Dear IMAGO Member Societies,
As previously announced, IMAGO is bringing back its international awards program to celebrate outstanding cinematography and highlight exceptional work from across our Member Societies.
For the 2027 edition, awards will be presented in two categories:
IMAGO YSO Award
Recognizing an emerging cinematographer whose first or second feature film demonstrates a distinctive visual voice and a notable contribution to cinematography.
Best Cinematography Award
Recognizing outstanding cinematographic achievement in a feature film representing the submitting society.
IMAGO will manage the entire Awards process, from submissions to voting, through AwardCore, the official technology partner for this edition.
Key Dates
September 15, 2026 – Submissions open
October 31, 2026 – Submissions close
November 13, 2026 – First round of voting begins
November 30, 2026 – First round of voting closes
December 7, 2026 – Nominees announced
January 5, 2027 – Second round of voting begins
February 5, 2027 – Second round of voting closes
All dates are provisional and may be subject to change. IMAGO reserves the right to modify the submission, voting, nomination and Awards ceremony dates when necessary. Any changes will be communicated through the official IMAGO channels.
The winners will be announced at the IMAGO Awards ceremony during IAGA 2027 in Barcelona in April 2027, at Pompeu Fabra University.
How to Submit
Register on the AwardCore platform to create an account, then select “SUBMIT A FILM” and “CREATE NEW ENTRY.” Complete the submission form and upload all required materials.
Eligibility Requirements
- IMAGO Full Member Societies in good standing may submit one entry per category.
- The submitted film must be a fiction feature film publicly exhibited, released, broadcast, streamed, screened at a festival, or otherwise made available to the public.
- The film’s first official release must have occurred between November 1, 2024, and October 31, 2026.
- Films must be submitted in their original language. Non-English films must have English subtitles.
- The cinematographer must be credited on screen as “Cinematographer,” “Director of Photography,” or an equivalent credit identifying them as the primary author of the film’s cinematography.
- Where two or more cinematographers share equal credit, they must be submitted jointly and, if awarded, receive the Award jointly.
IMAGO YSO Award — Additional Requirements
- The film must be the cinematographer’s first or second feature film.
- The cinematographer must be active in the submitting society’s national film industry. Society membership is not required.
Best Cinematography Award — Additional Requirements
- The submitting society should nominate the feature film that best represents the society.
Required Submission Materials
- Completed submission form
- Screening link and digital screening copy
- Production information
- Cinematographer’s biography and filmography
- At least three (3) production stills
- At least two (2) photographs of the cinematographer
- Trailer or promotional excerpt
- Cinematographer’s contact information
- Confirmation of eligibility
- Letter or email from the governing body of the submitting Member Society confirming approval and compliance with the Regulations
Voting Procedure
The Awards winner will be decided by the IMAGO Full Member Societies through two rounds of voting for each category. The first round will determine the nominees, and the second round will select the winners.
In the event of a tie for first place in the second round, a third and final voting round will be held to determine the winner.
Each Member Society will determine its vote internally and is responsible for deciding how its vote will be determined.
Voting Instructions
Voting delegates will receive instructions and access to the AwardCore voting platform before each round. Votes must be submitted through the platform within the stated deadline. Votes that do not comply with the voting requirements or are submitted after the deadline may not be counted.
Terms and Regulations
Submission confirms that the submitting Member Society has obtained all necessary permissions and that relevant rights holders authorize IMAGO to use approved promotional materials exclusively for the non-commercial administration, evaluation, voting and promotion of the IMAGO Awards.
The submitting Member Society is responsible for the accuracy of all information provided and for compliance with the IMAGO General Awards Regulations.
Failure to meet the eligibility or submission requirements may result in disqualification. Dates and procedures are subject to change. Please check the IMAGO website regularly for updates.
