
In the general and student classes, the following prizes will be awarded:
AWARD OF EXCELLENCE: CASH AWARD OF $1,500 in the form of a check or bank transfer, and a FotoWeek DC Awards Trophy
AWARD OF DISTINCTION: FotoWeek DC Award Certificate
AWARD OF MERIT: FotoWeek DC Award Certificate
STUDENT AWARD OF EXCELLENCE: FotoWeek DC Award Certificate
These four awards will be presented in each of the eleven (11) categories: Single Image News/Feature Reporting, Single Image Advertising, Single Image Fine Art, Single Image Contemporary Life, Single Image Travel, Single Image Sports, Series Photojournalism/Social Documentary, Series Advertising, Series Fine Art, New Media Storytelling/Documentary, and New Media Experimental. These honors will be bestowed at the FotoWeek DC Awards Ceremony at National Geographic Society on November 5, 2009. The winners, at the discretion of the Sponsor, will be included in an exhibition during November 7-14, 2009 at FotoWeek Central (location to be announced). Total cash value of the awards: $16,500. In addition, a limited edition book will be produced in 2010 of winners’ and finalists’
Images, and their work will be shown online at www.fotoweekdc.org.

Each submitted photograph and multimedia piece, in its entirety, must be a work of original material taken by the Competition entrant. Photographs must have been taken within five (5) years before the date of entry. Winning and finalists’ entries from the 2008 FotoWeek DC Competition are not eligible for entry in 2009. By entering the Competition, entrant represents, acknowledges and warrants that the submitted entry is an original work created solely by the entrant, that the entry does not infringe on the copyrights, trademarks, moral rights, rights of privacy/publicity or intellectual property rights of any person or entity, and that no other party has any right, title, claim or interest in the entry.

The entry must not, in the sole and unfettered discretion of the Sponsor, contain obscene, provocative, defamatory, sexually explicit, or otherwise objectionable or inappropriate content. Entries deemed inappropriate will be disqualified.
Entries that include sculptures, statues, paintings, and other works of art will be accepted as long as they do not constitute copyright infringement or fraud; provided that entrants must be prepared to provide a release form as described below in “Third Party Releases/Licenses.” When photographing the work of others, it must be as an object in its environment and not a full-frame close up of another person’s art.

If the entry includes other people, you must be prepared to provide a signed written personal release from all persons who appear in the work submitted, authorizing use of the entry as provided below in “Third Party Releases/Licenses.” If you are unable to provide a personal release, upon request by Sponsor and in the form provided by Sponsor, then your entry may be disqualified. You do not need to send the release with your entry. If you win, we will contact you if a model release is needed.
The entries will be judged in accordance with the Judging Criteria, as defined herein.

THE POTENTIAL WINNERS ARE REQUIRED TO EXECUTE THE FOLLOWING: (1) AN AFFIDAVIT OF ELIGIBILITY AND LIABILITY RELEASE; (2) WARRANTY OF OWNERSHIP AND LICENSE; (3) PUBLICITY RELEASE; AND (4) ANY OTHER AFFIDAVITS AND/OR RELEASES OR ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS THAT MAY BE REQUIRED BY PRIZE SUPPLIER (S). UNLESS PROHIBITED BY LAW, THE POTENTIAL WINNERS MUST SIGN THESE THREE DOCUMENTS NO LATER THAN 15 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PRIZE NOTIFICATION IN ORDER FOR SPONSORS TO AWARD THE PRIZE. NONCOMPLIANCE OR RETURN OF PRIZE NOTIFICATION AS UNDELIVERABLE MAY RESULT IN DISQUALIFICATION AND, AT SPONSORS’ DISCRETION, SELECTION OF AN ALTERNATE WINNER.

If the entry contains any material or elements that are not owned by the entrant and/or which are subject to the rights of third parties, and/or if any persons appear in the work, the entrant is responsible for obtaining, prior to submission of the entry, any and all releases and consents necessary to permit the exhibition and use of the work in the manner set forth in these Official Rules without additional compensation. If any person appearing in any work is under the age of majority in their state/province/territory of residence, the signature of a parent or legal guardian is required on each release.

By participating, ALL ENTRANTS grant the Sponsor and their designees, licensees or affiliates (the “Authorized Parties”) a non-exclusive, worldwide license, through December 15, 2010, to post the entries online so that viewers may view all competing entries.
In addition, each WINNER grants to the Authorized Parties a license for use of his/her winning entry in connection with The FotoWeek DC Awards and promotion of The FotoWeek DC Awards, in any media now or hereafter known, including but not limited to: publication in magazines showcasing the winners, The FotoWeek DC Awards exhibition; the FotoWeek DC Awards Web site (http://www.fotoweekdcawards.org) and other promotions related to the FotoWeek DC Awards. Such winners’ license is a non-exclusive, worldwide license to reproduce, distribute, display and create derivative works of the entries in perpetuity exclusively through FotoWeek DC, Inc., a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness of photography's role in our world by recognizing photographic excellence, and ensuring that the celebration of this powerful medium is an accessible and inclusive experience.

