2021 [the 44th edition] Competition Information | Canon New Cosmos of Photography

Do you have a paper version of the entry rules or application form?

Unfortunately, we do not offer a paper version. Please use the Web application system on the New Cosmos of Photography website to enter the contest.
I don't have a computer that can access the Web application system. How can I enter the contest?

If you do not have a computer, please access the Web application system from a computer available to the public.
We would like to enter the contest as a group. How do we fill out the personal information section?

Select one person to represent your group and enter that person's name and information. In the Additional Information and Comments space about your entry, mention that the work is a group effort and give the name of the group and the number of people in the group.
What should I put for the English title?

Please enter an English translation of your language title. If you do not have an English title, enter your language title in English letters.
My session ended while I was entering my information on the Web application system.

For security purposes, the Web application system will end your session after 15 minutes of inactivity. Please have all your data ready to input before starting your session.
I forgot my Entry Number. What should I do?

Please email the Entry Application Center and ask for your Entry Number. You can find your Entry Number printed on your Entry Card / Delivery Label if you submitted your work by postal mail or courier.
I forgot my Application Password. What should I do?

You can reset your Application Password using the password reset function on the Web application system.
I cannot reset my password.

When resetting a password, the Web application system compares the information you enter with your previously registered email address and phone number. Be sure that you enter the same information. If you are still unable to reset your password, email the Entry Application Center.
My address or contact details changed. How can I update my information?

You can update the information through the web application system during the entry period. After the period, please contact the Entry Application Center by email and give us your new information.
Can I enter the contest from outside Japan?

Yes, you can. Please make your entry application from our English or Japanese site.
What should I write for the Artist Statement?

Use the required Artist Statement field to present your work in words, including such information as the creative intent of the work, what you want to express through the work, and the attraction and passion in the work. You may write in any format you like.
What should I write on the Exhibition plan?

Please explain in words or diagrams how you would like your work displayed at the Tokyo Exhibition should your work be selected. Also, if there is not enough room to describe the intent Artist Statement or concept of your work in the Intent Artist Statement / concept entry box, you may provide further details on the Exhibition plan. (JPEG or PDF, no larger than 5 MB)

How do I submit my work?

You have two choices. You can submit a digital version of your work using the Web application system, or you can submit your work by postal mail or courier. Please note that the steps are different. For details, see the Entry Application and Submission Procedures section on the New Cosmos of Photography website.
If I enter the contest from outside Japan, do I submit my work in the same way?

Yes, the method is the same.
Can I enter a work that won a prize in another contest?

We only accept works that have not won a prize before, and we cannot accept works that have been submitted to contests that are still being judged. Moreover, we do not accept entries that include rearrangements or re-combinations of prize-winning works.
Can I enter a work that was awarded at my school's graduation works exhibition or a work that has been published on a website, on social media, or in a publication?

You may submit a work that has been uploaded to a website or on social media, provided that you hold the whole copyright to the work. You may also submit a work that has been awarded at a school's graduation exhibition. Furthermore, you may submit a work published in a publication provided that you hold the whole copyright to the work and that the work has not won a prize before.
I want to enter a work that is different from the one on my entry application. What should I do?

With your Entry Number and Application Password, you can edit the previous description of your entry that you saved on the Web application system. You may edit this description as many times as you like during the submission period. If you are submitting a digital version of your entry on the Web application system, you can re-upload your work as many times as you like during the submission period. If you are submitting your entry by postal mail or courier, you can download updated Entry Card / Delivery Label after editing the entry description. Please dispose of the old Entry Card / Delivery Label and use the newest Entry Card / Delivery Label.
Can I see other contestants' entries?

You cannot see entries by other contestants at any time during the submission, judging, or return process. Note that the winning works will be displayed at the Awards exhibition and published on the New Cosmos of Photography website. You can view them at that time.

I couldn't finish uploading my entry because the session ended midway through the upload.

Please try uploading your data again after ensuring you have a good Internet connection. If you used Internet Explorer, please try another browser such as Safari or Chrome.
What kind of expressions are the new photographic expressions that the New Cosmos of Photography contest seeks?

New Cosmos of Photography decide to supports photographers' attempts to create still images / movies or videos, or a fusion of the two, that go beyond previous photographic concepts and genres. We regard still images and videos to be continuous and consecutive, and we feel that distinguishing between the two creates an unnatural barrier to artistic expression. We are hoping for brand-new video works that no one has ever seen before — works that are not movies, not short films, not commercials, and not promotion videos. Therefore, we encourage entries of works that provide a glimpse of tomorrow's photography and open up and champion new scenes for photography and art.
Are there any limitations on the length of videos?

