Authorzooom productions
Published 13 April 2026

Submissions Are Open: The Illume Awards 2026

It’s time to return to your camera…

Because a new chapter begins. Submissions for The Illume Awards 2026 are now open, inviting photographers from around the world to share their perspective on human-powered adventure and action sports photography.

Built on the legacy of Red Bull Illume, The Illume continues to celebrate the photographers behind the lens. Those who go further, wait longer, and return again and again to capture something real. But this next chapter also carries a broader intention. To recognize that the places we capture are not just backdrops, but environments worth protecting.

Together with eight NGO partners, Access Fund, Leave No Trace, Protect Our Winters, Skateistan, Surfrider Foundation, Trash Free Trails, Wings for Life, and World Bicycle Relief, The Illume brings greater visibility to the landscapes and communities that make these photos possible.

As the team behind The Illume, zooom leads the project end to end, from concept and positioning to global communications, submission infrastructure through digital solutions, judging, and the award ceremonies and exhibition tour that follow.

The Path of an Image: From Entry to Selection

Submissions are open until July 31, 2026.

Photographers can submit their work across eight sports categories: Adventure, Aerial, Bike, Climb, Skate, Snow, Surf, and Trail, and pair each photo with one of eight theme categories.

Each photo is first judged within its sport by a panel of 5 dedicated experts per category. From there, finalists move into a second stage of judging, where an additional 20 experts from the photography and media industries join the process. In total, 60 industry experts will review the photos to select the world’s best adventure and action sports photos.

To ensure fairness, all judging is conducted anonymously. No metadata or identifying information is shared with the judges, keeping the focus entirely on the photo itself.

Submission to recognition

To be selected is to be recognized by peers who understand both the craft and the conditions behind the photo.

Finalists and winners will have their work showcased globally through The Illume’s Award Ceremonies, the photobook and traveling exhibition, bringing these moments to audiences worldwide. Winners will also receive The Illume Trophy along with premium products from partners, including Angelbird, Leica and Yodobashi.

New for the 2026 award is a partner benefit program. By submitting your photo, you qualify for an exclusive collection of benefits from respected brands from adventure, outdoor and photography. New partners and benefits are added continuously throughout the submission window until July 31, 2026.

The Path of an Image: From Entry to Selection

More than a submission window, this is an invitation to return to your camera and to adventure and action sports photography. Participation is free and open to all, whether amateur or professional.

Chase the light you’ve been waiting for. Return to the trail, the wall, the ridge, or the break that keeps calling you back, or revisit the photos already waiting to be rediscovered in your archive.

The next great adventure photo might still be ahead of you, or it might already exist. Picture this as the moment you share your perspective with the world.

Submissions are open now until July 31, 2026! Enter your work at the-illume.com