About

Giga is excited to announce our inaugural competition with the theme "The Joy of Connection".

We will accept submissions via Picter from 1st - 30th April 2025. Our contest will feature three categories:

• Single Image

• Junior Visual Storyteller

• Multiple Image

We will have a panel of 6 esteemed jury members from around the world.

The judging will be held on 6 and 7 May, 2025 in Geneva and winners will be announced on our social media channels.

Launched in 2019, Giga is a partnership between UNICEF and ITU that aims to connect every school in the world to the Internet. At Giga, we understand that photography, when coupled with the internet, is a powerful tool of connecting us with the world.

This is why we aim to launch the Giga Photo Contest, based in Geneva, on the theme, "The Joy of Connection", to highlight the role internet connectivity plays in providing information, opportunity, and choice.  

Participants can submit their personal and professional work expanding on the theme which may feature:  

• Impact of internet in rural/urban and developing/developed countries and its role in connecting people  

• Innovations in schools highlighting the role of connectivity which inform and empower 

• The role of technology as a lifeline in strengthening personal, family, and community relationships  

• Documenting how digital literacy bridges the digital divide and transforms people's lives 

• Highlighting the role of virtual support networks especially during natural and human-induced calamities  

• Stories of low-cost technology solutions to bring internet connectivity across communities 

• Showcasing how connectivity improves access to better healthcare 

• Document the participation of women and girls in the digital space and technology's role in empowering them. 

• Highlighting the benefits of digital connectivity and lifelong access to digital learning opportunities especially for vulnerable population.

Who can enter

Anyone can enter. We encourage emerging photographers to participate.

Judges

In collaboration with HEAD-Genève, we will have both student and professional jury members.

The six professional judges for the Giga Photo Contest 2025 are:

• Amanda Voisard, Senior Photo Editor UNICEF

• Danaé Panchaud, Director, Centre de la photographie Genève

• Fiona Wachera, Photo Editor and Storytelling and Content Specialist at Aga Khan University

• Jessica Lim, Director, Angkor Photo Festival and Workshops

• Juan Manuel Fernandez, President ITU Photo Club  

• Paolo Pellegrin, Magnum Photos

To know more about the judges, visit https://gigaphotofestival.global and our social media platforms.

Judging Process

The judging sessions can be accessed on the @gigaphotofestival website and @gigaglobal social media platform.

Submissions

Submission to the Giga Photo Contest 2025 is free. Submissions will be eligible for inclusion in exhibits, advocacy publications, and become part of the UNICEF archives.

Winners:

The winners will receive:

1. Single Image:

First Place:

• Giga Photo Fellowship of 2,000 USD

• Mentorship by Centre de la photographie Genève

• A plaque by Giga 

Second Place:

• Prize money of 1,000 USD. 

• Portfolio review 

• A plaque by Giga

Third Place:

• Prize money of 500 USD

• A plaque by Giga 

2. Junior Visual Storyteller

First Place:

• Mentorship by Centre de la photographie Genève

• A plaque by Giga 

Second Place:

• Photo workshop programme

• A plaque by Giga 

Third Place:

• A photobook

• A plaque by Giga 

3. Multiple Images:

First Place:

• Giga Photo Fellowship of 3,000 USD to the winner to cover the role of internet connectivity through a photo-story, to be published at a leading newspaper or magazine.

• Mentorship by Centre de la photographie Genève

• A plaque by Giga 

Second Place:

• Prize money of 1,000 USD  

• Portfolio review

• A plaque by Giga 

Third Place:

• Prize money of 500 USD  

• A plaque by Giga