Sony World Photography Awards 2008
London, UK, Feb. 15, 2008.
The inaugural World Photography Awards, sponsored by Sony, is proud to announce the shortlist nominations spanning across eleven categories. From a total of 25,934 amateur photograph entries and 44,641 professional photograph entries, the selected nominations have unearthed the images of today from an overwhelming number of submissions in its first year.
The shortlist has been selected by the World Photographic Academy, a judging panel of over one hundred of the industry´s elite. Each member has judged the categories relevant to their field of expertise, ranging from architecture to science, music to photojournalism.
Through a points based judging system, 10 professional and seven amateur photographers have been shortlisted in each category; this shortlist number increasing in some cases where there was a tie.
The Honorary Board will then go on to choose the category winners as well as the overall amateur and professional winners, all of which will be announced in April.
The Awards will be celebrated in Cannes, France from 21st to 25th April 2008 with a series of events and photographic exhibitions, culminating in a VIP Gala Evening and Awards Presentation on 24th April.
The I´iris d´or will be awarded to the overall winner, who will gain the title of Sony World Photography Awards Photographer of the Year and be awarded $25,000.
The winning amateur photographer will receive a $5,000 cash prize as well as the title of Sony World Photography Awards Amateur Photographer of the Year.
In addition, Saatchi Online will make a selection of 100 images from the highly commended amateur entries, to be displayed on the Saatchi Online Gallery Wall in Cannes during the Awards and exhibition.
The Sony World Photography Awards aims to celebrate both the future of photography as well as pay tribute to the visions of the past. As part of this, a Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to an established photographer as an official recognition of their contribution to the industry.
This tribute to photography continues with an exhibition entitled Legacy; a celebration of photography past and present. Taking place at the Palais des Festivals in Cannes from 21st to 25th April, the shortlisted photographs from the Sony World Photography Awards will be complemented by images from some of the world´s most influential photographers.
Curated by Magnum Photos, the collection will include the work of internationally distinguished photographers including Henri Cartier-Bresson, George Rodger (the 4th founder and celebrating his 100th anniversary along with Cartier-Bresson this year), David Seymour, Robert Capa, Philip Jones Griffiths, Eve Arnold and Steve McCurry amongst others.
Scott Gray, founder of the World Photography Awards commented: "The shortlist - as nominated by the worldâs leading photographers - is quite exceptional. The quality and diversity of images is a celebration of the industry in itself."
Key Dates
- 7th April - Amateur category winners and Sony World Photography Awards Amateur Photographer of the Year announced
- 14th April - Professional category winners announced
- 24th April - Announcement of Sony World Photography Awards Photographer of the Year and Lifetime Achievement Award at awards ceremony in Palais des Festivals, Cannes
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