Red Bull Illume - Photo by Carlo Cruz
Red Bull Illume – Photo by Carlo Cruz

The wait to discover the top 50 finalists and overall winner of the world’s largest action and adventure sports photography contest is almost over! The 2013 Red Bull Illume Winner Award Ceremony will take place in Hong Kong against the backdrop of Victoria Harbour and the city’s iconic skyline on August 29th. The event will be a big celebration with many guests from around the world, such as editors and photo editors from renowned magazines, well-known photographers, and key players in the photography industry.

It promises to be a unique occasion, with the spotlight turned on photographers whose remarkable images represent the best in action and adventure sports photography. The buzzing city will host the Winner Award Ceremony and free public exhibition, in which all 50 images are displayed in illuminated light boxes every night from August 29th to September 15th.

See Also: The top 50 images from the 2011 Red Bull Illume

The overall winner will receive the new Leica S camera and a broncolor Move Outdoor kit as well as Sun-Sniper gear worth over $2,500, while category winners will each receive a Leica X2, a broncolor Para 88 P Kit and an assortment of Sun-Sniper gear.

Nearly 30,000 images were submitted to the competition by over 6,000 photographers from around the globe. Out of a shortlist of 250 images, an international panel of esteemed photo editors selected the top 50, 10 category winners and an overall winner. The judges were overwhelmed by the quality of the shots.

“It was really quite mind blowing,” says James Mullinger, Photographic Director at British GQ. “I have never seen such a high standard in a competition before and I can’t wait to see the final winners unveiled.”

After the Winner Award Ceremony and three week exhibition in Hong Kong, Red Bull Illume will go to the U.S. next and continue traveling around the world’s capitals and cultural hubs as a unique night-time exhibition, allowing the public to fully appreciate the images in large back-lit displays.