Winners announced for the 11th Andrei Stenin International Press Photo Contest
Moscow’s Red Square played host to a celebration of exceptional photography on November 18, as the 11th Andrei Stenin International Press Photo Contest awarded its Grand Prix to talented photography artist Yekaterina Yakel from Moscow.
Her remarkable series, titled Russian Spirit: An Obstacle Course, poignantly encapsulates the challenges faced by wounded combat veterans rebuilding their lives after experiencing the ravages of war.
The international jury, in an unprecedented unanimous decision, acknowledged Yakel’s powerful portrayal of resilience, courage, and determination among veterans as they navigate the complexities of civilian life. In her words, “Heroism doesn’t manifest itself only on the battlefield, but also in everyday life.”
This sentiment resonates throughout her work, where the recovery process is intertwined with the rehabilitation efforts at the Orto-Sport Adaptive Sports Center, underscoring the therapeutic impact of sports as a vital tool for recovery.
The series was showcased in the Portrait. A Hero of Our Time category, emphasising not only the physical battles that these soldiers endure but also the significant emotional journey they undertake as they strive to rediscover their purpose following their service. “Recovery from wounds often means learning to walk again,” Yakel elaborated, capturing the essence of their struggle with grace and sensitivity.
Through her lens, she celebrates the indomitable spirit of these heroes, honouring them not just for their bravery on the front lines, but for their unwavering strength in moving forward.
Apart from Yakel’s stunning achievement, the ceremony also unveiled the winners across various categories for the 2025 shortlist. In the highly competitive Top News category, Indonesia’s Reza Saifullah clinched first place with his single image Rohingya Capsized Boat, depicting Rohingya refugees despairingly awaiting rescue after their boat capsized in West Aceh.
Abelrahman Alkahlout from Palestine was awarded first place in the same category for his powerful series Gaza: Echoes of Genocide, which provides a haunting portrayal of the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Palestine.
The sports category saw S.M. Al Muztaba Rosul from Bangladesh take home the top prize with his heart-wrenching image The Last Race: Fall of a Champion, capturing the demise of a racehorse amid a moment of grim finality as it succumbed to its limits surrounded by a crowd.
Meanwhile, the My Planet contest saw China’s Mengdan Zhu lead the way with her striking image Fruit Trees Growing in Tents, portraying the resilience of farmers adapting to extreme weather conditions.
Bahrain’s Mustafa AbdulHadi was honoured in the My Planet series category for his evocative portrayal of the Day of Ashura mourning procession in Karbala, Iraq. In the Portrait. A Hero of Our Time category, the works of Nyein Nyein Htwe from Myanmar and Pelagia Tikhonova from Russia caught the attention of the jury, further showcasing the depth of talent on display at the contest.
The most visually captivating entries emerged in the Top View single-photo category, where Brazilian photographer Anselmo Cunha dos Santos won with his enchanting image Aircraft on the Tarmac of a Flooded Airport, presenting a unique perspective on the aftermath of nature’s wrath in Rio Grande do Sul.
This year’s contest not only celebrated individual photography talent but also shone a light on critical global issues through the lens of skilled photographers, reminding audiences of the powerful stories that images can tell, and the profound artistry they can embody.
In other categories, the jury awarded its prizes to the following contenders:
Top News. Single Image
Reza Saifullah, Indonesia – 1st place
Muhammad Amdad Hossain, Bangladesh – 2nd place
Syed Mahamudur Rahman, Bangladesh – 3rd place
Top News. Series
Abdelrahman Alkahlout, Palestinian Territory, Occupied – 1st place
Vladimir Umikashvili, Georgia – 2nd place
Kazi Salahuddin Razu, Bangladesh – 3rd place
Garry Lotulung / Indonesia – Jury Honorable Mention
Sport. Single Image
S.M. Al Muztaba Rosul, Bangladesh – 1st place
Sergei Bobylyov, Russia – 2nd place
Mohammad Shahriar Foisal, Bangladesh – 3rd place
Yasser Alaa Mobarak, Egypt – Jury Honorable Mention
My Planet. Single Image
Mengdan Zhu, China – 1st place
Rakibul Alam Khan, Bangladesh – 2nd place
Hendy Wicaksono, Indonesia – 3rd place
So Pyay Lynn, Thailand – Jury Honorable Mention
My Planet. Series
Mustafa AbdulHadi, Bahrain – 1st place
Pavel Ivshin, Russia – 2nd place
Shibasish Saha, India – 3rd place
German Caballero, Spain – Jury Honorable Mention
Portrait. A Hero of Our Time. Single Image
Nyein Nyein Htwe, Myanmar – 1st place
Pradiptamoy Paul, India – 2nd place
Mohammad Ali Pour, Czech Republic – 3rd place
Portrait. A Hero of Our Time. Series
Pelagia Tikhonova, Russia – 1st place
Yevgeny Konoplyov, Russia – 2nd place
Pradiptamoy Paul, India – Jury Honorable Mention
Top View. Single Image
Anselmo Cunha dos Santos, Brazil – 1st place
Armin Durgut, Bosnia and Herzegovina – 2nd place
Mushfiqul Alam, Bangladesh – 3rd place
Joy Saha, Bangladesh – Jury Honorable MentionShibasish Saha, India – Jury Honorable Mention
The ceremony in Moscow serves as a starting point for the traditional exhibition tour. This international roadshow is already scheduled to make stops at galleries in Ethiopia, Serbia and Argentina, while the contest keeps expanding the geography of its international tour by constantly adding new destinations.
IOL