The Rory Peck Awards, which recognises the work of freelance cameramen and women in news and current affairs, are now open for entries.

The awards consist of three categories:

• The Rory Peck Award for News
  Honours the work of freelance cameramen and women in the coverage of a news event where the focus is on the immediacy of the story.  Rushes / un-voiced pieces are accepted in this category.  Maximum duration: 10 minutes.
  
• The Rory Peck Award for Features
  Honours the work of freelance cameramen and women in news and current affairs features: in-depth pieces which look beyond the immediacy of a news story.
  Maximum duration: 60 minutes.
  
• The Sony Professional Impact Award
  Honours the work of freelance cameramen and women in news or current affairs that examine humanitarian or social issues. Judges will be looking for entries that have had a tangible impact in one or more of the following areas: audience, press, policy or public awareness. Maximum duration: 60 minutes.

According to a release from the Rory Peck Trust, “the awards recognise quality of camerawork, but also take into account individual endeavour, initiative and journalistic ability”.

“We welcome self-funded work and entries from local freelancers, especially those working in regions where it is difficult to operate.”

Last year’s winner was Arturo Perez, who spoke to Journalism.co.uk after winning the award about the struggle to report Mexico’s violent drug wars.

The award is named after freelance cameraman Rory Peck (pictured), who was killed in 1993 while filming in Moscow. In 1995 the Rory Peck Trust, which organises the award, was established in his memory to help provide support for freelancers and their families.

All entries must have been first broadcast between 1 August 2010 and 31 May 2011. Closing date for Entries is Monday 6 June.