
Courtesy of Maxim Donyuk
Eligibility & Entry Guidelines
Overview
The Cortona On The Move | BarTur Grant awards a $30,000 grand prize to one professional photographer and two additional $5,000 prizes for emerging photographers. The Grant invites photographers to submit proposals for in-progress documentary projects reflecting the fund’s core themes of urgent social, environmental, economic, and cultural issues.
Eligibility Criteria
Professional Status Requirement
Open to professionals working in journalism or documentary photography.
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$30,000 Grant (Established Professionals):
Applicants must submit at least one of the following documents to confirm their professional status:
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Press card indicating work as a photographer.
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Proof of at least one credited publication in a recognized media outlet (2022 or 2023).
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Journalism union membership card.
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Membership documentation from a recognized photography association indicating professional membership.
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Recent (2022 or 2023) letter of reference from a photo agency, editor, or media outlet.
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Proof of gallery representation or a documented show.
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Other relevant documentation clearly establishing professional status.
$5,000 Grant (Emerging Photographers Under 30):
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Open to photographers under 30 years of age (on the competition's closing date).
Applicants must provide similar documentation to confirm their professional activity or gallery representation.
Not Accepted as Proof of Professional Status:
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CVs or cover letters.
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Diplomas / Educational Qualifications
Team Submissions
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Teams of two or more may enter, but at least one member must provide proof of professional photographer status.
Authorship
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Entries must be the original work of the submitting photographer(s).
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Projects referring to historic events may include up to 20% archival images.
Submission Guidelines
Required Documents / Information
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Biography
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Length: Maximum 500 characters (spaces included).
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Content: Provide a succinct summary of your background, key achievements, and areas of expertise. Write in the third person to maintain professionalism and consistency.​
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Curriculum Vitae (CV)
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Length: Maximum 2000 characters (spaces included).
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Content: Include a comprehensive overview of your professional history, focusing on:
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Notable assignments and published works.
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Exhibitions and awards.
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Relevant professional affiliations and recognitions.
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Project Summary
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Length: Maximum 1000 characters (spaces included).
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Content:
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Present a concise description of your proposed project.
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Emphasize its journalistic potential, visual narrative, and humanistic or societal relevance.
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Clearly outline the intended impact and significance of the project.
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Give further details of the partnering person if this is a collaborative project
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Project Proposal
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Length: Maximum 4000 characters (spaces included).
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Content:
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Provide an in-depth explanation of your project’s logistical and creative aspects.
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Include a detailed budget, specifying how the $30,000 (or $5,000) grant will be allocated. Examples of eligible expenses:
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Salaries.
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Travel and accommodation.
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Subsistence and materials.
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Outline a clear timeline for project completion, including three key milestones.
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Final Submission Deadline: Ensure the project is completed and submitted by 15th March 2026.
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Technical Specifications
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Entries must adhere to contest-specific technical requirements.
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Submissions can include still images, with optional additional media (e.g., video or drawings) to enrich the narrative.
Captions
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All images must include captions in English, describing:
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Image title
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Year of creation
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Place of creation
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Additional Entry Rules
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Category Compliance
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Projects must align with the contest themes: urgent social, environmental, economic, and cultural issues.
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Submissions should follow a photojournalism or documentary photography style.
Publication Status
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Photographs may be submitted regardless of whether they have been previously published.
Restricted Event Photos
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Photos taken at restricted-access events (e.g., political or corporate events where only official photographers are allowed) are accepted as long as they comply with our code of ethics.
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Ethical Compliance
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Entries must adhere to the COTM | BTG Code of Ethics to ensure integrity and authenticity.
AI Tools and Image Manipulation Guidelines
Prohibited Use of AI Tools
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Images created or significantly modified using AI, synthetic means, or generative tools are not allowed.
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Examples of disallowed tools include:
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AI-based upscaling tools like Adobe Super Resolution and Topaz Photo AI.
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Generative fill or other methods that add, remove, or rearrange elements within the frame.
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Permitted Use of AI-Powered Tools
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AI tools may be used only for limited purposes, such as:
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Noise reduction without introducing new details.
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Automated adjustments (levels, colors, contrast) that do not drastically alter the image.
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Selective editing to enhance specific areas without modifying the overall content.
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Penalties for Manipulation
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Entries found to be manipulated will be disqualified.
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If manipulation is detected after judging, all entries from the same participant will be disqualified.
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Entrants may be contacted for clarification if significant modifications are suspected.
Submission Platform and Deadline
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Submissions must be made through Picter, the official entry platform.
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The deadline for submissions is 17th April 2025, at 17:00 Central European Time.
Ineligibility
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Members of the Visual Storytellers Fund staff, Supervisory Board, and the 2024/25 Contest jury are not eligible to participate.
Entry Limits
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Projects must be in-progress and unpublished at the time of submission.
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Each project may only be entered once.
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Photographers can only enter one project (submission) in either the main award of $30,000 OR the $5,000 award. Photographers can not enter more than once in total into the 2025 competition.
Selection Process
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Submissions will be judged on technical skill, originality, creativity, and alignment with the contest themes.
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Shortlisted entrants must provide additional materials for jury review.
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Judges’ decisions are final and not subject to appeal.
Key Dates
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Submission Deadline: 17th April 2025.
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Shortlisted Entrants Notified: May 2025.
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Finalist Interviews: June 2025.
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Winners Announced: 17th - 20th July 2025, at Cortona on the Move Festival.
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Final Project Submission: 15th March 2026.
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Exhibition at Cortona on the Move: July 2026.