HIPA 2025 Awards Showcase International Photography Talent

Post by : Bianca Suleiman

Under the esteemed patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the 14th Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum International Photography Award (HIPA) brought together photographers from across the globe at the iconic Museum of the Future. This year's theme, ‘Power,’ provided a captivating backdrop for an event celebrating exceptional creativity and the art of visual storytelling.

The Grand Prize of $200,000 was awarded to Italian photographer Gianluca Gianferrari for his stunning image of Mount Etna in Sicily, where fiery lava contrasted strikingly with the white snow and a starry sky. The striking visual left a lasting impression on the audience, showcasing nature's untamed beauty.

Special Recognitions

The ceremony also acknowledged the contributions of veteran photographers. Notably, American Rick Smolan received the Appreciation Award for his lifelong impact on the field. Mark Smith, known for his bird photography and environmental advocacy, was honored with the Content Creator Award. Omani artist Salem Al-Hajri earned the title of HIPA Photographer of the Year for his work honoring Omani and Arab cultural narratives.

Global Category Winners

The ‘Power’ category winners featured Syrian photographer Hashem Dardowra taking the top position, followed by India’s Deepak Singh Dogra and Australia’s Scott Portelli.

In the ‘General - Colour’ category, American photographers Karine Aigner and Jack Zhi secured first and second places, while Poland’s Marcin Giba claimed third. The ‘General - Black and White’ awards went to Australian Ted Grambeau, South African Chris Fallows, and Emirati Yousef Bin Shakar Al Zaabi.

For the ‘Portfolio’ category, Palestinian photographer Ali Jadallah triumphed, with Poland’s Marek Biegalski and Emirati Ammar AlSayed Ahmed following suit. The Sports Photography awards recognized Vladimir Tadić (Bosnia & Herzegovina), Laci Perényi (Germany), and Masatoshi Ujihara (Japan). In the Drone (Video) category, American Karim Iliya secured the top spot with Norway’s Chrisander Bergan and India’s Shantha Kumar Nagendran completing the rankings.

With over 87,000 entries from 50,000 photographers worldwide, HIPA 2025 reaffirmed Dubai's position as a leading center for photography. The event not only showcased artistic and technical excellence but also emphasized the ability of photography to bridge cultures and inspire narratives across the globe.