FOTM (Film of the Month) is a programme by Zontiga (The Next Level Sdn Bhd), designed to celebrate emerging talent, showcase the diversity of film photography, and foster a vibrant analog photography culture.

By submitting your photographs to FOTM 2026 for potential features on Instagram, and in online or offline FOTM-related publications, you acknowledge and agree to the following Conditions of Participation. These conditions form a binding agreement between you and Zontiga (The Next Level Sdn Bhd), based in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia.

1. Eligibility

• The FOTM programme is open to photographers of any nationality, including both amateur and professional photo-based artists.
• Submitted photographs must be original works captured by the participant. Plagiarised entries will be disqualified.
• Applicants under the age of 16 must include a signed consent form from a parent or legal guardian.

2. Submissions

• All entries must be submitted digitally via the FOTM submission form on the website.
• You may only submit your own work; submissions on behalf of others are not permitted.
• Each photographer may submit once per main case and once per monthly mini-challenge.
• Submissions must be film-based.

3. Photo Guidelines

• Submitted work must be captured on analog film.
• AI post-processing or digital-only creations are not permitted.
• Each submission should include a short reflection explaining the photographer’s process and interpretation of the case theme.
• All images must respect legal and ethical standards (see Content Restrictions below).

4. Publication & Use of Submitted Photographs

• If selected, you grant Zontiga (The Next Level Sdn Bhd) and its designated curators/editors the right to:
• Display and promote your photos in print, digital, and online media related to FOTM 2026.
• Feature your work across Zontiga and FOTM social media, websites, newsletters, and promotional materials.
• Use your name or, upon request, a pseudonym (artist name) for proper credit.
• Present your work alone or in combination with other photographs.

Please note: Publication is not guaranteed. You waive any claim to monetary compensation for such uses.

5. Responsibility and Rights

• You retain full copyright of your submitted work.
• You are fully responsible for ensuring you hold the rights to the images you submit.
• If third-party rights are involved (e.g., commissioned works), you must obtain the necessary permissions.
• Model releases must be acquired where applicable, especially for images featuring identifiable individuals.

6. Content Restrictions

• Submissions deemed exploitative, obscene, pornographic, or in violation of international law will be disqualified.
• For images featuring children or minors, written consent from the child (where possible) and the legal guardian should be obtained.

7. Usage Rights

By submitting, you agree that:

• Your work may be published in FOTM-related zines, books, and promotional materials.
• Zontiga may use your images for sales, marketing, educational, and publicity purposes across all media (catalogues, posters, postcards, websites, social media, and TV) for up to 3 years from the date of submission.
• All uses will include proper credit to the photographer.
• No monetary compensation will be provided for these uses.

8. Recognition & Rewards

• Participation in monthly mini-challenges, the main case, and use of all three Investigation Partner films may result in recognition and rewards.
• Rewards may include features on Instagram, curator notes, inclusion in the digital case archive, or creative-related credits.
• Rewards may evolve or vary between cases and are subject to change.

9. General Terms

• Participation in FOTM 2026 constitutes agreement to these terms.
• Zontiga reserves the right to update or modify these Terms & Conditions at any time. Updated terms will be clearly communicated.