The Sony World Pictures Awards has revealed the jury and exhibition dates for its nineteenth version, persevering with its mission to champion essentially the most compelling tales in up to date images.
Established in 2007, the Awards has grown into one of many world’s most prestigious platforms for photographers, offering unparalleled worldwide publicity and recognition. Entry to the Awards is free and photographers are judged anonymously by a panel of industry-leading specialists.
Final yr, Zed Nelson took house the Photographer of the Yr title, cementing his standing as one of many main voices in documentary images. His work, which you’ll examine in my interview with him, exemplifies the type of narrative and visible affect the Awards goal to rejoice.
For 2026, Monica Allende returns as Chair of the Jury for the Skilled Competitors and curator of the London exhibition at Somerset Home, marking her third yr within the position. She might be joined by a global panel of main images figures, bringing numerous views to the judging course of.
Becoming a member of Allende on the Skilled Competitors jury are Daniel Brena, director of the Centro de las Artes de San Agustín in Mexico; Yumi Goto, impartial curator, editor, researcher and writer from Japan; Zack Hatfield, managing editor of Aperture journal in america; Paul Ninson, founder and govt director of the Dikan Middle in Ghana; and Bindi Vora, artist and senior curator on the UK’s Autograph visible arts group.
The Open and Youth competitions might be judged by Ruby Rees-Sheridan, assistant curator of images on the Nationwide Portrait Gallery in London, whereas the Scholar competitors might be overseen by Tess Raimbeau, picture editor at Libération in France.
The Sony World Pictures Awards 2026 exhibition will as soon as once more happen at Somerset Home, London, from April 17 to Could 04 2026. It’s going to showcase a collection of profitable and shortlisted photos, alongside particular displays by final yr’s Photographer of the Yr, Zed Nelson, and this yr’s Excellent Contribution to Pictures recipient, to be introduced in November.
Following London the exhibition will tour internationally, together with spring displays in Tokyo and an ongoing Milan show till September 28. It’s going to then journey to Berlin, Germany, from October 16 2026 to January 18 2027.
The Awards opened for submissions in June this yr, with deadlines throughout the 4 competitions as follows: Skilled entries should be submitted by January 13 2026, Open and Youth submissions by January 06 2026, and Scholar entries by November 28 2025.
Winners will obtain digital imaging gear from Sony, whereas money prizes embrace $25,000 (round £18,300 / AU$37,500) for the Photographer of the Yr, $5,000 (£3,700 / AU$7,500) for the Open Photographer of the Yr and $5,000 for the Sustainability Prize. The Photographer of the Yr additionally receives a solo presentation within the following yr’s London exhibition.
With its historical past of showcasing the defining photos of up to date images, the Sony World Pictures Awards stay an important platform for photographers, from rising expertise to seasoned professionals, to share their imaginative and prescient with the world.
