In a world saturated with fleeting digital images, the power of photojournalism to document truth, evoke empathy, and shape history remains undiminished. The launch of the 12th Andrei Stenin International Photojournalism Competition in Moscow marks more than just an annual call for entries; it represents a vital commitment to nurturing the next generation of visual storytellers. Named for the young Rossiya Segodnya photojournalist killed near Donetsk in 2014, the contest, opening on his birthday, December 22, serves as a living memorial that champions the courage and integrity his work embodied.
Dmitry Kiselev, Director General of the Rossiya Segodnya media group, framed this year’s launch with a significant announcement:
“For the 12th time, the Stenin Contest is about to open the application period… This year especially, as we have prepared a surprise for our participants that will certainly delight them. We are happy to announce this year’s new category: The Energy of Life. It is open to photojournalists aged 34 and over. Our mission remains unchanged: to discover new talents and launch the careers of young photographers. At the same time, it will be very interesting to see the work of established professionals, who set the benchmarks for the younger generation… It is a great pride for us to be a part of it.”
Decoding the Categories: A Guide for Aspiring Entrants
Categories and Participation Conditions
The competition’s structure is designed to capture the full spectrum of human experience. Entrants must navigate six distinct categories, each with specific technical and narrative requirements:
- Top News: Captures decisive moments of global or local significance. (Accepts single photos and series).
- Sport: Focuses on the drama, triumph, and humanity within athletic endeavors. (Accepts single photos only).
- My Planet: Explores culture, daily life, and the relationship between humanity and environment. (Accepts single photos and series).
- Portrait. A Hero of Our Time: Seeks powerful, intimate portrayals that reveal character and story. (Accepts single photos and series).
- View from Above: Utilizes drone or aerial photography to offer unique perspectives on landscapes, events, or human patterns.
- The Energy of Life (NEW): This category represents a strategic expansion. Open to photographers 34+, it invites seasoned professionals to submit work that embodies vitality, resilience, and the unstoppable force of existence—a thematic counterpoint often found in the work of experienced documentarians.
Key Eligibility Note: The traditional core of the contest supports photographers aged 18-33 across the first five categories. The new “Energy of Life” category is exclusively for those 34 and older, creating a unique platform for dialogue between emerging and established voices. Professional photographers can submit applications on the contest’s Russian and English websites until February 28, 2026.
The incentive for participation is substantial. The 2026 prize fund awards 125,000 rubles for first place, 100,000 for second, and 75,000 for third in each category. The ultimate honor, the contest’s Grand Prix, carries a prize of 700,000 rubles. Beyond the monetary reward, winners gain international exposure. The award ceremony will be held in Moscow between September and November 2026, serving as a gateway to a global stage.
A Legacy of Impact: From Contest Winners to Global Voices
A Prestigious Jury and Past Winners
The contest’s credibility is anchored by its jury, which has historically included masters of the lens like Vladimir Vyatkin (Russia), Gabriele Cecconi (Italy), and Juan Canete (Argentina). Their discerning eyes have identified photographers whose work transcends the competition to become part of the global photojournalism canon.
Past winners illustrate the contest’s power as a career catalyst. Elena Anosova’s haunting series on women in Russian prisons, Danilo Garcia Di Meo’s intimate story “Leticia: Story of an Invisible Life,” and Alejandro Martinez Velez’s stark reportage on migrants in Belgrade are testaments to the diverse, hard-hitting journalism the contest promotes. The 2025 Grand Prix winner, Ekaterina Yakel, for her series “Russian Character: Obstacle Course,” demonstrated how the contest values narratives of profound human resilience, focusing on wounded veterans reclaiming their lives.
Victory in the Stenin Contest is not an endpoint but a beginning. A cornerstone of its mission is the extensive international touring exhibition. Over 12 years, the winning photographs have sparked conversations in cultural hubs and public spaces across China, South Africa, Mexico, Turkey, Germany, Lebanon, Egypt, and dozens of other countries. This global circuit is invaluable, offering winners physical gallery space and direct engagement with international audiences—a rarity in the digital age.
Organized by Rossiya Segodnya under the auspices of the Russian Commission for UNESCO, the Andrei Stenin Competition operates with a dual mandate: to provide material and promotional support to young photographers and to elevate the public discourse on the critical role and ethical challenges of modern photojournalism.
This mission is amplified by a robust network of media partners. Domestically, it includes giants like VGTRK and the Smotrim platform. Internationally, the partnership list reads like a map of global media influence, encompassing groups like Independent Media (South Africa), Shanghai United Media Group (China), Dar Al Sharq (Qatar), Press Trust of India, and Xinhua (China). This network ensures that winning work achieves unparalleled distribution.
Further solidifying its place within the professional ecosystem, the contest is supported by industry pillars such as the Russian Union of Journalists and educational portals like Photo-study.ru.
Source: https://fr.sputniknews.africa