MULTICULTURAL PHOTOGRAPHIC AWARDS SHORT LIST ANNOUNCED TODAY

Queenslanders are urged to get snappy and go online to vote for their favourite entry in the Queensland Multicultural Photographic Awards.

In announcing the short-listed entries today, Minister for Multicultural Affairs Lindy Nelson-Carr said the photographs would also be on display at the Queensland Multicultural Festival at Roma Street Parkland in Brisbane on Sunday.

Ms Nelson-Carr said the People’s Choice Award would be given to the most popular of the 20 entries.

“It’ll be hard to decide on a favourite because the entries are all of such a high standard,” she said.

“The short list was chosen by a panel of judges including professional newspaper photographers, academics and community leaders.”

More than $25,000 in cash and other prizes will be awarded.

First prize in the Open category is $15,000, first prize in the School Student category is $4000 and the winner of the People’s Choice Award will receive $1000 of photographic equipment.

Ms Nelson-Carr said the photographic awards were a creative way for Queenslanders to celebrate our state’s diversity.

“The photographic awards and the multicultural festival are Beattie Government strategies to showcase Queensland’s rich cultural diversity,” she said.

“We’re proud of our multicultural heritage and this is a great way to celebrate that.”

The deadline for voting for the People’s Choice award is 22 October. The winners will be announced at a ceremony in Brisbane in early November.

For more information and to vote for the People’s Choice Award visit

www.photographicawards.qld.gov.au

Media contact: Karla Steen 3336 8004 or Andie Gatti 3336 8002