Illuminated River is proud to sponsor the Short Film category again this year, encouraging entrants to explore the artwork through motion. This year's theme, People and Places, invites budding or experienced photographers and filmmakers to capture the many stories of the River Thames.
The annual competition hosted by Thames Festival Trust in collaboration with Port of London Authority, encourages photographers and film makers to get out and explore the River Thames through their creative lens.
There are five distinct categories, each of which speaks to a different facet of the river and all offer fantastic potential for striking photography and film.
Entrants are encouraged to use any device, from smartphones to professional cameras, and bring creativity, innovation and originality to their work.
In addition to the short film category, the competition has four categories for photographers to respond to: ‘River City’, ‘River of Life’, ‘River People’, and ‘Working River’.
The competition closes to entries on 12 noon Sunday 10 January 2027.
The winning entries will be showcased during the Thames Festival in September 2027.
Be inspired and view the 2026 winning videos here