Capture the Future of Food: The 20th SEARCA Photo Contest

The 20th SEARCA Photo Contest is calling on photographers across Southeast Asia to visually explore the critical theme of “Food for All, Food for the Future.” This competition offers a unique opportunity to showcase the people and systems that ensure our food is nourishing, safe, accessible, and resilient for generations to come. For twenty years, SEARCA has used this contest to highlight the importance of agriculture and rural development, and this year’s theme poses a vital question about balancing present needs with future sustainability.

Understanding the Theme: “Food for All, Food for the Future”

This year’s contest theme is divided into sub-themes that photographers can explore. These sub-themes focus on different aspects of the food system, from production to consumption, and the challenges and innovations within them. The goal is to capture images that tell a story about how we can feed everyone today while also building food systems that can support us tomorrow. This involves looking at sustainable farming practices, equitable distribution, food security, and the impact of climate change on agriculture.

Prizes and Recognition

Participants have the chance to win significant cash prizes and certificates. The contest offers a first prize of $1,000, a second prize of $800, and a third prize of $500. Additionally, a SEARCA Center Director’s Choice award comes with a $500 prize. These awards recognize outstanding photographic work that powerfully communicates the contest’s theme and its underlying messages. Winning these prizes can provide valuable recognition for photographers and their work.

Eligibility Requirements

The 20th SEARCA Photo Contest is open to all Southeast Asian nationals. However, SEARCA staff and their immediate family members are not eligible to enter. All submitted photographs must be digital, in color, and in JPEG format. For optimal display and reproduction, images should have a resolution of at least 300 dpi, with a minimum width of 3,000 pixels for horizontal photos or 3,000 pixels in height for vertical photos.

Judging Criteria: What Makes a Winning Photo?

Entries will be evaluated based on a clear set of criteria designed to identify compelling and relevant photographic work. The theme and sub-theme relevance will account for 40% of the score, emphasizing the importance of capturing the contest’s core message. Technical quality, including composition, lighting, and focus, will be worth 30%. The remaining 30% will be based on the photo’s impact, storytelling ability, authenticity, and its value in communicating to the public.

How to Apply

Submitting your entry is straightforward. All applications must be completed through the official SEARCA Photo Contest website by September 30, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. (GMT+8). When submitting, each entry needs to include specific details in English. This includes the photographer’s full name, age range, and sex at birth, along with their country of citizenship and professional status. A brief description of the photo, limited to 400 characters, is also required, along with the sub-theme entered, the location where the photo was taken (including the country), and the exact date the photo was captured.

Conclusion

The 20th SEARCA Photo Contest offers a compelling platform for photographers to contribute to a global conversation about food security and sustainability. By capturing the essence of “Food for All, Food for the Future,” participants can not only win prizes but also raise awareness about the critical issues facing our food systems. This is an excellent opportunity to showcase talent, share stories, and highlight the importance of agriculture in Southeast Asia and beyond.