9 Iranian illustrators shortlisted for Nami Concours 2015

Tehran, Nov 18, IRNA – Nine Iranian illustrators have been chosen for Nami Concours 2015 Illustration Competition following the preliminary judging. The list entails 94 illustrators, selected from a total of 1,330 participants of 71 countries. Following South Korea, with 15 illustrators, Iran and Italy have been ranked as the second, the public relations department of Association of Iranian Illustrators announced on Tuesday. According to Nami Concours website, Iran almost holds a 20% share in the 56 Middle East participants. Reviewing the number of other region’s applicants to the announced shortlist reveals the high-quality of submitted Iranian works. The contest’s winner will receive a Grand Prix (Plaque and US$10,000), while two illustrators will bag the Golden Island prize (Plaque and US$5,000), three illustrators will get the Green Island award (Plaque and US$2,000) and 10 others will take the Purple Island prize (Certificate and plaque). Iranian illustrators Melika Saeeda, Yekta Jebeli, Nargess Mohammadi, Ali Dalvand, Reza Dalvand(with two works) Zahra Mohammad-nejhad, Ali Amekan, Hassan Amekan and Azar Teimouri are on the list. Nami Concours 2015 aims to encourage artists’ creativity and contribute to the advancement of the quality of picture book illustrations. It is organized biennially by Nami Island, the official sponsor of IBBY Hans Christian Andersen Awards. Shortlisted candidates who are selected in the preliminary judging should submit either originals or quality prints of the illustration works until 31 December 2014./end