2026 Digital Slideshow Competition
Rules & Guidelines

Chair: Henry Heerschap slideshow.competition@nwcameraclubs.org
Extended Deadline: October 11, 2025!

Click Here for Entry Form

New for 2026: The NWCCC board has implemented a new fee policy for the three NWCCC Competitions (Digital, Print, Digital Slideshows). If you register and pay $60 for the November 21 conference, there is no additional cost. If you do not register for the conference, there will be a $30 charge. This covers all three competitions. 

Click here to pay the $30 fee (if not registering for the conference).

Two categories:

    • Photo Essay – Can cover any subject except travel. There are no restrictions on the subject matter, content, or special effects. However, a slideshow may be disqualified by the competition chair if it is deemed inappropriate for a general audience. 
    • Travel Essay – A travel sequence of a place, people, or geographical area.

Rules:

    • The competition is open to any individual members of an NWCCC member club. A full list of eligible clubs can be found at https://nwcameraclubs.org/member-clubs/.
    • Entries can be by an individual featuring the work of the maker; or a group, a collaborative entry with several makers.
    • All images must be the maker’s, or the group’s members’ own images, except for:
      • Photos or art not made by the entrant (for example, photos of historical persons, photos of the earth from space, historical photos of buildings or maps, etc., needed to tell the story) can comprise no more than 10% of the show.
    • Shows can have a maximum running time of no more than five (5) minutes. This is strictly enforced. Shows longer than 5:00 will be disqualified.
    • DO NOT include the name of the maker or makers in the submitted show. However, you should make a second version of the show with the name included. If you are a place winner, you will be asked to submit the credited version. If you already have it made, this will be a quick process. 
    • Shows must include music credits (see section on music guidelines). 
    • Limit of two (2) entries per person and two (2) entries per group. Members of a group may also enter individually. A single person could potentially enter four times if two of the entries are with a group.
    • You must indicate on your registration form the category you are entering. If you are entering two slideshows, they can be in either category or both categories.
    • Slideshows must be submitted in MP4 or M4V. No other format will be accepted. Please use full HD (1920×1080), also called 1080p. Do not make it larger. 
    • A completed entry form must accompany each entry.

Note on music:
Due to copyright issues, any slideshow featuring commercial music for which the maker does not have permission to use may not be featured on the NWCCC website regardless of whether it wins or not. We encourage competition participants to use royalty-free music whenever possible. Click here for music guidelines and resources for more information. 

Judging criteria

Judging will be based on such criteria as:

    • Photographic mastery (image quality, composition, exposure, etc.)
    • Slideshow production skills (timings, transitions, music use, etc.)
    • Entertainment value (tells a story, expresses a theme, educates and/or inspires the audience, etc.)
    • Originality and impact.

Final awards will be determined by qualified judges unaffiliated with the NWCCC or its clubs.

Awards
Rix Showcase Award for Best in Show. Named in honor of the late NWCCC Board Member Howard C. Rix, FPSA.
First, second, and third place awards will be awarded in each of the two categories.

Showings
Winning shows may be shown at the NWCCC Annual Conference and possibly posted to the NWCCC website.

Indemnity
NWCCC and its volunteers are not responsible for failure of receipt, loss, or damage of any shows entered into the competition.

Consent and Copyright
The entrant must be the sole author(s) of the copyright. By entering your show into the competition, you grant to NWCCC the right to use your show for promotions and/or posting on the NWCCC website. The photographer will be credited whenever possible. The ownership of the show and the images will remain with the maker or makers.

Submitting Your Show
After submitting the entry form, your show must be submitted electronically. The email address to use is slideshow.competition@nwcameraclubs.org. 
Options include: