DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, October 2021/ — In line with ‘Sustainability Day’ and aligned with key Canon pillar of ‘The Future of The Planet’ – ‘Moments that Matter’ is open for entries from photography enthusiasts worldwide aged 18 and over; Focused on four categories: Environment, Human, Social and Economic, the judging panel includes an array of prestigious international talent, with prizes including US $8,000 in cash, gold coins and a Canon R5 camera plus lens; Competition will run from 28 October 2021 until 28 January 2022.
Canon today officially launched its ‘Moments That Matter’ photography competition. Held in collaboration with the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum International Photography Awards (HIPA), the competition aims to provide a platform for people to harness the power of visual storytelling to spark positive change. Focused on sustainability – one of Canon’s key corporate pillars and a theme of Expo 2020 Dubai – the competition will allow entrants to showcase what the future of the planet means to them.
With prizes including US $8,000 in cash, gold coins and Canon equipment up for grabs, the ‘Moments That Matter’ competition is open to photography enthusiasts from around the world aged 18 and over.
Participants are being challenged to capture and submit five images that best reflect the ideals of sustainability across any of four categories critical to global sustainability issues: Economic, Human, Environmental and Social.
Offering a wide spectrum for creativity, the entry categories are sub-divided into ‘Moments that make us’ (Environment), ‘Moments that heal us’ (Human), ‘Moments that save us’ (Social) and ‘Moments that develop us’ (Economic). Submissions can be entered via Canon’s website (https://bit.ly/3nAK882).
The submissions will be judged by an international panel of experts, including Fiona Shields, head of photography at Guardian News and Media Group; Kathy Moran, the deputy director of photography for National Geographic magazine; Aïda Muluneh, Canon ambassador and founder and director of Addis Foto Fest; Brent Stirton, Canon ambassador and senior photographer at Getty Images, and Muhammed Muheisen, Canon ambassador, National Geographic photographer and founder of Everyday Refugees.
Images from the shortlisted winners will be available to view in a virtual gallery hosted on Canon’s website, plus at a physical gallery located in Expo 2020 Dubai’s Sustainability Pavilion.
Somesh Adukia, Managing Director, Canon Central & North Africa (CCNA), said: “At Canon, we are exploring what ‘The Future of the Planet’ may look like, while picturing a sustainable future for all. As part of our efforts to bring this important topic into the light, we have launched the ‘Moments that Matter’ photography worldwide competition at Expo 2020 Dubai.
“This is an issue that will impact all our futures, which is why we want to engage the world and see through the eyes of as many people as possible, sharing in their vision of what the future of the planet means to them.
“This initiative will help people to see the bigger picture and how sustainability can frame every aspect of our lives.”
Throughout October to January, Canon will host a series of webinars that will feature tips and tricks from Canon ambassadors that will help audiences to enhance their story-telling skills. These webinars are open to the public and are accessible through Canon’s website.
His Excellency Ali Khalifa Bin Thalith Al Hamairi, Secretary General, HIPA, said, “The Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum International Photography Awards are pleased to collaborate with Canon, one of the global imaging partners, and Expo 2020 Dubai, in supporting visual art and innovation, steering the way towards a brighter future, with renewed creativity and a vision for the future of humanity. Photography is a powerful tool, and participants will need to creatively capture “Moments That Matter” through inspiring and powerful visual imagery.
“In line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Chairman of the Executive Council and Patron of HIPA, we have completed a decade of spreading the culture of photography and empowering communities to sustainably bridge the gap and nurture humanity and our planet through sustainability. We invite all professional and amateur photographers to participate in this competition that challenges your limits and gets you out of your comfort zone.”
Marjan Faraidooni, Chief Experience Officer, Expo 2020 Dubai, said: “One of our driving objectives at Expo 2020 Dubai is to bring nations together to discuss and find solutions for global challenges. Humanity’s success in addressing the challenge of sustainability is, by definition, critical to its ongoing viability and through Expo 2020 we hope to help lay positive foundations for future generations. Joining forces with HIPA and Canon for ‘Moments That Matter is a positive step towards creating a movement that will help communities recognize the importance of protecting and preserving the world around us. We believe in the power of art and creativity in helping us drive powerful messages and therefore are really excited about launching this initiative with our partners.”
For more information on entry submission and terms and conditions, please click here (https://bit.ly/2ZsWZkm).
The ‘Moments That Matter’ competition is part of a series of interactive events and programs to promote using the power of imagery to capture, preserve and share with the world the most inspiring transformative ideas showcased at the exhibition. Canon’s interactive events and programs aligns with Expo 2020 Dubai’s pillars of Opportunity, Mobility and Sustainability with corporate priority platforms of the ‘Future of the Planet’, the ‘Future of People in it’ and the ‘Future of what is Possible’.
About Canon Central and North Africa:
Canon Central and North Africa (CCNA) (Canon-CNA.com) is a division within Canon Middle East FZ LLC (CME), a subsidiary of Canon Europe.
The formation of CCNA in 2015 was a strategic step that aimed to enhance Canon’s business within the Africa region – by strengthening Canon’s in-country presence and focus. CCNA also demonstrates Canon’s commitment to operating closer to its customers and meeting their demands in the rapidly evolving African market.
Canon has been represented in the African continent for more than 15 years through distributors and partners that have successfully built a solid customer base in the region. CCNA ensures the provision of high quality, technologically advanced products that meet the requirements of Africa’s rapidly evolving marketplace. With over 100 employees, CCNA manages sales and marketing activities across 44 countries in Africa.
Canon’s corporate philosophy is Kyosei (https://bit.ly/3vL2qHs) – ‘living and working together for the common good’. CCNA pursues sustainable business growth, focusing on reducing its own environmental impact and supporting customers to reduce theirs using Canon’s products, solutions and services.
At Canon, we are pioneers, constantly redefining the world of imaging for the greater good. Through our technology and our spirit of innovation, we push the bounds of what is possible – helping us to see our world in ways we never have before. We help bring creativity to life, one image at a time. Because when we can see our world, we can transform it for the better.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Canon Central and North Africa (CCNA).