Authorized Parties will not be required to pay any additional consideration or seek any additional approval in connection with such use.

Upon request of Sponsor, entrant may be asked to provide a signed release from all persons who (1) appear in the photograph or (2) who have copyrighted material of any kind that appears in the photograph, granting the Authorized Partners the rights to display their likeness or their copyrighted material as it appears in the photograph in any media whatsoever in connection with the Competition, its advertising, at the Competition website, in Competition exhibitions in publicity releases or other Competition or winner related materials. Failure to provide such release in a timely manner may result in disqualification.

By participating, entrants agree to release, discharge and hold harmless FotoWeek DC, Inc., and each of their respective partners, affiliates, subsidiaries, advertising agencies, agents and their employees, officers, directors, and representatives from any claims, losses, and damages arising out of their participation in this Competition or any Competition-related activities and the acceptance and use, misuse, or possession of any prize awarded hereunder.

Sponsor assumes no responsibility for any error, omission, interruption, deletion, defect, or delay in operation or transmission; communications line failure; theft or destruction of or unauthorized access to Competition entries or entry forms; or alteration of entries or entry forms. Sponsors are not responsible for any problems with or technical malfunction of any telephone network or lines, computer online systems, servers or providers, computer equipment, software, failure of any e-mail entry to be received on account of technical problems or traffic congestion on the Internet or at any Web site, human errors of any kind, or any combination thereof, including any injury or damage to entrants’ or any other persons’ computers related to or resulting from participation, uploading or downloading of any materials related to this Competition.

Sponsor is not responsible for electronic transmission errors resulting in omission, interruption, deletion, defect, delay in operations or transmission, theft or destruction or unauthorized access to or alterations of entry materials, or for technical, network, telephone equipment, electronic, computer, hardware or software malfunctions or limitations of any kind, or inaccurate transmissions of or failure to receive entry information by Sponsor or presenter on account of technical problems or traffic congestion on the Internet or at any Web site or any combination thereof. If for any reason the Internet portion of the program is not capable of running as planned, including infection by computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical failures, or any other causes which corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity, or proper conduct of this Competition, Sponsor reserves the right at its sole discretion to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Competition. Sponsor reserves the right to select winners from eligible entries received as of the termination date. Sponsor further reserves the right to disqualify any individual who tampers with the entry process. Caution: Any attempt by a contestant to deliberately damage any Web site or undermine the legitimate operation of the competition is a violation of criminal and civil laws and should such an attempt be made, Sponsor reserves the right to seek damages from any such contestant to the fullest extent of the law.

THIS COMPETITION IS VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. This Competition is subject to federal, state, and local laws and regulations. Certain restrictions may apply. Sponsor is not responsible for late, lost, stolen, mutilated, incomplete, illegible, misdirected, or postage-due mail. Entries void if the Sponsor determines the entry not to be an original, or if the entries are illegible, incomplete, damaged, irregular, altered, counterfeit, produced in error or obtained through fraud or theft.

Participants also agree (a) to be bound by these Official Rules; (b) that the decisions of the Judges are final on all matters relating to the Competition; and (c) if he/she wins that Sponsor may use each winner’s name, photograph, likeness, and/or voice in any publicity or advertising relating to the Competition or future promotions without compensation or approval (except where prohibited by law). All federal, state and local taxes, fees and surcharges on prizes are the sole responsibility of the prizewinners. In the event that the selected winner(s) of any prize are/is ineligible or refuses the prize, the prize will be forfeited and Sponsor, in their sole discretion, may choose whether to award the prize to entrants.

If for any reason the Competition is not capable of running as planned, due to infection by computer virus, bugs, worms, Trojan horses, denial of service attacks, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical failures, or any other causes beyond the control of Sponsors that corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity, or proper conduct of this Competition, Sponsors reserve the right, at their sole discretion, to disqualify any individual(s) who tamper with the entry process, and/or to cancel, terminate, modify, or suspend the Competition. If Sponsors elect to cancel or terminate the Competition, Sponsors will not retain any rights in the submitted photographs and will return the entry fees.

Except where prohibited by law, all issues concerning the construction, validity and enforcement of these Official Rules, or the rights and obligations of the entrant and Sponsor, shall be construed and governed by the laws of the District of Columbia, without regard to conflicts of law. All suits or claims brought in connection with this Competition must be brought in a state or federal court in Washington DC.

Winners’ names will be available online at http://www.fotoweekdcawards.org after November 5, 2009, or send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to: FotoWeek DC Awards Competition, 3247 Q Street N.W. Washington, DC 20007.