Siena Awards Festival

FESTIVAL UPDATE

Having taken into consideration the global crisis surrounding the COVID-19 virus, and the possibility of a second wave in autumn (as predicted by The World Health Organization), the Siena Awards Organisation, taking responsibility for the health and welfare of the visitors as well as the Sienese people, (in accordance with the measures imposed by the Italian health authorities and in agreement with the Municipality of Siena and our partners), has had to decide to cancel the 2020 Awards Ceremony and its related exhibitions which were scheduled to go on display from 24 October to 29 November 2020. With this 6th edition, both events have now become pivotal occasions for our SIPA family to come together and we are all going to miss these moments. So, for this reason, we have taken a lot of time trying to avoid canceling these awesome events which are the culmination of an entire year of effort. The announcement of the winners will go on as planned on 24 October 2020, 17:30 CEST, across our platforms. We are working hard behind the scenes in order to provide the winners the best exposure possible. We will continue monitoring the worldwide situation trying to find alternative dates for setting the exhibitions and personally handing all the winning photographers their prizes.

Festival

"Siena Awards" Festival represents an unmissable occasion for all the photography lovers who will arrive in Siena from all over the world. An entire month of Festival, during which many photography events will be organized: the “Imagine all the People Sharing all the World” exhibition with the most beautiful images presented at the contest Siena International Photo Awards, unique tours around Siena, post-production courses, workshops, conferences given by famous photographers and more exhibitions held by important international authors. An unforgettable experience realized and tailor-made for photography lovers, which will let you discover one of the most interesting places in the world, with wonderful events linked to photography. The Festival’s goal is to lace a cultural and international initiative to the name of Siena, a city of extraordinary inspiration for photographical research, beginning with the unique Festival which gives us the most intimate representation of the city: the Palio.

Siena Stories Workshop

The focus of the workshop is to develop a deeper understanding of visual storytelling through lectures and field practice while documenting the Tuscan city of Siena. Participants will learn how a National Geographic story is created from inception to publication, and they will work on expanding the basic tools used to translate stories of everyday life into compelling images that create dynamic visual narratives.

Photo © Randy Olson

Exhibitions

A fascinating journey will bring you into a world full of culture, where the visual art is expressed through different themes, all of high value. An invitation to look beyond the lens to be surprised by the beauty of faces and situations of everyday life, or by untouched natural environments “captured” by the authors, using their knowledge of the surroundings, their creativity, patience and story-telling skills with a camera. The exhibitions will be one of the Festival’s main events, hosted by the most important locations of Siena. Collective and personal exhibitions of internationally awarded artists together with the expositions: “Imagine all the People Sharing all the World” - a showcase of the Siena International Photo Award 2020 edition’s best shots; "Above us Only Sky" - a collection of the most beautiful images of the Done Photo Awards; and "I Wonder if You Can" - the most representative shots of the Creative Photo Awards. Breathtaking images and extraordinary reportages from around the world; the intimate expression of a way of communication through the lens. A unique moment, captured in one spectacular shot.

Events

If you love photography, all lenses will be turned towards Siena and its "Siena Awards" Festival in November. The event, a tribute to visual art, is organized and divided into personal and collective exhibitions, workshops, photo-tours, seminars, conferences, projections, guided tours on the spot and many other events like the Award Ceremony which will conclude in “grand style” the Siena International Photo Award’s 2020 Edition. We are talking about one of the most important international photography contest, with tens of thousands of images coming from 161 countries around the world. The Siena Awards will provide unique opportunities to deepen your photography skills thanks to the participation of important international photographers.

Tours

Siena is one of the richest areas of Italy in terms of natural and artistic beauty with four UNESCO world heritage sites. Nature here offers extraordinary beauty, in terms of vineyards, olive groves, forests and natural reserves dotted with castles, churches and medieval villages still intact. This extraordinary southern part of Tuscany offers famous hilly areas such as Chianti, well known for its excellent wines, villages, parishes, castles and precious vineyards; clay areas and moon-like landscapes with as the Crete Senesi, and only a few kilometers away we find the Val d’Orcia valleys covered with sunflowers, sheep strolling around and picturesque medieval villages such as Pienza and Montalcino where the Brunello wine is produced. In just 80 km you can visit magnificent territories renowned throughout the world.  During the "Siena Awards" Festival you will be guided into a journey that will be framed in your heart for a life time! Check out some of the photo tours available from October 23th 2020. The number of participants is limited. Register today!

Siena

One of the jewels of Tuscany, a worldwide tourist destination with over 2 million visitors per year, a unique territory which includes in its province four UNESCO World Heritage sites: Siena, Pienza, San Gimignano and the Val d'Orcia. In Siena you will find artworks by great masters such as Michelangelo, Donatello, Duccio, Jacopo della Quercia, Simone Martini, Ambrogio Lorenzetti. Siena is a destination known worldwide for its Middle Age history and monuments with breathtaking landscapes and numerous traditions: first of all the Palio.

Hospitality

If you are interested in visiting Siena during the period of the exhibition "Imagine all the People Sharing all the World", we offer attractive and affordable opportunities. You can make your bookings and reservations through all the facilities, services and amenities affiliated with "Siena Awards" thanks to a free gift voucher that will allow you to access to special fares and discounts reserved exclusively by all the facilities in Siena that support the event.

Gallery

You and SIPA, together, for one of the biggest and the most amazing photography events in the world. We are thrilled to meet you this October in Siena. Enthusiastic and honored to host such incredible participants as yourselves and to continue to grow our “Big Family”. This is the spirit of who WE ARE… Don’t miss it, it’s a must... We’re waiting for you… “BE THERE!!!”

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