New Cosmos of Photography has always aimed to be a free and unfettered contest without restrictions in order to seek new possibilities in photographic expression. Videos can be any length, provided that the file size does not exceed 1,000MB (approx1GB).
Can I enter a work taken with a smartphone or video camera?

Yes, you can.
Can I enter the digital data of a scanned print or film?

Yes, you can.
I want to submit a high-resolution video. What is the best way to submit it?

Digital works will be judged while also looking at the description of the work entered by the contestant and any other submitted materials (i.e., exhibition plan, video thumbnails, etc.). Please submit your digital work in what you feel is the most appropriate resolution, while keeping in mind the data limit on uploads to the Web Application System. We do not accept submissions of videos on DVD, Blu-ray, or other physical media.
Can I show my video at the exhibition at a higher resolution than my entry?

Yes, you can.
Can I enter a 3D video work?

Unfortunately, we cannot accept 3D videos.
How can I submit an entry that mixes together still images and video?
- If still images are used as materials within a video, submit your work as a single video file through the Video Entry submission procedure.
- If the final form of the work (for exhibition) will consist of a video either projected on a wall or played back on a screen surrounded by a layout of still images, provide a description on the Exhibition plan of how to exhibit the work, and submit your entry. Please note that you will have to upload the still image data and the video data separately.
- If the work consists of objects, prints, or books combined with a video or still image, upload the video or still image data, after entering the necessary information for the Postal Mail / Courier submission procedure, send the physical parts of the work by postal mail or courier.
- Works submitted by postal mail or courier on DVD, Blu‑ray, USB, or any other storage media will not be accepted. The only way to submit a video entry is to upload the video file (in MP4 format).
- If you wish, you may record a video of your work combining video and still images in an exhibition setting and submit that video through the Video Entry submission procedure.
Can I enter a work that uses an unreleased app?

Please contact the New Cosmos of Photography Secretariat by email.

How should I package my entry?

Please package your entry carefully so it will not be damaged.
What happens if my entry is damaged?

We take every precaution to ensure works are not damaged during the judging, but we cannot accept any responsibility in the unlikely event that a work is scratched, stained, or otherwise damaged.
Can I enter a work that is made without film, cameras, or images?

Note that your entry might be rejected if we judge it is not photographic expression.
I downloaded the Entry Card / Delivery Label pdf file but I don't have a printer to print it out. What should I do?

Please use public printer if you can use it. Or, you can draw Entry Card / Delivery Label by hand and attach it to your works. Please do not forget to write Entry number in that case.
I couldn't download the Entry Card / Delivery Label pdf file correctly. How can I get the file again?

Please use the Entry Card / Delivery Label re-download function again on the Web application system. If you still cannot download the file correctly, please contact the Entry Application Center by email with your Entry Number and ask for the file to be sent to you. We will send the file by email to your computer email address.
I lost my Entry Card / Delivery Label (Entry Card / Delivery Label pdf file). What should I do?

Please use the Entry Card / Delivery Label re-download function again on the Web application system.
I am submitting my entry by postal mail, but none of the format and size options match my work.

The available format options for postal submissions are Books, Panels, Prints, Frames, Objects, and Other. If you have multiple formats in your submission, select each that applies. If exact size of your work is not listed, choose the closest one. Please avoid lumping books, panels, prints, frames, and objects in the Other category on your application.
How should I submit an entry that consists of one or more objects?

We ask that you submit objects of a size that can be sent and delivered by regular postal mail or courier. Please note that we not able to assemble entries or provide electrical power to entries.

Is it possible to have my submitted works returned to me?

Digital entries (still images and videos) submitted online will not be returned. If the contestant indicates a preference for the return of their entry submitted by postal mail or courier, a delivery service contracted by Canon will return the entry by C.O.D. delivery to the address given on the application form. Returns will be made after the Excellence Awards selection committee has met. (Note that entries can only be returned to addresses in Japan. Entries from overseas cannot be returned to an overseas address.) Entries will be sent out by the last day of August 2021. The contestant must pay the delivery charges upon receipt. Please contact Canon (New Cosmos of Photography Secretariat) ahead of time if you will be away for an extended period or will be changing addresses between July and September 2021. Any undeliverable entries returned to Canon due to continued absence, an unknown address, or other reason will be disposed by Canon if the contestant has not made contact by the end of August 2021. Please select Return Not Needed on the application form if you do not need your entry returned to you. Entries will be disposed by Canon at the end of the contest.
I requested the return of my entry submitted by Japanese postal mail or courier, but I haven't received it yet even though it is September now.

Please contact the New Cosmos of Photography Secretariat by email.

Q&A

Questions about entry applications and forms

uestions about submitting entries

Questions about submitting digital works (still images and videos/movies) using the Web application system

Questions about submitting physical works by postal mail or courier

Questions about returns of entries