2026 Photography Contest - Per me, l'Italia è...

Italy can mean something different to everyone. It might be a place, a person, a memory, a tradition, a favourite dish, or a simple moment that brings Italy to mind.

We invite CIS students to capture and share what Italy means to you through photography. Show us a glimpse of Italy through your eyes and tell us the story behind your image: what makes it meaningful to you, and why it represents Italy in your own way.

This is your opportunity to share your perspective, express your creativity, and connect with our community through the power of visual storytelling.

Who Can Participate?

This contest is open exclusively to all students currently enrolled in Term 4 of 2026 at Centre of Italian Studies. This does not include enrolments from credit notes.

What Are We Looking For?

We’re looking for captivating photos that show what Italy means to you.

It could be a cherished memory, a favourite place, a person, a meaningful tradition, an everyday moment, an object, or simply a feeling that makes you think of Italy.

Whether it’s something deeply personal or a moment that captures the spirit of Italy, we want to see Italy through your eyes.

How to Participate

1. Capture - Choose one of the pictures you took in Italy that has a special meaning to you.
   
   
2. Describe - Give your photo a title and describe what Italy means to you. Both title and description must be in Italian, no matter what you level is, we will take into consideration the creativity, the effort and the most captivating picture. No AI or online translators are allowed. 
   
   
3. Submit - Submit your high-resolution photo, title, and description here by Sunday, 8 November 2026. Please note that there will be a submission fee of $15 to cover the costs of printing and showcasing the pictures, as well as the Award Ceremony and Aperitivo event, which will be held at CIS in Carlton on Friday, 20 November. Snacks and drinks will be provided for participants attending the Award Ceremony and Aperitivo event.

Exhibition and Voting

All submitted photos will be displayed in a dedicated exhibition space at our school. The CIS panel of judges will review all submissions and select the winners.The judges’ decisions are final and cannot be contested.

Prizes

The prizes will be awarded for the most outstanding work in the exhibition. The CIS panel of judges will select them in the following categories:

• First Prize: One year of standard Italian classes (online or face-to-face) in 2027.
• Second Prize: Two terms of standard Italian classes (online or face-to-face) in 2027.
• Third Prize: One term of standard Italian classes (online or face-to-face) in 2027.

All prizes are valid for courses held in 2027 only.

Course materials are not included in the prizes. Winners must purchase the required book for each course separately.

Key Dates

• Submission Deadline: Sunday, 8 November 2026
  
  
• Award Ceremony and Aperitivo: Friday, 20 November 2026 

Terms and Conditions

• Eligibility

  • The contest is open exclusively to current students of the Centre of Italian Studies (CIS) enrolled in Term 4 of 2026.
  • Each participant must submit only one photo.

• Submission Requirements

  • All photos must be original work taken by the participant.
  • All photos uploaded must be made with a camera.
  • Upload photos with the original pixel size (unless cropped). Do not scale and do not change the resolution.
  • All photos must be uploaded in JPEG or PNG format with high-quality compression. Max 10mb.
  • No synthetic or artificially-generated images are allowed, and no use of artificially generative fill is allowed. Any use of generative AI will automatically disqualify the entry from the contest.
  • Photos should depict what Italy means for the participant to this contest
  • Submissions must include a high-resolution digital file, a title, and a brief description in Italian (max 500 characters).
  • A submission fee of $15 is required to cover the costs of printing and showcasing the finalist photos, as well as for the event with aperitivo on 20 November 2026 at CIS, in Carlton.

• Submission Process

  • Participants must submit their photo, title, and description by Sunday, 8 November 2026.
  • Submissions must be made here.

• Judging and Exhibition

  • All submitted photos will be reviewed by a panel of judges from CIS.
  • Photos will be displayed in a dedicated exhibition space at CIS.
  • The judges' decisions are final and binding in all respects.

• Prizes

  • Prizes will be awarded to the most outstanding work in the exhibition.
  • All prizes are valid for courses held in 2027 only.
  • Categories and prizes are as follows:
    • First Prize: One year of standard Italian classes (online or face-to-face) in 2027.
    • Second Prize: Two terms of standard Italian classes (online or face-to-face) in 2027.
    • Third Prize: One term of standard Italian classes (online or face-to-face) in 2027.
  • Course materials are not included in the prizes. Winners must purchase the required book for each course separately.
  • Prizes are non-negotiable, non-transferable, and non-refundable. No cash alternative is available. Where a prize becomes unavailable for any reason, CIS reserves the right to substitute that prize for a prize of equal value.

• General Conditions

  • By participating, entrants agree to be bound by these terms and conditions.
  • Participants grant CIS the right to use, reproduce, and display their submitted photos for promotional purposes without additional compensation.
  • CIS reserves the right to disqualify any entry that does not comply with these terms and conditions or that is otherwise deemed inappropriate.

• Event Details

  • An award ceremony and aperitivo will take place on Friday, 20 November 2026 at CIS in Carlton.
  • An Italian aperitivo will be provided for all attendees.

• Liability

  • CIS is not responsible for any loss or damage to the submitted photos.
  • Participants agree to release and hold harmless CIS from any claims arising out of participation in the contest.

• Contact Information

  • For any questions or further information, participants can contact CIS at [email protected] or (03) 9347 9144.