The world's biggest photo competition opens for entries with huge cash prizes up for grabs in its 20th year

Two women in traditional skirts stand in forested areas with drawn outlines of people and musical instruments overlaid around them.

The Sony World Photo Awards are known for being one of the largest photography competitions, attracting close to half a million entrants each year, but also for serving up some lucrative cash sums to winners.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the competition, with the 2027 awards offering $25,000 (£18,600 / AU$35,340) to the overall Photographer of the Year as well as $5,000 (£3,700 / AU$7,000) to the Single Image Competition and Sustainability Prize winners.