LONDON.-The World Photography Awards (WPA), sponsored by Sony, is an international showcase of the best images taken by renowned and undiscovered photographers alike. From landscape to music and photojournalism to fashion photography, the WPA is the first awards of its kind and is supported by hundreds of the industry�s top photographers, critics, gallerists, directors, founders and more.

Featuring eleven different categories, both professional and amateur photographers will be invited to enter work from 9th October 2007 until mid-January 2008. All entries will be judged by a prestigious academy of experts and the winners will be announced at a black tie awards ceremony in Cannes at the Palais des Festivals on 24th April 2008.

The awards and subsequent exhibition will become to photography what the Oscars are to the film industry. With an annual ceremony and black tie gala taking place on the prestigious Cote d�Azur, the World Photography Awards is set to become the largest and most important awards in the industry.

For the inaugural year, the World Photography Academy will comprise of over one hundred of the most respected photographers, critics, picture editors, gallerists and other industry leaders, including Phil Stern (US), Terry O� Neil (UK), Chien-Chi (China), Sylvia Plachy (Hungary), Carl de Keyzer (Belgium) and Esko Mannikko (Finland).

Members of the academy will form the judging panel for the awards, and winners will automatically gain membership to the academy. The academy will be governed by the Honorary Board which comprises of eleven members, including Tom Stoddart, Mary Ellen Mark, Bruce Davidson, Martin Parr, Elliott Erwitt, Susan Meiselas and Stephen Cohen. These eleven board members will represent the academy, promoting excellence within photography and setting the standard for award selections.

Providing an unprecedented international platform in the world of photography, the aim of the World Photography Awards is to unearth the images of the future while paying tribute to the visions of the past.

"It's a great honour to be part of the inaugural Sony World Photography Awards. The awards will showcase the very best imagery from around the world and will undoubtedly inspire and excite anyone who is passionate about photography." (Tom Stoddart).