The Contest is open to any individual who is an artist creating digital images, eighteen (18) years of age or older, regardless of where they reside or are domiciled. Excluded from the Contest are the judges currently serving in the contest, employees, agents and representatives of the Organizer, companies affiliated with the Organizer, suppliers of prizes, services or materials related to the Contest, and any other party directly involved in the holding of the Contest, as well as members of their immediate family (brothers, sisters, children, father and mother), their legal or common-law spouses, and all persons with whom these employees, agents, and representatives are domiciled.

Open to artists creating digital images:

• 18 years old and older
• Territory: Worldwide
• Regular fee: $15/single image (plus tax if applicable) USD

Entry fees. In order to participate in the Contest, the Participant must pay an entry fee of $15 per image (plus tax, where applicable). The entry fee is in US currency and is non-refundable. The entry fee indicated above is the one in effect for the 2024 edition of the Contest. The Organizer reserves the right to increase the entry fee for any subsequent edition of the Contest.

Payment methods. Accepted payment methods are credit card (Visa or Mastercard) or PayPal. The Participant agrees that the Organizer may use third-party payment providers to process the payment of the entry fee in connection with the Contest. The third-party payment providers will handle the Participant’s financial information in accordance with their privacy policy. You agree that in no event will the Organizer be liable for the actions or inaction of the third-party payment providers processing the entry fee in connection with the Contest, including but not limited to system downtime or payment service failures.

Image Submission. The Participant may submit an unlimited number of digital images.

The Participant must upload and submit their images at the time of registration for the Contest, through their account. Once the Participant’s images have been submitted, an email confirming receipt of the images will be sent to the Participant within one business day, to the email address registered in their account. The images submitted must comply with these participation rules. Sending the email confirming receipt of the Participant’s images does not constitute confirmation that the images submitted comply with these participation rules.

Categories. Details of the Digital Image Category are set out in Annex A of these participation rules.

Deadline. The deadline for submitting an image is February 28, 2025.

Entries must be submitted in the deadline date of midnight Canada eastern time

Each image submitted in the context of the Contest must comply with the conditions set out below:

1. The image must not contain a watermark, logo, signature, or any other form of identification;
2. The image must have a title; the same name must be used on the image and on the form (choose a name that represents the storytelling of your images);
3. The image can be submitted with or without a frame;
4. The colour profile of the image is: Adobe RGB1998 or other;
5. The image can be in colour or in black and white;
6. The format of the image is: jpg;
7. The compression of the image is: 10-12;
8. The maximum size of images submitted per major category is less than 10 MB;
9. You can submit your images in vertical or horizontal orientation with minimum sizes of 1000 pixels. Send your questions to info@umencia.com if you are not sure;
10. The image must have been created by the Participant.
11. The image must not infringe on the rights of third parties or damage the reputation of any person or constitute defamation;
12. The image must not contain obscene or immoral material;
13. The Participant must ensure that the AI tools or software used to create the image do not infringe on any copyrights or intellectual property rights;

If an image does not comply with one or more of the above conditions, the Organizer may contact the Participant to inform them of the image’s non-compliance and allow the Participant to submit a new image within the time period indicated by the Organizer. If it is impossible or unreasonable for the Organizer to contact the Participant or if the Participant does not submit a new image within the time limit indicated, the image initially submitted by the Participant will automatically be excluded from the Contest.

The image must be created primarily or entirely using artificial intelligence (AI), digital technologies, 3D modeling, editing software, or CGI. In the case of using generative AI, the image may be created or modified using textual descriptions provided by the Participant.

For example:

•         Surreal Landscapes: Works created using AI, 3D modeling, or CGI that depict dreamlike or otherworldly landscapes, blending natural elements with fantastical features such as floating islands, impossible architectures, and vivid, unnatural colors.
•         Conceptual Abstractions: Artistic interpretations of abstract concepts such as emotions, thoughts, or philosophical ideas, using AI, 3D modeling, or editing software to generate visuals that represent complex and intangible themes in unique and thought-provoking ways.
•         Cultural Fusion Art: Works that blend elements from different cultures and traditions, created using AI, digital technologies, or CGI, creating a fusion of styles, motifs, and symbols to produce visually captivating and culturally rich artworks.
•         Futuristic Visions: Imagery depicting futuristic or sci-fi scenarios, including advanced cities, cyberpunk environments, and speculative technologies, created using AI, 3D modeling, or CGI, showcasing the potential future of human civilization.
•         Mythical Creatures and Gods: Representations of mythical creatures, deities, and legendary figures from various mythologies, created using AI, 3D modeling, or CGI, reimagined with a modern or fantastical twist, bringing ancient stories to life in new and imaginative ways.
•        Virtual Portraits: Portraits of virtual characters or avatars exploring identity in the digital age, created using AI, digital technologies, or editing software, combining human features with digital aesthetics, cybernetic enhancements, or virtual reality elements to create unique and futuristic representations of individuals.

