Both professionals and amateurs are welcome to submit before February 28. Details on the official contest website.
The competition retains its five main categories for young photographers aged 18 to 33:
Top News
Sports
My Planet
Portrait. Heroes of Our Time
Through the Lens of the Photographer (Aerial View)
For its 12th edition, the Andrei Stenin International Contest has also introduced a new category: Energy of Life, open to photographers aged 34 and older, allowing submission of single images or series without thematic restrictions.
Prizes for 2026 total 125,000 rubles for first place, 100,000 rubles for second, and 75,000 rubles for third in each category. The Grand Prix winner will receive 700,000 rubles. The award ceremony for the 12th Andrei Stenine International Photojournalism Contest will traditionally take place in Moscow between September and November 2026.
Prestigious Jury and Notable Past Winners
Over the years, the jury has included renowned photographers such as Vladimir Vyatkin (Russia), Gabriele Cecconi (Italy), Sefa Karacan (Turkey), and Juan Canete (Argentina).
Over the years, the jury has included renowned photographers such as Vladimir Vyatkin (Russia), Gabriele Cecconi (Italy), Sefa Karacan (Turkey), and Juan Canete (Argentina).
Past laureates include globally recognized names like Elena Anossova (Russia) for her series on women in prison; Danilo Garcia Di Meo (Italy) for “Leticia: The Story of an Invisible Life,” about a paralyzed girl; and Alejandro Martinez Velez (Spain) for his coverage of migrants in Belgrade. In 2025, the Grand Prix was awarded to Ekaterina Yakel (Russia) for her photo series “The Russian Character: Obstacle Course,” depicting wounded and disabled war veterans demonstrating courage and resilience in civilian life.
This year continues the tradition of touring exhibitions featuring winners’ works across Russian and international cities. Over its 12-year history, the contest’s exhibitions have been viewed by audiences in China, South Africa, Mexico, Argentina, Uruguay, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Turkey, Lebanon, Germany, Spain, Italy, Greece, Hungary, Poland, Egypt, and other countries.
About the Contest
The Andrei Stenin International Photojournalism Contest, organized by Rossiya Segodnya media group under the auspices of the Russian Commission for UNESCO, aims to support young photographers and raise public awareness of contemporary photojournalism’s key challenges.
The Andrei Stenin International Photojournalism Contest, organized by Rossiya Segodnya media group under the auspices of the Russian Commission for UNESCO, aims to support young photographers and raise public awareness of contemporary photojournalism’s key challenges.
General media partners: VGTRK (All-Russia State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company, Russia) and Smotrim online platform (Russia).
International media partners: Independent Media group (South Africa), ANA news agency (South Africa), Shanghai United Media Group – SUMG (China), The Paper (China), Dar Al Sharq media group (Qatar), Brasil247 (Brazil), Press Trust of India (India), Iina news agency (Iraq), Mehr News Agency (Iran), NAN news agency (Nigeria), and Xinhua News Agency (China).
Sectoral partners: Union of Journalists of Russia, YOung JOurnalists website, and Photo-study.ru (all Russia).