- Q: What is the minimum and maximum number of images that I can submit for SIPF Open Call?
A: The minimum number of images to submit for SIPF Open Call is 7, and the maximum number of images is 17. - Q: Do I have to be a qualified or professional photographer to participate?
A: No qualifications are required to participate in the SIPF Open Call. Selection will be based on the body of work submitted. - Q: Are non-Singaporeans allowed to participate?
A: Yes. SIPF welcomes photographers all over the world regardless of nationality. - Q: Will I still retain the copyright of my images?
A: Yes. Artists will retain the rights to their works. However, if a body of work is selected, the artist is required to temporarily transfer his/her rights to SIPF so that their images may be produced for exhibition purposes, publicity efforts and subsequent tours. - Q: What constitutes a body of work?
A: A body of work should consist of at least 7 images and not more than 17 images, embodying and conveying a consistent message, idea, theme and/or topic. - Q: Am I allowed to submit digitally manipulated images?
A: Yes. - Q: Can I submit the same images for the Exhibition Showcase and Emerging Photographer Workshop/Portfolio Review?
A: Yes. - Q: Can I submit works that were previously published by other exhibition/ competitions?
A: Yes. - Q: Can I submit my images by mail?
A: No, all submission of images has to be done online. Please click http://register.sipf.sg for instructions on submission. - Q: What are the modes of payment available?
A: Payment has to be made via Paypal. Paypal accepts payment by major credit cards, debit cards and through bank transfers. - Q: What if Paypal is not available in my home country?
A: SIPF understands a handful of countries have difficulty with Paypal and will make concessions for different modes of payment only in such cases. Please fill up the online submission form and then notify exhibition@sipf.sg for alternate modes of payment. - Q: When will the results of selection be announced?
A: Selected participants will be notified in June 2012 via email. The result will be officially announced on the festival website in July 2012. - Q: If I am not based in Singapore, do I have to be physically present during the festival?
A: No, you do not need to be physically present during the festival even if your work is selected. - Q: Who will be selecting the works?
A: Curators of SIPF will carry out the selection. Information on the curators for SIPF 2012 could be found on www.sipf.sg - Q: If selected, how will my works be presented?
A: All selected works will be digitally printed by the festival sponsor, based on the specifications given by the artist. The final presentation of the works will be up to the discretion of the curators. Please state your printing & presentation preferences clearly. SIPF will NOT be framing the works for exhibition. The works will be mounted on Kapa Fix board. - Q: Is there a discount for the students or non-working participants?
A: There is no special rate for students or non-working participants. - Q: Why is there a participation fee & how will it be utilised?
A: SIPF is a non-profit organization. The participation fee covers the administrative cost of processing the submissions, as well as the operational & logistical cost of running the exhibition. - Q: Is there specific theme for the submission?
A: There is no specific theme for SIPF 2012 with the purpose of discovering new works. However, participants are required to submit images as a body of work. Each body of work is usually based on a singular topic, concept or story, and should consist a minimum of 7 images and a maximum of 17 images. - Q: Am I allowed to make changes after confirming my submission?
A: No changes are allowed after payment has been made. Participants are advised to check through their submission before proceeding to payment. - Q: Can I still submit additional works after the deadline?
A: The official deadline for submission is 30 April 2012, 12midnight SGT (Singapore time). A final deadline to accept submission entries will be extended from 30 April 2012, 12midnight to 7 May 2012, 12midnight SGT (Singapore time). Entries submitted after the official deadline will bear a higher submission fee of USD$60 per body of work. No works or submissions will be accepted after the final deadline. Hence, SIPF strongly advise participants to submit ahead of the official deadline to prevent incurring higher submission fees or missing out on the chance to submit. - Q: Is there a refund if my works are not selected or if I decide to pull out from SIPF?
A: No refund is allowed once payment has been made. - Q: Can I register & pay on behalf of another photographer?
A: To prevent unnecessary misunderstanding, SIPF advise photographers to register and submit their own works. - Q: Can I combine my submission with another photographer?
A: No. Unless it is a collaborative project, SIPF will accept it as one single body of work. - Q: Can I submit my works without an artist statement?
A: An artist statement is important information for the curators to understand the works submitted. Hence SIPF strongly advise participants to fill up all the necessary information. - Q: Other than still images, will other forms of submission media be accepted?
A: Due to budgetary & security concerns, the SIPF prefers print-based works that could be digitally printed. SIPF is unable to showcase original/handmade prints. In the past, SIPF has also accepted works presented as projected moving images. AVS Pte Ltd is the official print partner of SIPF 2012 and will execute the printing of works. - Q: What will happen to the exhibition works after the end of the festival?
A: After the festival, the works will be presented in a series of roving exhibition organised by SIPF call “NOMAD” which showcases the exhibition to various countries in Asia. When the roving show ends, the works will be destroyed to prevent misuse and infringement of photographer’s rights. - Q: Could I request for my own works at the end of festival and roving exhibitions?
A: Yes, you could request for the works. However, you will have to bear the full cost of packing and shipping. - Q: What is the expense cover of the festival?
A: SIPF carries all expenses accompanying the professional fees of the curators, exhibition structures, the necessary logistic cost and where necessary matting if done by SIPF temporarily for this exhibition. SIPF cannot pay any other expenses, such as hire fees, printing costs, or travel costs of photographer to the exhibition, unless specified otherwise in separate writing. - Q: Is there a travel grant?
A: Travel grant is available for Southeast Asian nationals who have been selected in the festival exhibition & programmes (Open Call exhibition & Professional workshops). Each photographer may apply for a travel grant on a reimbursement basis up to USD$300 each. As the grant is limited, SIPF encourages photographers to apply for support from their home arts agencies and foundations. For grant assistance, please email grant@sipf.sg