About the Competition
At the Tokyo International Foto Awards (TIFA), we celebrate outstanding photography from around the globe. Our mission is to recognize, honor, and connect talented photographers with new audiences and creative communities in Tokyo, Japan. The competition is open to photographers of all levels and nationalities—we welcome your unique vision and invite you to share your work with the world.
If you’re looking to showcase your work to the vibrant Hungarian creative community, we invite you to explore our affiliate competition—the Budapest International Foto Awards (BIFA). Submit your photography and gain exposure in one of Central Europe’s most dynamic artistic hubs.
Awards and Promotion
WINNERS BENEFITS
Winners of the Tokyo International Foto Awards (TIFA) gain significant international recognition and exposure. Unlike many other photography competitions, all the benefits of winning TIFA are included in your entry fee—there are no hidden costs. We offer extensive media coverage through our network of magazine and newspaper partners, who actively promote and distribute the winning work to a global audience.
TIFA Photographer of the Year
€3,000 cash prize and TIFA trophy
New Talent of the Year
€2,000 cash prize and TIFA trophy
First Place Category Winners Pro and Non-Pro
Advertising, Architecture, Book, Editorial, Events, Fine Art, Nature, People,Portfolio, Science
€200 cash prize each (Paypal or Amazon gift card) *One cash prize per entry only
First Place Main Category Winners Pro and Non Pro will enjoy extensive publicity throughout the year in addition to the following benefits:
– Work exhibited in Tokyo and beyond
– Work showcased on the main page of our website
– Feature winning images in the online gallery exhibition
– Press release and newsletter announcements to over 90,000 in TIFA Community
– Printable TIFA certificate of achievement
– Winner’s Logo to be used online and on printed materials
Other Winners & Honorable Mention
Winners will enjoy extensive publicity throughout the year in addition to the following benefits:
– Feature winning images in the online gallery exhibition
– Press release and newsletter announcements to over 90,000 in TIFA Community
– Printable TIFA certificate of achievement
– Winner’s Logo to be used online and on printed materials
WINNERS BENEFITS OVERVIEW
ELIGIBILITY
The TIFA competition is open to anyone aged 18 and over, regardless of where you live. Entries are judged within appropriate peer groups—professional photographers are evaluated alongside other professionals, while emerging and student photographers compete within their own category.
ENTRY FEES
Professional:
€30 per single image
€40 per series ( 2-9 images with the same theme)
30% off per additional category, if same entry is submitted to multiple categories
Non-professional:
€20 per single image
€25 per series (2-9 images with the same theme)
30% off per additional category, if same entry is submitted to multiple categories
Students:
€15 per single image
€20 per series (2-9 images with the same theme)
30% off per additional category, if same entry is submitted to multiple categories
Portfolio category: Entry fee for the Portfolio Category is €50
Please note that there are no further fees for winners services. The award, winners packages and publications are all free of charge.
DEADLINES
TIFA Awards 2025 is now closed for submissions.
We will announce the TIFA Awards 2026 submission deadline shortly.
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
Only digital submissions are permitted. Digital images should be in sRGB color format and saved as a JPG file with high compression. The image must have a minimum width of 1000 pixels on its shortest side, and should not exceed 4000 pixels on the longest side. The file size must be no larger than 4MB. When naming your file, use only letters from the English alphabet—do not include any special characters or spaces in the file name.
If you are submitting a series of images, submit them in order of importance, with the first image being the strongest or best in the set. One image is for the cover photo to identify the entry, and the remaining 9 are supporting images of the entry.
If your entry is in the Book category, you have the option to upload one PDF file of your complete book. The file size must not exceed 4MB.
You may enter the same photograph into as many categories as you see fit. You can also submit as many entries in as many categories as you like. All photographs should be no older than 5 years.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
TIFA is open to photographers from all over the world. We define Professional as individuals who earn the majority of their income from photography. Emerging and student photographers are also welcome and encouraged to submit their work.
USE AND OWNERSHIP OF IMAGES
Copyright and all other rights remain with the photographer. Any photograph used by TIFA shall always include the photographer’s credit line.
Winners will be announced 30-45 days after the final deadline.