Terms & Conditions

1. The Competition

Hidden Gems (working title; the competition may be announced under a different name) is a competition of ideas organized by Arts TV in collaboration with DW and afrimaxx ("the Organizers"). Participants submit up to three original photographs together with a written statement revealing one hidden gem of Ethiopia — a place, person, tradition, or story that deserves to be seen.

2. Eligibility

The competition is open to students currently enrolled in a high school, college, or university. Proof of enrollment (a scanned or photographed student ID) is required with every entry and is used solely to verify eligibility.

Participants under 18 must have the consent of a parent or legal guardian to take part.

Employees of the Organizers and their immediate families may not participate.

3. Entries

Each entry consists of one to three photographs and a written statement. Photographs must be original work created by the participant in Ethiopia. AI-generated imagery and heavily manipulated images are not eligible; entries are screened, including with AI-assisted analysis.

A participant may submit multiple entries. Each entry must express its own idea.

Entries must not contain unlawful, defamatory, or hateful content, must not violate the privacy or rights of third parties, and must be appropriate for public exhibition.

4. Judging

Entries are judged on the strength of the idea as expressed by the photographs and the written statement together. The decisions of the jury are final. Selected entries are revealed as a collective gallery at a public exhibition and across the Organizers’ channels.

5. Rights & Use

Participants retain copyright in their photographs. By entering, participants grant the Organizers a non-exclusive, worldwide license to reproduce, exhibit, publish, and promote submitted photographs and statements in connection with the competition — including the exhibition, broadcast, and social media — always with credit to the participant.

6. Personal Data

The personal information collected (name, school, field of study, interests, contact details, and student ID) is used only to administer the competition: verifying eligibility, contacting participants, and crediting exhibited work. Student IDs are never published and are accessible only to the editorial team.

7. General

Participation is free of charge. The Organizers may amend the competition schedule or these terms where necessary, and may disqualify entries that violate them. These terms are governed by the laws of Ethiopia.