The 2016 edition of the Sony World Photography Awards, the world's most significant photography competitors, organised by the World Photography Organisation, today announces the shortlists for its Professional, Open and Youth competitors.

This year's shortlist is defined by its sheer internationality, with over 270 professional photographers from almost 60 countries being represented, the most in the awards' nine-year history. Also substantial was the considerable growth in the Professional competitors, with entries up 45 % on 2015.

A record-breaking 230,103 images were entered into the Professional, Open and Youth competitions from 186 countries. The total variety of entries received by the Sony World Photography Awards since its launch has now surpassed one million images, reinforcing the awards' position as one of the most respected and influential photography competitors on the world.

Identifying the best contemporary photography from 2015, the Honorary Jury, chaired by Dominque Green (Consultant, UK) and Sue Steward (Writer/ Curator, UK), have actually identified exceptional work by both emerging skill and experienced photographers from all corners of the world.

Creativity and a strong sense of empathy stuck out for the judges across the shortlist. From the thousands of submissions, refined themes likewise stood for the judges-- the delicate handling of intimate, private minutes by photographers; the recording of the significant public stories dominating the news, from the conflict in the Ukraine to the endless lines of refuges in search of a much better life in Europe; and the use of brand-new innovation to create work, including drone and underwater photography.

"I was moved by the depth of passion and commitment the professional photographers reveal to society through their work" - Dominique Green, Chair, Documentary Jury.

Consisted of on the 2016 shortlist were four individuals from the Middle East: Mohammed Yousef (Kuwait); Nader Saadallah (Egypt); Ahmed Gaber (Egypt); and Armand Tamboly (Egypt).

Scott Gray, CEO of the World Photography Organisation and organiser of the awards commented: "We are exceptionally pleased with our jurors' options this year. Regardless of the boost in the variety of photographers, and the amount of images that required evaluating, this year above all others we have seen a wealth of effective imagery in the typically strong social documentary classifications in addition to the art and conceptual work. It is fantastic for the medium that it can provide such rich variety.".

Those in the awards' Professional classifications will now contend for a $25,000 (AED 92,000) prize and the L'Iris d'Or/ Photographer of the Year title. The recipient, along with the winners of the Professional classifications, general Youth and Student winners plus the Open Photographer of the Year, who gets a $5,000 (AED 18,000) reward, will all be revealed at the Sony World Photography Awards Gala Ceremony in London Thursday 21st April. All winners will get the current digital imaging devices from Sony.

The winning and shortlisted images will go on show at Somerset House, London from 22nd April-- 8th May and released in the 2016 edition of the Sony World Photography Awards book.