The World Press Contest began in 1955 as an international competition organized by Dutch photographers to provide a global audience to international artists. Over the years, it has evolved into a platform that directs and guides visual journalists, storytellers, and global audiences to create meaningful stories through various artistic mediums.
The annual contest is open to creatives worldwide, and this year’s participants were tasked with sharing stories related to different continents. The result was a remarkable display of photography that highlighted critical issues around the world while defying the stereotypes that have long plagued different continents
African Categories: Singles, stories, long-term projects, open format
Singles
For the African singles category, the jury was looking for a piece that strikes a balance between the important issues happening in our content today and is far from the imposed stereotypes (animal starvation, poverty, etc.)
The single photo highlighted issues of mental health and the stigma associated with these two important factors in African communities. The old woman in the middle staring blankly into the camera in motion represents the memory loss effects of dementia. It sheds light on the importance of mental health and addresses the stigma and effects of the same.
Stories category
This story centers on Egypt’s new capital, which is poised to become a smart, eco-friendly city comparable to Dubai.
Nick Hannes‘ images capture the ongoing processes of constructing this metropolis, showcasing an intersection of themes, processes, and the global issues of labor and social class that affect the evolution of humanity.
Long-term projects category
For the long-term projects category, M’hammed Kilito’s entry focused on a Moroccan oasis and its vulnerability to the current climate crisis.
Through his simple yet powerful style, he captures the effects of the drying oasis on the individuals and communities who rely on it, and how it impacts their identities. Kilito’s work is truly remarkable in its ability to convey the overall motif and atmosphere of the piece through its simplicity, making it a standout entry in this year’s contest.
Open door format category
The essence of the village and sea is a source of inspiration for us – the residents
The open format category is fascinating because photographers are given the freedom to utilize various styles to convey the full extent of the story being told.
This year’s submission by Mohamed Mahdy sheds light on the displacement of people in Egypt. The global chair, Brent Louis, expressed admiration for this story as it encourages the audience to engage with the residents by sending letters, thoughts, and gaining a deeper understanding of their home and aspirations.The artist incorporates visual texts into his pieces, sound, etc. to fully immerse the audiences to understand the complexities of displacement .
Brent Louis exclaimed, “This is the ultimate power of journalism!” as the artist skillfully employed visual arts to convey a wide range of emotions and messages.