Judges. Winners will be selected by a panel of 5-10 judges chosen by the Organizer. The judges are professionals in the digital art. The judges will determine the winners in accordance with the criteria set forth in these participation rules.

Criteria. All images will be judged in both vertical and horizontal modes as submitted by the Participant. Each image submitted will be judged according to the following criteria:

1. Technique (shape, line, texture)
2. Creativity (artistic addition)
3. Composition (framing, balance, depth)
4. Light (sensitivity, aperture)
5. Story (tell the story you want to project)

Score.

Participation (digital certificate / ribbons of the participant)

Accepted (digital certificate / ribbons of the participant)

Honorable Mention (digital certificate / ribbons of the participant)

Merit (digital certificate / ribbons of the participant, possibilities of medal and/or trophy)

Excellence (digital certificate / ribbons of the participant, possibilities of medal and/or trophy)

Prestige (digital certificate / ribbons of the participant, possibilities of medal and/or trophy)

Honor (digital certificate / ribbons of the participant, possibilities of medal and/or trophy)

Once the judges have evaluated all the images submitted by the Contest Participants, the following bonuses will be awarded:

1. The judges will select one favourite image per major category, awarding a 5-point bonus for that image;
2. For each trophy won by a Participant, as detailed in Annex A, a bonus of 10 points per trophy will be awarded to the Participant.

Winners. Winners will be determined by the judges based on the criteria and scoring system outlined above. The judges reserve the right to name more than one winner per major category. The Organizer reserves the right to disqualify a winner in the event that the reputation of the Organizer and the Contest may be damaged, without refund of the entry fee.

Nominations and announcement. At the end of a reference period associated with a major category, the Organizer will proceed to nominate potential winners by the categories of winners indicated in these participation rules. The name and image of each nominated Participant will be posted on the Organizer’s website. The announcement of the winners and the awarding of prizes will take place at an award ceremony. The award ceremony will be held at the end of the Contest, on a date to be determined by the Organizer. The ceremony will be held in hybrid mode (i.e., virtual and in-person at a location determined by the Organizer). The cost of attending the award ceremony is the responsibility of the Participant. All Contest Participants will be invited to the award ceremony.

Participation. Any Participant who has respected these participation rules and the terms of use of the website will receive a digital or printed participation ribbon.

Winner Categories and Prizes. The categories of winners and the prizes to which the winners are entitled are set out in Annex A of these participation rules.

Prize Delivery. Monetary prizes will be delivered electronically via PayPal in US currency or converted into the currency of the winner’s country.

Acceptance of the Prize. All prizes must be accepted as awarded and cannot be substituted or exchanged in whole or in part for cash.

Taxes, Customs, and Shipping. All prizes such as trophies and medals that need to be shipped will be the responsibility of the Participant. The Participant will be required to pay all applicable fees (taxes, customs, shipping) before shipping. Certificates, ribbons, and seals will be sent by email.

Refusal of the Prize. A Participant’s refusal to accept a prize in accordance with the terms and conditions of these participation rules releases the Organizer from any obligation related to this prize towards this Participant.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

Participant’s Rights. The Participant remains the exclusive owner of the copyrights in the images they have submitted in the Contest.

License. By submitting their images to the Organizer in the context of the Contest, the Participant grants the Organizer a non-exclusive, perpetual, irrevocable, worldwide, royalty-free license, with the right to grant sublicenses, allowing the Organizer to:

1. Administer the Contest, including sharing the Participant’s images with the judges to determine the winners;
2. Reproduce the Participant’s images on its social media, website, promotional materials, and publications concerning the Organizer, regardless of their format;
3. Present the Participant’s images in public, for example, in an exhibition;
4. Reproduce the Participant’s images in a souvenir book and commercialize such a souvenir book; and
5. Reproduce the Participant’s images in the context of a quarterly review by the Organizer on its website and platforms.

