2026 Andrei Stenin International Press Photo Contest
2026 Andrei Stenin International Press Photo Contest is now open for entries!
Andrei Stenin International Press Photo Contest 2026 has been recently opened for entries inviting all young photojournalists aged 18 to 33 with aim to promote and support them in their strive for professional perfection.
Short description
Andrei Stenin International Press Photo Contest 2026, photography competition, organized by Rossiya Segodnya Media Group under the auspices of the Commission of the Russian Federation for UNESCO, dedicated to supporting young photographers and raising public awareness of the challenges facing contemporary photojournalism, now is opened for entries!
Every year, the contest allows young photojournalists from around the globe to show what moves and concerns them. While the mission remains unchanged — give young photographers a strong start, this year the organizers introduce a brand new category — Energy of Life — open to photojournalists aged 34 and above. The organizers now look forward to projects from both seasoned masters and emerging authors – together, they form the diverse, vivid, and sometimes contradictory picture of contemporary photojournalism.
The Andrei Stenin International Press Photo Contest was established on 22 December 2014 by Rossiya Segodnya under the patronage of the Russian Federation’s Commission for UNESCO. The Stenin Contest is the only competition in Russia that discovers new names in international photojournalism and develops quality standards for documentary photography.
The number of contest participants and the countries they come from has been growing every year. The contest itself is gaining popularity also thanks to the exhibitions of the winning entries, which have become an integral part of the event. They have been held in dozens of countries, including China, South Africa, Mexico, Argentina, Uruguay, Turkey, Lebanon, Germany, Spain, Italy, Greece, Hungary and Poland.
The main themes of the contest include global humanitarian challenges, national identity, social equality and the environment.
The contest categories for 2026 are:
➜ Top News — Important events in the lives of individuals and nations form the primary subject of entries in this category: major political and social events, reports from war zones and areas affected by natural disasters, and pivotal moments in people’s lives
➜ Portrait. A Hero of Our Time — Entries in this category feature individual or group portraits of people. The photographs can be either documentary or staged. The defining criterion for this category is the photographer’s ability to reveal the inner world of their subjects, expressing their spirit and personality through the uniqueness of their appearance and overall image
➜ My Planet — This category features works that capture the vibrant diversity of themes and images from across the world. The photographer’s task is to showcase the everyday kaleidoscope of life in its enduring beauty and harmony, uniting scenes from people’s daily lives, the hustle and bustle of big cities and small towns, landscapes, as well as ethnographic and religious celebrations
➜ Sports — This category features images capturing moments from the world of sport: triumphant victories and the drama of defeat, daily training sessions, and the beauty of sports competitions
➜ Top View — This category features single photographs taken from a bird’s eye perspective. The mages may depict plants and animals, urban life, people, scenes from everyday life or sporting events, as well as abstract compositions. The decisive factor is the shooting angle. Photographs can be taken using a drone, a camera, or a mobile phone. We are looking for breathtaking views and captivating stories
➜ Energy of Life — New for 2026 — This category serves as a space for sharing personal perspectives and wide-ranging interpretations. It features Photo Image series reflecting the diversity of life in various iterations and manifestations. The author’s task consists of conceptualizing and using visual means for conveying the impulses which make the world tick and evolve, while inspiring people to achieve their goals, aspirations and accomplishments. Is open to photojournalists aged 34 and above.
Entries in Top News, My Planet, and Portrait. A Hero of Our Time may be submitted as either single images or photo series. The Sports and Top View categories accept single images only.
In the Sports and Top View categories, 1st, 2nd and 3rd places are awarded for single photographs only.
In The Energy of Life category, the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd prizes shall be awarded for series of Photo Images.
The awards ceremony for the 12th Andrei Stenin International Press Photo Contest is traditionally scheduled to take place in Moscow between September and November 2026.
Who may enter?
Professional photographers aged 18 and above can submit their work.
Prize:
The prize fund for the 2026 competition is 125,000 rubles for first place, 100,000 rubles for second place, and 75,000 rubles for third place in each category. The recipient of the competition’s top honor, the Grand Prix, will receive 700,000 rubles.
Entry fees:
There is no entry fee to participate!
