Dubai recently played host to the world’s photographic elite as the Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum International Photography Award (HIPA) concluded its 14th season, themed ‘Power,’ with a dazzling awards ceremony. Held on November 12, 2025, at the iconic Museum of the Future, the event honored global visual storytellers who captured influential narratives, distributing a total prize pool of $1 million under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai.
The ceremony, attended by prominent international dignitaries and members of the photography community, saw His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE Olympic Committee, present the coveted Grand Prize. Italian photographer Gianluca Gianferrari secured the $200,000 top award for his stunning capture of a volcanic eruption on Sicily’s Mount Etna. The image masterfully juxtaposed glowing lava fragments against pristine white snow beneath a starlit night sky, creating a visually arresting celestial mosaic.
Celebrating Excellence in Visual Storytelling
Beyond the Grand Prize, the 14th season recognized individuals who have significantly shaped the industry and utilized photography for global good.
Special Award Honorees:
- The Appreciation Award: Presented to American photographer Rick Smolan for his distinguished career spanning decades, marked by prestigious awards, influential publications, and dedicated work raising awareness on critical humanitarian issues.
- The Content Creator Award: American photographer and filmmaker Mark Smith received this honor. Recognized as a world-leading observer and researcher of birdlife, Smith’s environmental activism and impactful visual content have reached audiences exceeding two billion views globally.
- HIPA Photographer of the Year: Omani photographer Salem Al-Hajri was celebrated for his projects that visually articulate and preserve Omani and wider Arab cultural heritage. His commitment extends to mentoring the next generation of photographers in the Gulf region.
Ali bin Thalith, Secretary General of HIPA, emphasized the award’s global reach and growing influence during his address. He noted that the ‘Power’ theme inspired over 87,000 global submissions from nearly 50,000 photographers, highlighting how the concept—defined as a source of progress, human aspiration, and influence—drove the season’s visual themes.
Category Winners Showcase Global Diversity
The core category awards celebrated diverse visual styles and subjects, reaffirming HIPA’s commitment to supporting both established and emerging talent from around the world.
In the ‘Power’ Category, Syrian photographer Hashem Dardowra clinched first place, followed by India’s Deepak Singh Dogra and Australia’s Scott Portelli.
Winners in the ‘General’ Category demonstrated a breadth of aesthetic techniques:
- Colour: Karine Aigner (USA) took first place, followed by Jack Zhi (USA) and Marcin Giba (Poland).
- Black and White: Australian photographer Ted Grambeau claimed the top spot, ahead of South Africa’s Chris Fallows and Emirati photographer Yousef Bin Shakar Al Zaabi.
Further categories recognized technical and conceptual mastery across specialized genres:
- Portfolio: Palestinian photographer Ali Jadallah secured first place, ahead of Marek Biegalski (Poland) and Emirati Ammar AlSayed Ahmed.
- Sports Photography: Vladimir Tadić (Bosnia and Herzegovina) led the category, followed by Laci Perényi (Germany) and Masatoshi Ujihara (Japan).
- Drone (Video): Karim Iliya (USA) earned first place, with Chrisander Bergan (Norway) and Shantha Kumar Nagendran (India) placing second and third, respectively.
The ceremony successfully underscored HIPA’s role as a vital international platform, supporting the cultural development of photography and ensuring it remains a potent tool for illuminating global issues, shaping perspectives, and celebrating artistic achievement worldwide. By honoring photographers who connect tradition with contemporary narratives, HIPA continues to strengthen the UAE’s position as a global hub for visual arts innovation.