Manchester-based Ultimate Agency has partnered with Ilford Photo and Campfield Manchester to launch a citywide film photography competition celebrating the Campfield building’s creative heritage.
The ICON photography competition invites photographers to capture Campfield – Ultimate’s new home – on black and white film, with shortlisted entries to be exhibited in a public gallery within the space.
Built in the 1800s, Campfield has played a key role in Manchester’s ever-evolving story, from market hall to wartime factory to the former Manchester Air & Space Museum.
Now, as it’s reborn as a creative and tech campus, Ultimate is helping to celebrate its next chapter through analogue photography.
“As one of the first residents in the newly renovated building, we’ve loved seeing archival photographs of Campfield throughout its many lives,” said Natalie Whittaker, brand and partnerships manager at Ultimate. “We thought ‘how best to celebrate Campfield’s history than building on that archive through the lens of local photographers?’”
The competition, in a nutshell, is:
● Open to UK photographers aged 18+
● Black & white film only (no digital entries)
● Free to enter
● Deadline: 5th November 2025
● Prize: a year’s supply of ILFORD HP5+ (20 rolls of 35mm and 10 rolls of medium format film)
Shortlisted images will be displayed in a public gallery at Campfield, with the winner chosen by public vote at the exhibition launch.
Full details and the competition entry form are available online.
