Honouring Two Decades of Global Visual Storytelling
Marking a major milestone in contemporary arts, the Sony World Photography Awards has officially unveiled its jury panel and exhibition schedule for its landmark 20th edition. Over the past two decades, the awards have evolved into a definitive global benchmark for visual storytelling, spotlighting the dedication and artistic vision of photographers shaping international culture. Organized by Creo through its photography strand, the World Photography Organisation, and supported by Sony Middle East and Africa from its regional base in Dubai, the competition remains completely free to enter for photographers across the UAE and worldwide.
The flagship exhibition for the 2027 edition will open at Somerset House in London from 15 April to 3 May 2027. This prestigious cultural fixture will display winning and shortlisted imagery, alongside dedicated presentations celebrating Photographer of the Year 2026 Citlali Fabián and the 2027 Outstanding Contribution to Photography recipient. For regional visual artists currently traveling abroad, the 2026 exhibition is also touring internationally, with presentations running in Milan, Berlin, Matera, Bisceglie, and Johannesburg.
Following an exceptional 2026 season that saw more than 430,000 image submissions, the 2027 jury brings together leading curators, editors, and scholars from across the globe. Returning as Chair of the Jury for the Series competition and curator of the Somerset House exhibition is independent curator and photography consultant Monica Allende.
Joining Allende on the Series jury are prominent voices in the visual arts, including:
- Santiago Escobar-Jaramillo: Photographer, editor at Raya Editorial, and curator from Colombia.
- Peipei Han: Director of Exhibitions at Fotografiska Shanghai, China.
- Candice Jansen, PhD: Programme Manager of New Archival Visions at the University of the Western Cape, South Africa.
- Amanda Renshaw: Independent curator, art historian, and publishing consultant from the UK.
- Pauline Vermare: Phillip and Edith Leonian Curator of Photography at the Brooklyn Museum, USA.
The Single Image and Youth competitions will be chaired by Maja Dyrehauge Gregersen, Managing Director of the Copenhagen Photo Festival, while Menno Liauw, Founder and Director of the FUTURES Foundation, will lead the Student competition jury.
To offer greater clarity for practitioners with multi-faceted portfolios, the competition names have been updated: the Professional tier is now designated as the Series competition, while the Open tier is now the Single Image competition. Photographers can enter distinct projects into both competitions simultaneously, presenting both dedicated long-form bodies of work and standout individual captures.
The 2027 program expands its thematic scope by introducing two brand-new categories designed to foster fresh photographic dialogue:
- Histories (Series Competition): Invites photographers to explore how collective, cultural, or personal histories shape today’s world, welcoming projects that re-examine the past through contemporary lenses, archival interventions, or cultural traditions.
- Animal Portraits (Single Image Competition): Celebrates the character, expression, and spirit of the animal kingdom, spanning domestic companions, marine species, and wild biodiversity.
In addition to receiving premium digital imaging equipment from Sony, all category winners gain international exhibition exposure and publication in the annual awards book. The overall Photographer of the Year receives a cash prize of $25,000 alongside a dedicated solo presentation in London, while the Single Image winner and Sustainability Prize recipient each receive $5,000. Series category winners are also invited to London for Insights, an exclusive day of mentorship and tailored sessions with institutional and commercial art figures.
Submissions are currently open online via worldphoto.org, with the following official closing deadlines:
- Student Competition: 27 November 2026 (16:00 GMT)
- Youth Competition: 5 January 2027 (16:00 GMT)
- Single Image Competition: 5 January 2027 (16:00 GMT)
- Series Competition: 12 January 2027 (16:00 GMT)