Online Photography Contest 'IMA next' Calls for Exhibition Entries for Asama International Photo Festival 2026 PHOTO MIYOTA

Amana Inc. (Headquarters: Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Takeshi Kaneko; hereinafter 'Amana'), a company dedicated to driving communication innovation through creativity, announces a collaborative project between 'IMA next'—a photography contest organized by 'IMA', a platform that promotes art photography through magazines and online media under the concept of 'LIVING WITH PHOTOGRAPHY'—and the Asama International Photo Festival 2026 PHOTO MIYOTA. This initiative will call for exhibition entries to be showcased at PHOTO MIYOTA 2026, opening on Saturday, August 1, 2026.

▼ About 'IMA next'

'IMA next' is an open online photography contest hosted by 'IMA', a platform for art photography. The contest aims to discover emerging talent by selecting outstanding works from public submissions. In addition to online contests featuring guest judges from the global photography community, in 2025, 'IMA next' collaborated with the art project 'UWAJIMA SITHTS 2025' held in Uwajima City, Ehime Prefecture, calling for exhibition entries for the project.

▼ About the Asama International Photo Festival PHOTO MIYOTA

The Asama International Photo Festival PHOTO MIYOTA began in 2018 as a festival dedicated to promoting photographic culture from the foothills of Mount Asama to the world.

This year, the festival expands beyond its main venue at the MMoP multipurpose facility in Miyota Town to various locations throughout the town. Visitors can enjoy immersive photographic experiences while appreciating the beautiful natural surroundings and local atmosphere of the Asama foothills.

The 2026 theme is 'After the Image'. Focusing on events that unfold after the creation of a photograph, the festival will exhibit works by approximately 20 artists from Japan and abroad. Curation is led by Mukako Ota, Editorial Director of 'IMA'.

https://asamaphotofes.jp/

This is a rare opportunity for your work to be exhibited alongside renowned photographers. We welcome your participation with free and creative expression. We look forward to seeing outstanding works emerge from IMA next to enrich Miyota.

▼ Submission Guidelines

Submission Format: Open Call / Series of Photographs

Submission Period: Friday, July 3, 2026 – Sunday, July 12, 2026

URL: https://ima-next.jp/entry/open-call-2026/

How to Apply:

- Click the 'ENTRY' button on the 'Open Call' page to access the dedicated application form.

※ Up to six photos can be uploaded per submission.

※ If you wish to submit multiple series separately, please make individual entries.

※ Please review the Terms of Use before applying. Submission implies agreement.

Eligibility:

- Applicants under 18 must have parental consent. Submissions by minors are considered to have obtained such consent.

- There are no restrictions based on nationality, age, gender, or experience (professional or amateur).

- Individuals or groups may apply.

Work Requirements:

- Only still images are eligible.

- Digitally edited works using software or apps are acceptable.

- Submissions via physical media such as DVDs or Blu-rays are not accepted.

- Works that are deemed not to qualify as photographic expression may be excluded from judging.

- Up to six files of 10MB each can be submitted per entry.

- Works infringing third-party rights (copyright, trademark, portrait rights, etc.) are ineligible. If your submission includes third-party copyrighted materials (artworks, films, photos, music, etc.) or other rights, you must obtain prior approval from the rights holder for this submission.

- Entries must consist of 2 to 6 photographs. The number of works displayed may vary depending on the award category and exhibition method.

- Winners may be asked to submit high-resolution image files after the results are announced, especially if large-scale printing is required for display at the Asama International Photo Festival 2026 PHOTO MIYOTA. (Recommended: long edge of 12,000px or more.)

▼ Awards

◎ Grand Prix: Exhibition at Asama International Photo Festival 2026 PHOTO MIYOTA

◎ 2 Runner-ups: Exhibition at Asama International Photo Festival 2026 PHOTO MIYOTA

◎ 3 Semi-Finalists: Exhibition at Asama International Photo Festival 2026 PHOTO MIYOTA

※ The number of displayed photographs varies by award category

◎ Shortlist: Featured on the IMA next website

About Amana Inc.

Founded in 1979 as an advertising photography production company, Amana has expanded into Japan’s largest creative studio, producing and providing visual content including still photography, video (TV commercials, web videos), and CG (retouching, 3DCG, apparel CG). Today, leveraging abundant creative resources and knowledge gained from handling over 10,000 projects annually, Amana strives to achieve communication innovation that conveys client value and moves people. Furthermore, by integrating proprietary solutions developed in-house, Amana supports clients in advancing communication strategies and digital transformation (DX), undertaking numerous projects to enhance corporate value together with its clients.