Sant'Ana Photography Festival Names Winners in Óbidos and Oriximiná
The first Sant'Ana Photography Festival concluded on Thursday, July 23rd, announcing the winners of its "Olhares para Sant’Ana" (Gazes for Sant'Ana) competition. The festival celebrated the cultural scene in Óbidos and Oriximiná, Pará, Brazil, drawing over 30 photographers who submitted more than 150 images. These photographs, taken on July 11th and 12th during the Sant'Ana festivities and Círio, captured the faith, culture, and essence of the traditional community celebration.
Participants competed in two categories: Smartphone and Professional Camera. In the Professional Camera category, Hevellyn Anna took first place with a R$2,500 prize, followed by Vander Andrade (R$1,000) and Thiago Moraes (R$500). For the Smartphone category, Ângelo Couto won first place with R$1,000, Elilson Santos secured second place with R$500, and Juan Araújo received R$250 for third.
The judging process involved a panel of experts—Adrio Denner, João Canto, and Mauro Pantoja—who selected the top five images per category. Their technical assessment accounted for 70% of the final score, with the remaining 30% determined by public online voting, which garnered over 1,250 votes. Beyond artistic recognition, the festival has a charitable aim: the winning works will be exhibited and auctioned at the 2026 Sant'Ana Festivity, with 100% of the proceeds supporting the Festivity's social projects. The festival was conceived by Dr. Beto Bentes and Mauro Nayan Gomes, with support from the Óbidos Diocese and the Festivity Coordination, aiming to foster photographic talent and preserve the cultural and religious heritage of the region.
This photography festival successfully merged artistic competition with community engagement and charitable fundraising, highlighting the cultural significance of the Sant'Ana festivities in Óbidos and Oriximiná. By incorporating both expert and public voting, the initiative democratized the selection process and amplified community involvement. The model of auctioning winning works for social causes demonstrates a sustainable approach to cultural preservation and community support. Looking ahead, such festivals can leverage digital platforms to expand reach and engagement, potentially creating a permanent digital archive of the region's cultural heritage for future generations, while also exploring partnerships with tourism bodies to further promote local identity and economic development.
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