Moral Rights. Although the Organizer is committed to the integrity of the Participant’s images submitted for the Contest, the Participant acknowledges and accepts that certain characteristics of their images may be altered or modified at the time of reproduction of the images. For example, variations in colour may occur when the images are printed in the Organizer’s souvenir book. The format of the images could also be modified to adapt it to the material in which the images will be reproduced.

Credit. The Organizer agrees to mention the name and credit of the Participant when using the Participant’s images in accordance with the license contained in these participation rules. The Organizer will use its best efforts to notify any third party to whom it grants a sublicense in the images of the nature and extent of this credit. Any accidental or unintentional failure to comply with this paragraph will not be considered a material breach of the Organizer’s obligations under these participation rules if the Organizer proves that it has given the third party notice of such obligations. The Organizer will use its best efforts to correct and rectify the situation.

Third-Party Rights. By submitting their images to the Organizer for the Contest, the Participant represents and warrants to the Organizer that the images are free of any third-party rights, including copyrights in pre-existing materials such as 3D models, textures, or other digital assets. Participants must ensure compliance with copyright laws and obtain any necessary authorizations or waivers from third parties. This includes providing adequate attribution when required by the license of any borrowed asset. Additionally, Participants must comply with the software licenses and AI models licenses used in the creation of their images. The Organizer reserves the right to request written proof of any such third-party authorization, waiver, or evidence of compliance with licensing terms. Failure of a Participant to provide any such proof within the time period provided by the Organizer will result in automatic disqualification from the Contest, without refund of the entry fee.

Originality and Authenticity: Participants must ensure that the images they submit are original creations and have not been replicated or closely imitated from other works. The Participant agrees to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless the Organizer, its licensees, and any third party to whom the Organizer grants a sublicense, as well as their respective officers, employees, partners, consultants, agents, suppliers, and representatives, from any and all liability, damages, costs, and expenses arising from or related to any claim of copyright infringement or other intellectual property rights violations related to the submitted images.

Prohibited Practices. The Participant agrees not to submit images that have not been generated or enhanced using AI tools or software, digital technologies, 3D modeling, editing software, or CGI. These prohibited practices include submitting images created entirely through traditional photography or other methods without significant use of AI, digital technologies, 3D modeling, editing software, or CGI.

In the event of a violation of any of these sections, any prizes won by the Participant will be forfeited. The Organizer may exclude the Participant from all future contests and may pursue all remedies to enforce its rights. In addition, the Organizer reserves the right to assess a penalty of $5,000.00 CAD for each breach of these obligations.

PERSONAL INFORMATION

Personality Rights: If the submitted images contain recognizable persons, the Participant must ensure that they have obtained proper consent from those individuals. Proof of such consent may be requested by the Organizer.

Data Privacy: The privacy of the Participant and the protection of the Participant’s personal information submitted in connection with the Contest is important to the Organizer. The Organizer is committed to respecting the privacy of any Participant and will treat personal information provided by a Participant in connection with the Contest in accordance with its privacy policy, which can be found at https://umencia.com/privacy-policy-2/?lang=en.

