Participation of photographers from 95 countries
The deadline for entries to the Felix Schoeller Photo Award was May 31, 2021. With over 600 submissions from 95 countries, no new record has been set, but the organizers are satisfied with the result. The internationality of the award, which exists since 2013, and the high quality of the work submitted are again underlined. The TOP 10 countries with the most entries are led by Germany, followed by Russia, Iran and India. Brazil, Bangladesh, Italy, France, the UK and the USA are also in this group.
"This year, the Felix Schoeller Photo Award will be awarded in the categories 'German Peace Prize for Photography' and 'Best Work by an Emerging Photographer'," explains Dr Friederike Texter. "For the German Peace Award for Photography, the number of submissions has almost doubled compared to 2019. This strong growth shows that this category, initiated in 2019, has arrived in the community of photographers." The Best Work by an Emerging Photographer category failed to match the submission numbers of 2019. From the very beginning of this submission period, it became apparent that the work of young photographers was particularly affected by the Corona pandemic. This group in particular often receives impulses for their work during long journeys, often abroad, which are now essentially impossible, making it more difficult for the young photographers to find topics. In addition, they have less access than established professional photographers to existing material and works that would be suitable for submission.
A central theme of the submitted works in both categories is the Corona pandemic in its various facets. In addition, there are several exciting, touching and photographically high-quality works on other topics, such as the consequences of the climate crisis, peace between different people, inner peace, LGBT and flight, which now have to be assessed by the jury. The jury for the Emerging Photographer Award includes the internationally renowned portrait photographer Michael Dannenmann (chair), DGPh board member and photography expert Simone Klein, gallery owner Clara Maria Sels and Nils-Arne Kässens, director of the Museumsquartier Osnabrück. This jury is supplemented for the Peace Prize by Prof. Dr Ulrich Schneckener, professor of International Relations & Peace and Conflict research at the University of Osnabrück. The judging of the works takes place in a multi-stage process. As in previous years, the jury members know neither the names of the entrants nor their nationality. Everyone sees this as a great advantage because it allows them to concentrate exclusively on the works and the concepts that go with them.
The award ceremony for both categories will take place on October 2 in a virtual event to which all nominees will be connected. They will thus learn live which works were victorious. The link to the webstream of the event will be communicated in good time. On October 3, the exhibition Winners & Nominees will open in the Museumsquartier Osnabrück. It will be shown there until March 2022.
The German Peace Award for Photography, which is awarded in cooperation with the City of Peace Osnabrück, comes with prize money of 10,000 euros. The winner of the Emerging Photographer Award can look forward to a prize money of 2,500 euros. In addition, all nominees in the Emerging Photographer category will receive an exclusive online session with a jury member to discuss their work (portfolio presentation).
felix-schoeller-photoaward.com
facebook.com/felixschoellerphotoaward
instagram.com/felixschoellerphotoaward/
Instagram.com/museumsquartier_osnabrueck
Dr. Friederike Texter
ftexter@felix-schoeller.com
0171 / 7636369
kontakt@felix-schoeller-photoaward.com
