Entries open for “Wiki Loves Folklore” Global Media Contest

The Wikimedia Commons Wiki Loves Folklore Global Media Contest invites contributors worldwide to document folk culture through photographs, audio, and video. Prizes range from $50 to $500 across multiple categories, with submissions due by 31 March 2026 under free licenses such as CC BY-SA 4.0.

What is the Wiki Loves Folklore Contest?

The Wiki Loves Folklore Global Media Contest celebrates and documents the diverse folk cultures of communities around the world. It focuses on a broad range of cultural expressions, including folk festivals, dances, music, traditional games, cuisine, clothing, ballads, folktales, fairy tales, legends, seasonal celebrations, calendar customs, folk arts, folk religion, and mythology.

Who Can Participate?

The contest is open to:

• Contributors from anywhere in the world who hold copyright for their submitted media.

• Participants uploading original photographs, audio, or video to Wikimedia Commons.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Entries must be original and not previously uploaded to Wikimedia Commons.

• Contributors must have copyright ownership or permission for historical photographs.

• Media must be released under a free license or placed in the public domain (CC BY-SA 4.0 recommended).

• AI-generated media, watermarked images, pornographic content, or videos in unsupported formats are not accepted.

Prize Categories and Awards

Global Photography Excellence

• 1st Prize: $500

• 2nd Prize: $400

• 3rd Prize: $300

• Top 10 Noteworthy Contributions: $50 each

Multimedia Awards

• Best Video: $300

• Second Video Prize: $200

• Third Video Prize: $150

• Best Audio: $200

• Second & Third Audio Prizes: $150 each

Community Recognition

• Distinguished Heritage Documenter: $500, $300, $200 for top three

• Volunteer Organiser Excellence Award: $200, $150, $100

• Top 100 Uploaders: Postcards

• Local Organisers: Certificates and postcards

Regional Prizes

• Regions Covered: Middle East & North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, East & Southeast Asia & the Pacific, Latin America & the Caribbean, North America, Northern & Western Europe, Central & Eastern Europe & Central Asia

• Regional Winner: $125

• Runner-Up: $75

How to Participate

1. Create Original Media: Capture photos, videos, or audio representing folk culture. Historical photos can be submitted if you hold copyright.

2. Upload to Wikimedia Commons: All entries must be uploaded by 31 March 2026.

3. Apply Free License: Use CC BY-SA 4.0 or another free license, or place your media in the public domain.

4. Tag Submission: Apply the official contest template to each entry.

5. Enable Email Communication: Ensure you can be contacted if selected for a prize.

6. Follow Technical Requirements: Videos must be in OGG, OGV, or WEBM formats; images cannot have watermarks, timestamps, or embedded credits.

Why It Matters

The contest preserves and promotes cultural heritage globally, allowing communities to share their traditions with a worldwide audience. By documenting folk practices, participants contribute to Wikimedia Commons as a free knowledge resource and gain recognition for their creative work.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Submitting media already on Wikimedia Commons

• Including watermarks, timestamps, or embedded credits

• Using AI-generated content or pornographic material

• Uploading videos in unsupported formats

• Failing to apply the contest template or enable email communication

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Who can submit entries? Anyone worldwide who owns copyright for original photos, audio, or video.

2. What types of media are accepted? Photographs, audio, and video documenting folk culture.

3. What licenses are required? Media must be under a free license or public domain, preferably CC BY-SA 4.0.

4. Can historical photographs be submitted? Yes, if the contributor owns the copyright.

5. Are AI-generated submissions allowed? No, AI-generated content is prohibited.

6. What is the deadline for submissions? 31 March 2026.

7. How are prizes distributed? Prizes are awarded across global, multimedia, community, and regional categories as specified.

Conclusion

Wiki Loves Folklore 2026 provides a global platform for contributors to document and share folk culture through original media. Participants can gain recognition, contribute to Wikimedia Commons, and preserve cultural heritage for future generations while competing for monetary and community awards.