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

IN NO EVENT SHALL THE ORGANIZER, ITS LICENSEES, AS WELL AS ANY THIRD PARTY WITH WHOM THE ORGANIZER ASSOCIATES ITSELF FROM TIME TO TIME OR TO WHOM THE ORGANIZER GRANTS A SUBLICENSE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THESE PARTICIPATION RULES, AS WELL AS THEIR RESPECTIVE OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, PARTNERS, CONSULTANTS, AGENTS, SUPPLIERS, AND REPRESENTATIVES, BE HELD LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES RESULTING, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, FROM THE MALFUNCTION OF ANY COMPUTER COMPONENT, SOFTWARE, OR COMMUNICATION LINE IN CONNECTION WITH ANY FAILED, INCOMPLETE, INCOMPREHENSIBLE, OR ERASED TRANSMISSION THROUGH ANY COMPUTER OR NETWORK, AND WHICH MAY LIMIT THE POSSIBILITY OR PREVENT ANY PERSON FROM PARTICIPATING IN THE CONTEST, AS WELL AS THE COMPUTER SUPPLIERS OF THE ORGANIZER IN RELATION TO THE CONTEST, THE DOWNLOADING OF ANY WEB PAGE, SOFTWARE, OR FORM, AND THE TRANSMISSION OF ANY INFORMATION RELATED TO THE CONTEST OR THE PARTICIPATION OR ATTEMPTED PARTICIPATION IN THE CONTEST, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF PROFITS, USE OF DATA, OR OTHER INTANGIBLE DAMAGES, EVEN IF THE ORGANIZER AND ANY THIRD PARTY WITH WHOM THE ORGANIZER ASSOCIATES ITSELF FROM TIME TO TIME OR TO WHOM THE ORGANIZER GRANTS A SUBLICENSE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THESE PARTICIPATION RULES, AS WELL AS THEIR RESPECTIVE OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, PARTNERS, CONSULTANTS, AGENTS, SUPPLIERS, AND REPRESENTATIVES, HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

IN SOME CASES, APPLICABLE LAWS MAY NOT PERMIT THE ABOVE LIMITATION OF LIABILITY, IN WHICH CASE THIS LIMITATION OF LIABILITY WILL APPLY ONLY TO THE FULL EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Authorization. By entering the Contest, the Participant authorizes the Organizer and any third party to whom the Organizer grants a sublicense to use, if required, their name, photograph (Participant’s profile picture/portrait) submitted in the context of the Contest, image, likeness, biographical information, prize statement, country and city of residence, and voice, without any form of compensation, at the Organizer’s discretion and without limitation as to the period of use, in any media and on a worldwide basis, for publicity purposes or for any other purpose deemed appropriate.

Modification. The Organizer reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to cancel, modify, or suspend this Contest in whole or in part in the event of an incident, error, or human intervention that corrupts or affects the administration or operation of the Contest. The Organizer will notify each Participant in writing, at the email address associated with the Participant’s account, of any such incident and of the measures that the Organizer intends to put in place, including the refund of the entry fee in the event that the Contest is cancelled or materially altered such that the Participant wishes to withdraw their entry.

Indemnification. The Participant agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Organizer, its licensees, and any third party with whom the Organizer associates itself from time to time or to whom the Organizer grants a sublicense in accordance with these participation rules, as well as their respective officers, employees, partners, consultants, agents, suppliers, and representatives, from any and all liability that they may incur as a result, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, of any false or misleading statements, warranties, or representations made by the Participant or as a result of any breach by the Participant of these participation rules or the terms of use of the website.

Indivisibility. If any provision of these participation rules should be declared illegal or invalid in any jurisdiction, such illegality or invalidity shall not affect the legality or validity of the remaining provisions of these participation rules in that jurisdiction, and these participation rules as a whole shall remain valid and fully enforceable in any other jurisdiction.

Waiver. No failure or delay by the Organizer to exercise any right under these participation rules will be deemed a waiver of such right and will not preclude any subsequent exercise of such right. No waiver of any default will constitute a waiver of any subsequent default.

Gender. In these participation rules, the neutral masculine gender is used without discrimination for the sole purpose of lightening the text.

Governing law and jurisdiction. These participation rules are subject to the provincial and federal laws applicable in the Province of Quebec and shall be interpreted, enforced, and applied in accordance with such laws. The Participant and the Organizer agree that the courts of the judicial district of Montreal shall have exclusive jurisdiction over any dispute arising from these participation rules.

Communication with the Organizer. For any questions or requests relating to these participation rules, the Participant may contact the Organizer at the address below:

Umencia Art Photo Inc.

Address:
418 chemin des Frênes, local 101
Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Québec
Canada, J2Y 1J1

Phone: 514-400-7424

Email: info@umencia.com

ANNEX A – AWARD: INTERNATIONAL DIGITALLY CREATED IMAGES ARTIST OF THE YEAR

Who: The Participant who has accumulated the highest number of points in the Digital Image category.

Image Points
Loan Collection Point
Trophy Point

Grand Prize in Cash: $500

Secondary Prizes and Mentions: Trophy | Social media publication | Publication in the annual book | Digital Ribbon | Digital Certificate | Digital Seal