The Prize Distribution Ceremony for the Hornbill International Photography Festival (HIPFEST) competition 2023 was held at Naga Heritage Village, Kisama on Saturday, DIPR informed. The competition was organised by Portrait Enterprise in association with the Department of Information & Public Relations and Department of Tourism on the theme “The Nature Canvas-Celebrating the Beauty of Nagaland”.
For the Individual Category, the 1st First Prize of Rs 40,000 was won by Pelevizo Meyase from Khonoma, the 2nd Second Prize of Rs 25,000 by Atam Wangsa from Mon and the 3rd Third Prize of Rs 15,000 by Duvo Ruho from Phek.
Rs. 10,000 each for Best Landscape was won by Morotsung Longchar, Best Portrait by Muchi Domeh and Best Wildlife by Limasunep.
The prizes were given away by the Director, Tourism, Keduosie-ü Metha in the presence of Director (Films) Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India, Armstrong Pame, IAS.
Director of Information & Public Relations, Dzüvinuo Theünuo in her short speech thanked the judges and Proprietor of Portrait Enterprise, Ababe Ezung for making the event a successful one. She said Hornbill International Photography Festival is being organized every year by the Department as part of the Hornbill festival. Theünuo stated that photography is an art and to keep the passion alive one has to keep on taking images.
Proprietor of Portrait Enterprise, Myingthungo Ababe Ezung stressed on the importance of up scaling the present HIPFEST to that of an international level in the coming edition. He thanked the participants and the Department for supporting the event and expressed optimism that many more participants will take part at the competition in the coming years. Altogether, 84 participants vied in the competition
The judging panel of the Hornbill International Photography Festival (HIPFEST) competition included Onenjungshi, Soumyajit Maitra and Kekhriezhazo Miachieo.
Onenjungshi is an enthusiastic wildlife photographer with over a decade of experience who received national recognition under the Federation of Indian Photography. His stunning works, showcased in various exhibitions, reflect a deep dedication to capturing the indigenous flora and fauna of Nagaland.
Soumyajit Maitra, is Deputy Manager at Nikon India Private Limited who boasts a remarkable 22-year journey in photography. Contributing to Nikon for 13 years, he has witnessed and shaped the evolution of photography from the film era to the dynamic digital age. His portfolio, a blend of innovation and artistic flair, showcases diverse range from awe-inspiring landscapes to impactful Nature History Conservation.
Award-winning photographer, Kekhriezhazo Miachieo is based in Kohima, Nagaland and has garnered recognition for his decade-long career. Starting as a photojournalist at Hindustan Times, New Delhi, he later focused on Human Interest and environmental portraits. Notable accolades include winning the FDCI and Wills Lifestyle Tokyo fashion show Photo competition in 2012, the ToTo Tasveer Young Photography Award in 2017, and the UnSung Photography grant in 2020.
