THE BEST OF CHARLOTTE FILM PHOTOGRAPHY

ABOUT

The Best of Charlotte Film Photography is a small, community-focused competition created to celebrate the people and admire the work of those still shooting film in and around Charlotte. This isn’t about big industry hype. It’s about highlighting the real analog voices in our city.

THE DEETS

Our Vision
We want to:
• Bring Charlotte film photographers together
• Celebrate intentional, analog craft
• Create something tangible in a digital world
• Support local artists in a real way
Film slows us down. It makes us think. It connects us. This competition is about honoring that process and the people behind it.
Along with applicants photos being featured online and on social media, every applicant will have one image featured in a printed magazine — a physical, hold-it-in-your-hands collection of Charlotte’s film community. A snapshot of this moment in our city’s creative culture.
The Prizes – $1,000 Total Value
We’re keeping it simple:
• 1st Place – $600
• 2nd Place – $300
• 3rd Place – $100
Winners will be chosen by a small panel of judges who care deeply about photography and the analog process.
The Rules (Keeping It Honest)
Who Can Enter
• Open to photographers in or connected to the Charlotte area.
• All experience levels welcome — students, hobbyists, professionals.
Film Only
• Photos must be shot on film (35mm, 120, large format, etc).
• Any film stock is welcome.
• dust and color correction is okay.
• No digital manipulation, composites, or AI.
Submissions
• $25 submission fee for up to 3 images per photographer.
• Images must be from the last 5 years.
• You keep full rights to your work.
• By entering, you allow us to print one selected image in the official magazine and use it for promotion on social media and website (always credited).

WHY THIS MATTERS

In a world of instant uploads and endless scrolling, we’re choosing to slow things down.

We’re choosing film.

We’re choosing print.

We’re choosing community.

Whether you shoot street, portraits, landscapes, experimental, or something that doesn’t fit in a box — if it was shot on film and it tells a story, we want to see it.

Let’s build something tangible together.

This is THE BEST OF CHARLOTTE.

SUBMIT YOUR WORK