The Office of Culture of the Consell de Formentera reports that the Beni Trutmann Photo Competition is now accepting submissions. Participants have until 12 April to hand or send in their snapshots.

Formentera's banner photographic event turns twenty this year, and to commemorate it, Vanessa Parellada, culture councillor, encouraged both islanders and participants from the previous two decades to attend the awards ceremony and exhibition opening on 2 May – a day she cast as "milestone event for lovers of local photography."

This competition pays tribute to Beni Trutmann, an extraordinary Swiss photographer who loved Formentera. He called the island home for 44 years, leaving more than 30,000 photographs that speak to Trutmann's love for the island and its nature. Urging islanders and visitors alike to participate, Councillor Parellada explained that "to spotlight a commitment to preservation, this contest pushes the many faces of Formentera –treasures of natural beauty, wildlife, vegetation, culture, heritage and human interaction– to the fore."

Colour, black and white and social justice
In the categories of colour, black and white and now familiar social justice, or foto denúncia, participants may submit up to three photographs. Prints may be square, digital, classic format or panoramic and will be eligible for the first, second and third prizes (€500, €300 and €200, respectively) in each category.

Submissions in these first three categories will be accepted in person at the Citizen Information Office (OAC) or by certified and/or administrative mail addressed to the Consell Insular de Formentera (Plaça de la Constitució, 1, 07860 Sant Francesc, Formentera) until 12 April 2023.

Junior category
This popular category is for young people between the ages of 12 and 18, who can participate via e-mail (concursfoto@conselldeformentera.cat), sending a maximum of three images, until 12 April. The first prize winner in this category will receive a compact digital camera, the second a digital instant camera and the third a sports camera.

The winning photographs will be incorporated into the Formentera Image and Sound Archive (Arxiu d'Imatge i So) and remain in possession of the Consell Insular de Formentera, which may use them for non-profit purposes in any form it deems appropriate (posters, graphics, Internet, etc.).

History
In twenty years, the competition has amassed a photographic treasure trove, with approximately 1,300 photographs in the archives and some 350 photographers participating. As the contest has grown, submissions have flowed in from various corners of mainland Spain and even other European countries.

Exhibition and awards ceremony
The contest will culminate with an exhibition of selected photographs that will be displayed in the Sala d'Exposicions "Ajuntament Vell" from Tuesday 2 May, when winners will receive their prizes. The exhibition will be on view until 13 May. For more information, consult the contest rules on the Consell de Formentera website.

28 February 2023
Office of Communication
Consell de Formentera