The Photojournalist Club (PJ Club) Nepal announces the fifth edition of the country’s biggest photo contest – the IME Global IME Bank Nepal Photo Contest 2073.

At a press conference organized by PJ Club at Royal Singi Hotel in Kamaladi, it was informed that the aim of the contest is to promote Nepal both nationally and internationally through the art of photography hoping it would accelerate the tourism sector.

The fifth edition of the IME Global IME Bank Nepal Photo Contest 2073 in association with Model Global visa consultancy, will be the biggest event of its kind for both professional and amateur photographers. And we believe it will be an even bigger success than the past four editions and reach new heights. The total prize purse is increased this year to NRs. 520 thousand across seven categories.

Ever since its establishment as an umbrella organization of photojournalists in 2061, the PJ Club has been working to promote photography in the country through various activities.

As the flagship event, the Club has organized Nepal Photo Contests, the national level open photo competition. In 2071, more than 1,000 professional and amateur photographers submitted 9,000 photographs for the contest. It couldn’t be organized last year due to the earthquake.

The main sponsors of the Nepal Photo Contest are IME and Global IME Bank. The event is promoted by Nepal Tourism Board and supported by Model Global Visa Consultancy. The seven categories for competition this year are Ghumphir Culture and Tourism, Nepal Telecom Wildlife and Nature, IMS Daily Life, Arghakhachi Cements News Photo, Shikhar Insurance Nepal Smiles, Model Global Visa Consultancy Sports and Photo Story. Participants can send photos taken anytime except in Arghakhachi Cement News Photo, which accepts only photo taken during 2071 and 2072.

This year’s events will be supported by BP Koirala India-Nepal Foundation, Adventure Sports, All Nepal Football Association, Yes magazine, Raika Tours, Vianet, and National Sports Council whereas Nepal Airlines will be the official airlines. NNA Media is the publicity partner and Foto Hollywood is the printing partner.

According to a press release issued by Photo Journalist Club, Photographs can be submitted in seven categories like Daily Life, Nature and Wildlife, Culture and Tourism, and Sports.

The submissions will be adjudged by a panel comprising Kunda Dixit, Mani Lama, Sangeeta Thapa, Sujan Chitrakar, Narendra Shrestha and Prakash Mathema, with renowned Indian photojournalist Prashant Panjiar as the chief judge. 

Three winners will be chosen in each category while the best photo among all submissions will be announced the ‘IME Global IME Bank Photo of Year.’ The best photo will pocket a cash prize of Rs 100,000. In each category, the winner will receive Rs 30,000 while the first and second runners-up will receive Rs 20,000 and Rs 10,000 respectively.

The best 150 photographs from the submissions will be exhibited for five days in Kathmandu. The exhibition will also be held in Biratnagar, Pokhara, Nepalgunj and Dhangadhi.