Al Ain: Capture the beauty and culture of Al Ain through camera lenses, still and video, and win prizes worth a total of Dh1 million as Al Ain Municipality launches the second annual photography competition.

The objective of the competition is to establish a library encompassing a photographic timeline of Al Ain. The library has been given the name of Dar Al Zain (the home of grace). The organisers said that they had thorough discussions on the idea of the competition to make it appealing and fruitful.

“The competition is open to anyone, there are no age restrictions and submissions can be made by UAE nationals, residents and non-residents,” said an official of Al Ain Municipality. Images and footage can be submitted before March 16. The award ceremony will be held early in April.

The competition is being held under the patronage of Shaikha Dr Shamma Bint Mohammad Bin Khalid Al Nahyan, one of the most prominent cultural figures who heads a number of cultural and educational platforms in Al Ain, according to the organisers.

The top five pictures in three categories will be given cash prizes worth a total of Dh125,000, including Dh50,000 for the picture adjudged the best by the official jury. In the video category, cash prizes worth Dh165,000 will be given to the winning footage, including Dh60,000 for the best video.

There are three categories for images — Personalities and Cultural Icons, Sustainability, and Lifestyle. The first category focuses on capturing the personalities of Al Ain from various age groups, and how they interact with the scenery of the city. In the second category, shutterbugs need to focus on projects related to conservation of natural resources and environmental sustainability. In the third category, images must portray the variety of the traditions of Emirati and expatriate lifestyles and culture.

Videographers can tell their story about Al Ain in a 30-second footage, an average length of a TV commercial, in an engaging and entertaining way, said the organises.

The participants, following the rules and regulations, can submit up to five images and two videos at any time during the submission period with an accurate description of the location. The images must be of 3mb to 15mb. Interested applicants can submit their entries through the website http://www.alainphotographiaaward.ae

Al Ain Municipality has said that it has appointed separate juries for the video and photography competitions. Each jury comprises five renowned artists and professionals within their field and representatives of Al Ain Municipality.

The judging will take place on a weekly basis and the juries will preselect 15 photos from each photography category and 10 from the video category every week to go through to the final round. The final 270 photographs and 60 videos will then be reviewed after the final submission date and the winners will be selected, said the organisers.

Preselected photos and videos will also automatically enter for a separate award called the People’s Choice in which each of the six weekly winners will receive a cash prize of Dh10,000.