Asia Cat Expo 2026
Photography Competition: Cats at Play
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Cat Photography Competition
Theme
Cats at Play
Capture your cat in motion — chasing toys, mid-air pounces, or caught in a burst of energy. Celebrate the playful spirit and personality through lively, spontaneous shots.
Canon Masterclass: Cats in Motion
Join our hands-on photography workshop where you’ll learn how to capture dynamic moments of your cat using Canon equipment, with practical tips and live shooting experience tied to the Asia Cat Expo 2026 Cat Photography Competition.
Workshop Details
Venue: Pico Creative Centre, Event Hall 1
20 Kallang Avenue, Singapore 339411
Date: 17 May 2026, Sunday
Time: 3pm – 6pm
Max Capacity: 20 Participants and 10 Cats
Ticket Format
1 Participant + 1 Cat
Optional add-on: +1 companion (same booking only)
Thank you for your participation!
Official Imaging Partner
This year’s competition is proudly supported by Canon, a global leader in imaging and visual storytelling.
With a wide range of high-quality cameras and lenses, Canon empowers pet lovers to capture every meaningful moment, from quiet companionship to playful energy, in both photo and video. Guided by its kyosei philosophy that focuses on living and working together for the common good, Canon is delighted to be a part of the pet community to celebrate our love for cats through visual imagery.
Look out for Canon-led workshops and content features leading up to Asia Cat Expo!
Registration & Fees
Open to all photographers – amateurs and professionals, with no age limit.
Each participant may submit more than one entry.
- Submission fee: $5 per entry
- Each entry must include:
- 1 photo
- File format: JPEG (.jpg) only
- File size: Maximum 10MB
- Minimum resolution: 3000 x 2000 pixels
- Image quality: Must be clear, sharp, and not pixelated or compressed
- Title of the photo
- Caption (max 150 words) sharing the story behind the photo
- 1 photo
Submission Deadline: 6 June 2026
Meet our Judges
Masayuki Oki
A cat photographer based in Japan, Masayuki has been capturing the lives of outdoor cats since 2014. His work explores feline expressions, emotions, and relationships, offering a window into the inner world of cats. He has built a loyal following of over 820,000 Instagram followers as of June 2026.
Jayden Tan
Jayden Tan is a Singapore-based photographer and creative director with over a decade of experience in commercial, editorial, and portrait photography. Known for his natural, cinematic, and emotive storytelling, his sharp attention to detail translates perfectly into the unpredictable world of animal photography. As a devoted “cat slave” himself, Jayden combines his professional expertise with a deep understanding of feline behavior to capture authentic, personality-driven images.
Daryl Chia
Judging Process & Criteria
Each judge will shortlist their Top 15 photos and assign a score from 15 (1st place) to 1 (15th place).
Scores will be combined and weighted out of 45 to determine the Top 15 finalists. Finalist photos will be featured in a photo gallery at Asia Cat Expo 2026, where the Top 5 winners will be selected through final judging on-site.
- Composition & Framing
- Story & Impact
- Creativity & Originality
- Relevance to Theme
- Technical Quality
- Timing & Moment
People’s Choice Award
All qualifying submissions will be posted on Instagram after submissions are closed.
The top 10 most liked submissions will be selected for display at the gallery, where visitors can cast their votes during the exhibition. The winner will be announced onsite during the event alongside the Top 5 Winners.
Prizes & Awards
Competition Schedule
| Date | Activity |
|---|---|
| 29 April 2026 | Submissions Open |
| 6 June 2026 | Submission Deadline |
| 10 June 2026 | People's Choice Award Voting Open |
| 15 June 2026 |
People's Choice Award Voting Close
Top 15 Finalists Announcement |
| 27 & 28 June 2026 |
Photo Gallery Showcase at Asia Cat Expo 2026
People's Choice Award Onsite Voting |
| 28 June 2026 | Live Judging & Prize Presentation |
Why Join?
