THE forthcoming Peebles Outdoor Film Festival has launched its first-ever photography competition.

And the winners won't just have the chance to win fabulous prizes but also have their work viewed by thousands of people over the festival weekend and beyond.

Photographers of all ages are invited to submit images based on the theme of wildness.

The deliberately-broad theme can cover a specific place, person, outdoor activity, wildlife, landscape, or even just an expression, or feeling.

Festival director Rich Rowe said: "It doesn’t matter if the images are taken on the fanciest of cameras, or a smartphone, what matters most is that the images tell a story and really stop us in our tracks.”

An independent panel of judges will shortlist a dozen stand-out images that will then be mounted and displayed in the Eastgate Theatre’s Anne Younger Studio for two weeks, including over the festival weekend.

From the dozen images shortlisted, one photograph will be chosen as the winner of the grand prize.

The winning photographer will receive a day’s guided photo tour of the Tweed Valley in the expert company of Ian Linton – an outstanding local photographer who knows all the best shooting spots – plus one night’s bed and breakfast stay at the award-winning Glede Knowe Guest House, Innerleithen.

The grand prize winner will be announced ahead of the final film/speaker session on Sunday, January 26.

All other shortlisted photographers will receive a pair of tickets to a festival session of their choice.

The 2020 Peebles Outdoor Film Festival will be held over the weekend of January 24-to-26.

Entry to the festival photography competition costs £5, with photographers able to submit up to five images.

Deadline for entries is Friday, January 17.

For entry forms and full details contact e. press@eastgatearts.com