Earth Photo 2027: Free International Photography and Short-Film Awards, February 3 Deadline
Earth Photo 2027, an international photography and moving-image programme established with the Royal Geographical Society and organised in partnership with Photoworks and Parker Harris, is accepting submissions worldwide. The call invites artists and filmmakers to explore landscapes, ecosystems, environmental change, the lives of communities and the relationships between people and their surroundings. Entry is entirely free. Each entrant can submit up to ten photographs or short films, and the application deadline is 3 February 2027 at 17:00 GMT, not simply midnight. The distinction matters for applicants submitting from other time zones.
What kind of images qualify?
Earth Photo welcomes documentary photography, photojournalism, contemporary and fine-art photography, conceptual photographic projects, mobile image-making, visual archives and moving-image work. Short films must run between five seconds and five minutes; that is a meaningful opportunity for experimental film, video art and concise digital visual storytelling. The call is not restricted to pictures of untouched landscapes. Proposals may examine biodiversity, changing climate, indigenous or community knowledge, environmental justice, resilience and restoration. Strong entries relate their formal visual choices to a clearly explained story about life on Earth.
Who may apply and what to prepare
Photographers, image-makers and filmmakers worldwide, including individuals and collectives.
Up to 10 works, which may be still photographs or moving-image entries; participation is free.
Submitted work should generally have been created during the past five years. Earlier images may be included when relevant to long-form documentary projects or archives.
An artist CV of up to 500 words and a short artist statement of up to 100 words.
A caption or contextual explanation of up to 100 words for each photograph or film.
Applications are made through the organiser's ArtOpps submission portal.
Awards: different categories, different eligibility
Earth Photo Award: £1,000 for an outstanding photographic project.
Climate of Change Award: £500 for work on climate impacts and responses.
Moving Image Award: £500 for a short film expressing a compelling account of the planet and its people.
David Wolf Kaye Future Potential Awards: two £1,000 project awards for practitioners aged 25 or under, one still and one moving-image.
Photoworks Digital Residency: at least one supported digital presentation with a £400 award.
Sidney Nolan Trust Residency: a two-week residency awarded to a UK-based practitioner, not a universal travel grant available to all international applicants.
Exhibitions, results and rights
Earth Photo says applicants will be notified of selection results on 11 March 2027; shortlisted creators will then supply higher-resolution files and complete details by 25 March. The Royal Geographical Society in London plans an exhibition from 5 July to 24 August 2027 and an opening and prize ceremony on 15 July. Other touring venues may follow. An award or online shortlisting does not automatically pay for flights or guarantee unrestricted exhibition fees. Photographers must hold rights to submitted material and obtain any necessary consent for people depicted in images, especially sensitive environmental stories.
Who operates the programme?
Earth Photo began in 2018 through Parker Harris, the Royal Geographical Society and Forestry England, and is now presented with Photoworks, a recognised UK photography development organisation. Its 2026 exhibition travelled to National Trust properties and cultural venues. The programme publishes award definitions, a jury and calendar through its official website and ArtOpps application system, allowing artists to verify the opportunity directly rather than entering through paid third-party competition listings.
Official entry and rules
Earth Photo official 2027 announcement and previous exhibitions: https://www.earthphoto.world/
Photoworks: official 2027 open call with awards: https://photoworks.org.uk/opportunities/open-call-earth-photo-2027/
ArtOpps 2027 entry rules and online form: https://artopps.co.uk/opportunities/earth-photo27
Information verified 24 October 2026. Free international entry; deadline 3 February 2027 at 17:00 GMT. Films 5 seconds to 5 minutes; up to ten works.