Kara Efe Photography Contest
In late 2020, Advocates of Silenced Turkey (AST) launched the Kara Efe Photography Contest, a powerful initiative to shed light on the ongoing human rights violations in Turkey through the lens of photography.
The contest was dedicated to the memory of Ahmet Burhan Ataç, a 7-year-old boy who tragically lost his life after being denied permission to seek medical treatment abroad by the Turkish government. His story became a symbol of injustice and inspired this contest.
Artists and photographers were invited to capture images that framed the struggles, resilience, hope, heartbreak, and love of those facing oppression in Turkey—moments described as “an instant worth a century.”
The contest launched on December 1, 2020, submission ended March 1, 2021 and the winners announced & award ceremony organized on May 30, 2021.
Awards
1st Place – $1,000
2nd Place – $750
3rd Place – $500
10 Honorable Mentions – $100 each
10 Merit Awards – $50 each
The Kara Efe Photography Contest became a moving tribute to resilience, creativity, and justice—showing how a single frame can speak louder than words, carrying the weight of memory, struggle, and hope.
