FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

For FAQ on Portfolio or Photobooks Showcase, scroll down.
For questions not answered here, please contact the Festival Office at info@sipf.sg.

 

PORTFOLIO SHOWCASE

  1. Do I have to be a qualified photographer to participate?
    Answer: No, you do not have to be qualified in order to participate. SIPF is open to all emerging and established photographers worldwide.
  2. Are non-Singaporeans allowed to participate?
    Answer: Yes. Participation is open to both Singaporeans and non-Singaporeans from all over the world.
  3. Is there a specific theme for the submission?
    Answer: The Open Call is non-thematic.
  4. What is the minimum and maximum number of images that I can submit?
    Answer: Each body of works must include a minimum of 7 images, and a maximum 20 images.
  5. How many bodies/series of works can I submit?
    Answer: Each submission permits only 1 body of work. There is no limit to the number of submissions per participant.
  6. What constitutes a body of work?
    Answer: A body of work consists of more than one image. It should embody and convey a consistent message, idea, theme and/or topic.
  7. Will I still retain the copyright of my images?
    Answer: Yes. All artists will retain their rights to their works. However, if a project is selected, the artist is required to transfer his/her rights to SIPF temporarily for free reproduction and exhibition of the submitted images in all media, printed marketing material, publication and online, but only in connection with SIPF and its promotion.
  8. Am I allowed to submit digitally-manipulated images?
    Answer: Yes.
  9. Can I submit the same images for the Open Call Showcase and SIPF’s Portfolio Review?
    Answer: Yes.
  10. Other than still images, will other forms of submission of media be accepted?
    Answer: Yes.
  11. Can I submit works that were previously published by other exhibition/competitions?
    Answer: Yes, but submitted works must not be exhibited in Singapore 6 months prior to the festival showcase in November 2020.
  12. Can I submit my images via mail?
    Answer: No. Submission of images has to be done online. To submit your works online, visit http://register.sipf.sg/
  13. Who will be selecting the works?
    Answer: Information on our panel jury has been updated.
  14. What is an artist statement?
    Answer: An artist statement is a written description of your body of works. The write up should convey a consistent message, idea, theme and/or topic of your series.
  15. Can I submit my works without an artist statement?
    Answer: No. An artist statement is important for the curators to understand the submitted works. The artist statement will also be used in the festival website, exhibition and catalogue if your works are selected. Hence, it is strongly advised that participants submit a cohesive and concise artist statement or risk being disqualified.
  16. Why is there a participation fee and how will it be utilise?
    Answer: The participation fee will cover administrative costs to process the Open Call submissions, and as well as the essential costs of the festival exhibition.
  17. What are the modes of payment available?
    Answer: Payment is made via Paypal at the end of your application process. Paypal accepts major credit cards, debit card and bank transfer.
  18. Is there a subsidise registration fee for students / non-working participants?
    Answer: There is no special rate for students / non-working participants. All participants are required to pay the stated registration fee.
  19. Can I register and pay on behalf of another photographer?
    Answer: To prevent unnecessary misunderstanding, photographers are advised to register under their own name for submission of works.
  20. When will the results of selected photographers be announced?
    Answer: The results will be announced in July 2020 via email notification. It will also be publicised on SIPF’s website.
  21. If I am not based in Singapore, do I have to be physically present during the festival?
    Answer: You need not be physically present during the festival.
  22. Upon selection, do I have to print my own works?
    Answer: No. We have an Official Print Partner of SIPF 2020, to print the works of selected photographers for the festival exhibition.
  23. Am I allowed to submit my work after the deadline?
    Answer: We strongly advise you to submit your works by the deadline stated. There would be a penalty fee of USD$50 for works submitted up to 3 days after the deadline.


 

 PHOTOBOOKS

    1. Who can participate in the Open Call for Photobooks Showcase?
      Answer: The Photobook Open Call Showcase is open to all photographers and/or publishers.
    2. Are self-published or handmade books allowed?
      Answer: Yes, self-published and/or handmade books are accepted.
    3. How many photobooks can I submit?
      Answer: There is no limit to the number of book submissions per person.
    4. Do I have to submit a copy of my book to the Festival Office?
      Answer: Yes. The physical copy of your book must arrive at the SIPF Festival Office by 30 July 2020, all late entries or submissions without a physical book will be disqualified.
    5. Who will be selecting the photobooks?
      Answer: Information on our jury has been updated.
    6. What are the modes of payment available?
      Answer: Payment is made via Paypal at the end of your application process. Paypal accepts major credit cards, debit card and bank transfer.
    7. What if my country does not accept PayPal?
      Answer: We understand that PayPal is unavailable in selected countries. (https://www.paypal.com/webapps/mpp/country-worldwide). For countries that do not accept PayPal, please contact the festival office at info@sipf.sg for an alternate mode of payment before the official deadline.
    8. Why is there a participation fee and how will it be utilize?
      Answer: The participation fee will cover administrative costs to process the Open Call submissions, and as well as the essential costs of the festival exhibition.
    9. When will the results of selected photobooks be announced?
      Answer: The finalists will be announced in July 2020 via email notification. It will also be publicised on SIPF’s website. The winners will be announced on the Opening Night of SIPF.
    10. Is there a refund if my books are not selected / if I decide to withdraw my submission from SIPF?
      Answer: No refund is allowed once payment has been made.
    11. What are the expenses covered by the festival?
      Answer: The festival covers all expenses accompanying the exhibition structures, the necessary logistic costs, and where necessary, temporary matting for the festival exhibition.
      SIPF will also produce festival brochures/guides as promotional material for exhibiting photographers. SIPF does not cover expenses such as hire fees, or travel costs of the photographer, unless specified otherwise in a separate written agreement。
    12. Am I allowed to make changes after confirming my submission?
      Answer: Strictly no changes are allowed after payment has been made. Participants are advised to check their submission thoroughly before proceeding to payment.
    13. Do I have to pay for postage to send the physical copy of my photobook to the Festival Office?
      Yes. The cost of postage to the Festival office will be fully borne by participants.
    14. What is the address of the Festival Office?

      [As of 13th June]
      Due to COVID-19, there is temporary office closure. Please DO NOT post your book to the festival office. Instead, after you submit your entry, wait for an email from us with an alternative address to post your book to.

    15. What happens to the physical copy of my photobook?
      The top 50 finalists of the submitted Photobooks will be archived as part of DECK’s library as a resource of research for the public at the end of the festival. If you would like your book to be returned to you, you will be required to cover the full postage return.
    16. What happens if my books are not delivered on time?
      Your submission will be disqualified. All books must be received by SIPF Festival Office before 30 August 2020. There will be no refunds if books are not delivered on time.

      [As of 13th June]
      Due to COVID-19, there is temporary office closure. Please DO NOT post your book to the festival office. Instead, after you submit your entry, wait for an email from us with an alternative address to post your book to.

    17. Am I allowed to submit my work after the deadline?
      Answer: We strongly advise you to submit your works by the deadline stated. There would be a penalty fee of USD$50 for works submitted up to 3 days after the deadline.