A fresh platform emerges to celebrate and elevate the country's creative talent

Sri Lanka's creative landscape is about to get a major boost with the launch of the Phoenix Arts & Design (PAD) Awards 2025 – a creative competition designed to recognize and support talented designers, artists, and innovators across Sri Lanka and the region.

What is PAD Awards?

The PAD Awards is Phoenix Industries' latest initiative to create meaningful opportunities for Sri Lanka's creative community. Unlike traditional competitions, this platform focuses on practical recognition – connecting talented creators with real opportunities while celebrating their work on a national stage.

The competition aims to bridge the gap between creative talent and professional opportunities, offering participants not just recognition, but tangible support for their creative journeys.

Who Can Participate?

The PAD Awards welcomes creators at all levels – from emerging artists taking their first professional steps to established designers looking to showcase their latest work. Whether you're a student, freelancer, or working professional, if you're passionate about creative work, this competition is for you. The competition is open to participants from Sri Lanka and the broader region, making it a truly inclusive platform for creative expression.

Three Categories, Three Opportunities

The PAD Awards 2025 features three distinct categories, each designed to celebrate different aspects of creative work:

Shots for Life (Photography) Celebrating the art of visual storytelling through photography. This category welcomes all forms of photographic work – from documentary and portrait photography to artistic and original images.

Brands for Life (Graphic Design) Recognizing excellence in visual communication and brand design. Participants can showcase their skills in logo design, branding projects, digital graphics, and visual identity work.

Products for Life (Product Design) Honoring innovation in product development and design thinking. This category celebrates creators who solve real-world problems through thoughtful, user-centered design.

What's At Stake?

The PAD Awards 2025 offers substantial prizes that go beyond typical competition rewards. Winners will receive:

• International tour package
• MacBook for professional work
• iPad with Apple Pencil for creative projects
• Additional prizes and recognition opportunities
• Exclusive exhibition for the winners and finalists

These prizes reflect the competition's commitment to supporting winners’ continued creative development with tools and experiences that can genuinely impact their careers.

How to Get Involved

The submission period is now open, with entries being accepted until August 31st, 2025. This extended timeline gives creators ample opportunity to develop and refine their submissions.

Detailed submission guidelines, eligibility criteria, and entry requirements are available through Phoenix Industries' official channels {https://pad.phoenix.lk/apply}

Why This Matters

The PAD Awards 2025 represents more than just another competition – its part of a broader movement to strengthen Sri Lanka's creative economy. By providing a platform for recognition and practical support, the awards aim to help retain local talent while raising the profile of Sri Lankan creativity on a regional scale.

For many participants, this could be the opportunity that bridges their creative passion with professional success.

Looking Forward

As the first edition of what promises to become an annual tradition, the PAD Awards 2025 sets an important precedent for how the creative community can be supported and celebrated in Sri Lanka.

The stage is set for a new chapter in supporting creative talent – one that recognizes achievement while building pathways to professional success.