PHOTOLYMPIC is a prestigious photography competition organized by:
NGO "League of Professional Photographers" from St. Petersburg, Russian Federation, and
Photo Community “Frame24” from Novi Sad, Serbia, in collaboration with
the International Association of Art Photographers (IAAP).
This global event aims to celebrate and promote the art of photography by bringing together talented photographers from around the world to compete across multiple stages.
1. First Round of Qualifications
Photographers submit their best works to compete for advancement to the second round.
The jury evaluates all photos independently, regardless of the author's identity or country of origin.
30% of the best photographers from each country will represent their nation in the next phase.
In countries where fewer than 4 photographers qualify for the second round, they will be grouped into an "International Team" that advances to the second round of qualifications.

2. Second Round of Qualifications
Participants in the second round submit entirely new photos based on assigned themes (photos from the first round are not accepted).
After the jury completes its evaluation (with new jury members), the 4 best photographers from each country, as well as 4 from the "International Team," will advance to the third round of qualifications.

3. Third Round of Qualifications
At this global level, the competition gathers the top photographers from around the world. Participants compete at the highest level, showcasing exceptional creativity and technique.
Participants in the third round must submit entirely new photos based on assigned themes (photos from the first and second rounds are not accepted).
After jury evaluation (with new jury members), the top 96 photographers will qualify for:

4. The Grand Finale: August 18–25, 2025

The final stage will take place in the city chosen by NGO "League of Professional Photographers," St. Petersburg, Russian Federation, and the Photo Community "Frame24," in collaboration with the International Association of Art Photographers (IAAP).
The best photographers in the world will compete for the ultimate title. This stage represents the pinnacle of the competition and celebrates photographic excellence on a global scale.

All photographers will be provided with 7 days of hotel accommodation, including breakfast, airport-to-hotel transfers upon arrival and hotel-to-airport transfers upon departure, as well as coverage for all event-related expenses (excursions, city tours, masterclasses, round tables, lectures, etc.).

There are 4 sections, all digital:

A. OPEN COLOR (color digital)
B. NATURE (color & mono digital)
C. PHOTOJOURNALISM (color & mono digital)
D. PORTRAIT (color & mono digital)

NOTE: Artificial Intelligence (AI) photography is not allowed in any of the above sections.
NOTE: Each photo can be presented in only one section.

First round
Closing date: 09.03.2025.
All judging completed by 28.03.2025.
Notifications date: 30.03.2025.
Delivery date: April 6 2025
Gallery publish date: April 6 2025

• All sections: 20 EUR
• Members of the Photo Association of Serbia: 10 EUR
* One payment covers all three qualification rounds and 96 spots for the final in Saint Petersburg (if you qualify for them).

The entry fee can be paid in the following ways:
• through our website: https://theiaap.com/e/olympics/
• PAYPAL ACCOUNT: [email protected]

Ranko Durovic, Novi Sad, Serbia
5351 5291 0134 6353
Only For photographers from Serbia

Images from participants who have not paid the entry fee will not be considered.

The contest is open to anyone (amateur and professional photographers from all over the world); however, an entry may be rejected when the sponsoring organization or its agent, in its reasonable discretion, believes the entry does not conform to the contest rules and conditions.
Entries must originate as photographs (image-captures of objects via light sensitivity) made by the entrant on photographic emulsion or acquired digitally. By virtue of submitting an entry, the entrant certifies the image as his own (aliases are not permitted). The entrant permits the sponsors to reproduce all or part of the entered material free of charge for publication and/or display in media related to the exhibition. This may include low resolution posting on a website. Note: Entrants who indicate that their images may not be reproduced or used 'will not be eligible for awards' or inclusion in audio-visuals of the exhibition 'and could be subject to disqualification' by the exhibition sponsors.
By submitting an entry, the entrant certifies legal Age, and own all rights to these images, including copyright or parents or guardians gives permission on his/her behalf if he/she is not of Legal Age. The exhibition assumes no liability of any misuse of copyright. Images may be altered, either electronically or otherwise, by the maker. All final image must be on photographic film, or on electronic file, or on photographic or electronic print material, mounting excepted.
No title or identification of the maker shall be visible anywhere on the face of an image, print mat or mount.

Photographs must be in JPEG format, with dimensions 1920x1080 pixels at 300, JPEG compression (if Photoshop used for export): 7-12, file size maximum 4 Mb. Each image must have a unique title. Titles must not include file extensions such as .jpg or .jpeg (or any other camera capture filenames). No title or identification of the maker shall be written anywhere on the face of an image.
The photographs of participants with the application are submitted in these ways:
- uploading thought our website: https://theiaap.com/e/olympics/
- by e-mail: [email protected]

The judging will be done by remote online judging. All judges will be using equipment capable of displaying images at 100% of the image resolution. Judges will be using color calibrated equipment. Target Range will be max 30%.

By entering this contest, you are explicitly consenting to the personal details you have supplied, including physical addresses, email addresses, being held, processed and used by the contest organizers for purposes associated with this contest. You also explicitly consent to such information being sent to organizations that have accorded official recognition, patronage or accreditation to this contest. You acknowledge, agree and accept that by entering this contest, your participation status which includes your first and last name, name of the country used during registration at the contest, number of sections entered and number of photos entered in those sections will be made public in a published status list and that the results of your entry shall be made public in exhibition gallery, exhibition catalog.

• Dimitrina Vasileva; (Bulgaria)
• Ken Ang; (Singapore)
• Selcuk Ozdil; (Turkiye)
• Elina Garipova; (Russia)
• Ivan Stojanovic; (Serbia)
• Marin Margeta; (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
• Renat Mansurov Raysovich; (Kazakhstan)
• Aleksis Saveriades; (Cyprus)

In each of the third round of qualifications the judges of the event will present the following awards:

4 x IAAP Gold Medal, 4 x IAAP Silver Medal, 4 x IAAP Bronze Medal, 16 x IAAP Diploma,
4 x PhotOympic Gold medal , 4 x PhotOympic Silver Medal, 4 x PhotOympic Bronze Medal, 16 x PhotOympic Diploma,
1 x FSS Gold Medal, 1 x FSS Silver Medal, 1 x FSS Bronze Medal, 8 x FSS Diploma
Total 67 awards in each round of qualifications.
The organizer reserves the right to adjust the number of awards based on the total number of entrants.

All entries shall conform to the stricter of these definitions for acceptances to be validated by all the international organizations granting recognition or patronage.

[IAAP Definition of Nature]
A nature photograph records all aspects of the natural world, both animate and inanimate. The primary subject of a nature photograph should be animals and elements of nature, though human and human-made elements are allowed as long as they do not dominate the scene. The image must convey the truth of the scene and be presented honestly, without unethical practices to manipulate the subject or setting. High technical standards are expected, and the photograph should look natural. Human activity or objects are permissible only if they are a necessary part of the nature story being told.


[IAAP Definition of Photojournalism]
A photojournalism photograph is an image that captures a moment or event in a way that tells a factual story, intended to inform and convey truth to the public. It should document real events, people, and places without staging or manipulation, ensuring the authenticity of the scene. The primary aim is to provide an accurate and unbiased representation of the subject matter, often related to news, social issues, cultural events, or significant moments in history. Ethical standards are crucial in photojournalism, prohibiting any alterations that could mislead the viewer or distort the reality of the captured moment.

Notification cards will be sent by email.

Ranko Djurovic
Novi Sad, Serbia

email: [email protected]
website: https://photolympic.com
website: https://theiaap.com/e/olympics/