Past Initiatives

Compilation of our past grants and winners.

Zontiga Photobook Grant 2022 (Closed)

The photobook is a way to present one body of work that encourages photography as a form of physical art. This grant aims to encourage the art of publishing and photobook making, by offering artists funding to complete the production of their photobook while offering artists a platform to present and sell their works.

View our Grant Awardee below!

Zontiga Photobook Grant 2022 Awardee

Zarif Ismail (‘Rekah Fajar’)

Zarif Ismail (@hmmdzarif) is a self-taught photographer born in Perak, Malaysia. His works reveal a variety of themes, from the silence of suburban areas to space and personal objectivity, as a response to current issues. He sees the need to document everything that he goes through in life and believes that all things are important.

‘Rekah Fajar’ (‘Rift of First Light’) is a compilation of B&W images from Zarif’s photographic journey; his adventure from childhood to adulthood and an attempt to retain past memories and record the moments ahead. In some photos, we see a variety of objects lying around, as if a mundane everyday scene; however, each photograph is carefully composed, influenced by the artist’s feelings on current issues, politics, and fine art. Zarif’s first photobook shows us the sweetness of still life and landscape photos.

Rekah Fajar was published in September 2023.

Click here to purchase the book!

Zontiga Photo Project Grant 2021 (Closed)

In order to promote photographic art creation and film as creative medium in the digital era, Zontiga is launching a call to help by offering sponsorships to those projects that need a little push to make it happen. The goal of the grant is to provide aid to projects with original ideas and quality that match the ones solely determined by Zontiga.
View our Grant Awardees below!

Antoine Loncle

Antoine Loncle is a Malaysian-French photographer working through expanded methods of documentary, as well as analog processes and materials. His work originates from investigations into his surroundings and his sense of self and personal/cultural identity. In 2016, he undertook his BA in Photography at PSC (Photography Studies College) Melbourne, Australia. Later on, he participated in the OBSCURA festival workshop run by Leonard Pongo, as well as developed a mentorship in 2018 with American photorapher Bryan Schumaat.

Antoine continues to work in Malaysia on his next long-term project alongside commissioned portraiture works.
Gallery Exhibition Homepage

Joy Chan

Joy Chan, is a Malaysian video artist who works among video art, documentary and installation. Graduated from CalArts Film and Video MFA program with her background of journalism, she dives into sociological observation and participatory events with film and video to confront perspectives. Her creative interest has been focusing on capturing and recreating the turbulence of time and space, explores the tangibility of image. Her works have shown at international festivals and galleries including LA Indie Short Fest, MOMA Beijing, Guangzhou International Documentary Film Festival, etc.
Gallery Exhibition Article Homepage