The Aussie Kids Photo Festival is a unique event that recognizes, encourages and rewards the early creative expression of children's photographic talents.
The Festival directors, Scott Hillier and Julia Vargiu, have both been surprised and impressed by the results when they've let their respective toddlers loose with the camera. In a society where kids are increasingly seeking virtual versus real life involvement, Hillier and Vargiu have come to the conclusion that photography can help to get kids off the couch and away from the TV or games console.
Photos capture memorable, once-in-a-lifetime moments and by putting cameras in the hands of our children we have the opportunity to see life from their perspective. The family album truly becomes the family album due to the inclusion of precious images created by our children in their formative years.
Every child thinks, feels and sees the world in their own unique way and through participation in the Aussie Kids Photo Festival their imaginative expression can now be both preserved and shared for the enjoyment of everyone in the community. Funds raised from our partners are being donated to UNICEF Australia. UNICEF, the United Nations Children's Fund, is the world's leading advocate for children. UNICEF works on behalf of children to build a world where the rights of every child are realised, without regard to race or religion.
This is a fun, family-orientated initiative focused on early childhood creative development and sharing a kids' view-of-life through the lens of a camera!
This year there are two age group categories:
The Child category is open to kids aged between 3 and 7 years of age.
The Youth category is open to kids aged between 8 and 12 years of age.
LOU NEDANOVSKI, one of the entrant's Dads wrote:
"This is an incredible opportunity for young children to express themselves in a creative form at such a young age. Photography is an art form that is instant and accessible to all. Seeing the world from a child's perspective is insightful and refreshing. The Aussie Kids Photographic Festival is the first of its kind and is one of the most inspirational events that I have come across. Not only is this nurturing young Australian creativity but it's also making them aware of others that are less fortunate than themselves."
