Student Photo Competition

Festival of Translocal 2026

Think about your everyday experiences of life wherever you call home and focus on those places and situations where you have felt connected to other places and times as well as to the present moment. This is translocalism.

Translocal urbanism draws attention to the deep and intersecting relationships between people and places over time, from the legacies of colonisation to contemporary migration and cultural diversity. These connections may be enriching, difficult, ambiguous or uneven. They can be seen in our identities, homes, food cultures, social networks, urban infrastructure, cultural life and environmental practices.

We are curating an exhibition of students’ experiences of translocalism for an exhibition that will form part of the 2026 Festival of translocal Urbanism September 6-11 (Sydney).

Send us your submission

Disclaimer: We reserve the right to award or withhold prizes at our discretion.

Key dates

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Competition opens

30 August

Competition closes

To be announced

Winner announcement / Award night

Choose an entry stream

1

Hybrid Identities


Create a visual work that represents your personal identity, drawing on elements such as cultural and social infrastructure, food, places, memories, traditions, or networks that have shaped who you are.

2

Hidden Global Sydney

Document one or more places in Sydney that reflect connections with another culture, city, country or wider global influence. Your entry might reveal how migration, cultural exchange, identity or global networks shape Sydney’s urban landscape.

Refer to the guidelines for details on the written reflection’s submission format and assessment criteria.

Judging panel

The judging panel will comprise a member from the PIA, along with the special exhibition curators, Dr Ian Woodcock and Dr Vera Xia.

guidelines

  • The competition is open to students who meet the following eligibility requirements:

    • Be currently enrolled in a university, TAFE, or other recognised tertiary education institution in New South Wales (NSW) at the time of entry.

    • Hold an active student email address that can be used to verify current enrolment.

    • There is no age limit for entrants.

    • Students from all disciplines and fields of study are encouraged to participate. You do not need to be studying photography, design, planning, or a related field.

  • Stream 1 Hybrid Identities

    • Create a visual work that represents your personal identity, drawing on elements such as cultural and social infrastructure, food, places, memories, traditions, or networks that have shaped who you are.

    Submit format, either:

    • one photograph; or

    • one collage.

    Written reflection:

    Include a short reflection (approx. 100 words) explaining the elements you chose and how they express your ‘translocal identity.’

    ———————————————————————-

    Stream 2 Hidden Global Sydney

    Document one or more places in Sydney that reflect connections with another culture, city, country or wider global influence. Your entry might reveal how migration, cultural exchange, identity or global networks shape Sydney’s urban landscape.

    Submit format, either:

    • one photograph; or

    • one short photo reel featuring up to three Sydney places.

    Written reflection:

    Include a short reflection (approx. 100 words) explaining the translocal connection represented by the place or places featured in your entry.

    • Featured in a digital exhibition on the FoU website.

    • May be published (with attribution) in the FoU Review.

  • Judging / Criteria for submissions:

    • Technical: Composition, lighting, exposure, colour and contrast.

    • Artistic: Creativity, storytelling, impact

    • Theme: Adherence to the idea of ‘regenerative urbanism’.

    • Best Overall ($500)

    • Highly Commended ($200 × 2)

    • Creative Award – Best Storytelling ($100).

  • Did you use AI for your submission?

    If yes, how and what platform did you use?

    For Stream 1, entrants may submit either an original photograph or a collage. Single photographs must be taken by the entrant. Collages may incorporate photography, illustration, digital artwork and AI-generated imagery. Entrants must identify any use of generative AI and confirm that they have the right to use all included material.

    For Stream 2, all photographs and reel footage must be created by the entrant. AI-generated images/clips are not permitted. Basic editing such as cropping and adjustments to colour, brightness or contrast is allowed, but the entry must not misrepresent the places documented.