Gain exposure to thousands of cat lovers and creatives across Singapore and beyond
Win high-value gear that elevates your photography journey
Have your work celebrated on a national stage, both online and in person
Connect with a community that loves cats and storytelling through images
Hall of Fame - Past Winners
Entry Rules & Submission Guidelines
Terms and Conditions for Photography Competition:
1. Eligibility
a. The competition is open to all professional and amateur photographers/filmmakers, regardless of age, gender, or nationality.
b. If you are under the age of 18, you must obtain parental consent before entering. Any entrants under the age of 18 will be deemed to have obtained parental consent before entering.
2. Entry Submission
a. Submissions must be made before the 6 June 2026 deadline.
b. Each participant may submit more than one entry.
c. Submissions must be captured using any device capable of photography, including but not limited to DSLR cameras, mirrorless cameras, film cameras, or smartphones.
d. Works that have been processed using camera apps, editing software, or mobile tools are allowed. However, digital alterations that significantly change the natural appearance of the image are not allowed. Only minor edits such as colour correction, basic filters, and sharpening are allowed.
e. Works that are stock images, AI-generated image or contain watermarks are not allowed.
f. All entries must be original works that have not been published for commercial purposes, and the entrant owns all copyrights.
g. Works that have won awards in other competitions in the past or which are currently entered in other competitions, including similar works, are not eligible. Works that are submitted to another competition after submission to this competition will be deemed to be works currently entered in another competition.
h. If the Organizer determines that an entry violates the entry guidelines, the entry will be invalid. No notice of the entry’s invalidity will be given.
i. Top 15 finalists may be asked to submit additional image files at higher resolutions for the creation of printed materials, exhibition, or other purposes in connection with this competition.
3. Intellectual Property
a. The entrant must own the rights to any copyrighted material or must have obtained prior consent to use them from the right holder.
b. The entrant will retain all applicable rights to the final work.
c. By submitting an entry, entrants grant the Organizer and its affiliates the perpetual, non-exclusive right to use submitted and winning works for the purposes of:
- Promoting the competition
- Showcasing entries on official websites, social media, exhibitions, or marketing materials and sharing through digital platforms
- Publication does not guarantee winning, and no additional compensation will be provided for promotional use.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Asia Cat Expo Photography Competition is a themed contest celebrating the unique charm of cats through the lens. Open to photographers of all levels, the competition offers a platform to showcase storytelling through feline-focused imagery. Selected finalists will have their work exhibited at Asia Cat Expo 2026, with winners announced live onstage during the event.
Anyone! The competition is open to all photographers – amateurs and professionals – regardless of age or nationality. If you are under 18, parental consent is required.
Entry submission and preliminary judging will take place online.
Finalist exhibition will take place at Asia Cat Expo 2026, happening on 27-28 June 2026 at Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre, Halls 403, 404, 405 & 406.
Final judging and award announcements will take place onsite on 28 June 2026.
Yes. The fee is SGD $5 per photo submission. Each participant may submit more than one entry.
Each entry must include:
- 1 photo
- File format: JPEG (.jpg) only
- File size: Maximum 10MB
- Minimum resolution: 3000 x 2000 pixels
- Image quality: Must be clear, sharp, and not pixelated or compressed
- Title of the photo
- Caption (max 150 words) sharing the story behind the photo
Submissions must be captured using any device capable of photography, including but not limited to DSLR cameras, mirrorless cameras, film cameras, or smartphones.
Only minor edits are allowed — such as colour correction, sharpening, or applying basic filters.
Excessive digital manipulation or compositing is not permitted. AI-generated images, stock photos, and images with watermarks will be disqualified.
Yes, but the main focus of the photo must be a cat(s). Photos can include minimal human elements (such as a hand or torso), or even another animal, as long as cats remains the clear focal point of the image.
We encourage participants to keep non-cat elements minimal, so the focus remains on the cat’s movement, playfulness, and personality.
No. Entries must be original, unpublished, and not submitted to any other competitions, past or present.
Finalists will be notified via email and have their selected photo displayed at the photo gallery at Asia Cat Expo 2026. Final judging will take place on-site. Finalists who wish to attend the judging and awards ceremony will need to purchase an event ticket for entry.
If you are unable to attend and are selected as one of the Top 5 winners, the prizes will be sent to you after the event. Finalists present during the prize presentation will receive their prizes on-site.
You can reach us at our contact us page here.
