World Press Photo 2026 winners announced, Italian photographer Chantal Pinzi honored for Moroccan equestrian series
Winners of the World Press Photo Contest 2026 have been revealed, with Italian photographer Chantal Pinzi recognized for her work 'Farīsāt: Gunpowder’s Daughters.' This project captures the struggle of women in Morocco as they confront the male-centric Tbourida equestrian tradition. Taken in August 2025, it showcases their quest for inclusion following the 2004 family code reforms in Morocco. The contest attracted 57,376 submissions from 3,747 photographers across 141 nations, highlighting issues in the U.S., Ukraine, Palestine, Pakistan, and Nepal, along with environmental challenges. The winning images will be exhibited in over 60 cities, beginning on May 7 in Rome, while the Photo of the Year will be revealed on April 23 at De Nieuwe Kerk in Amsterdam.
Key facts
- World Press Photo Contest 2026 winners announced, Photo of the Year to be revealed April 23, 2026
- Italian photographer Chantal Pinzi won for 'Farīsāt: Gunpowder’s Daughters,' shot in Morocco in August 2025
- Project documents women in UNESCO-recognized Tbourida equestrian tradition, with seven all-female companies
- Contest received 57,376 images from 3,747 photographers across 141 countries
- Winning works cover conflicts, environmental crises, social movements, and intimate human experiences
- Exhibition tours over 60 cities globally, with Italian show at Palazzo delle Esposizioni, Rome from May 7
- Global jury chaired by Kira Pollack, 31 of 42 winners from regions they depict
- Women and non-binary participants constitute 22%, increased participation from South America and Asia-Pacific
Entities
Artists
- Chantal Pinzi
- Kira Pollack
- Joumana El Zein Khoury
- Ihsaan Haffejee
- Abdulmonam Eassa
- Matthew Abbott
- Roie Galitz
Institutions
- World Press Photo
- UNESCO
- Panos Pictures
- GroundUp
- Le Monde
- The New York Times
- Oculi
- Palazzo delle Esposizioni
- De Nieuwe Kerk
- Joburg Ballet School
- Soweto Theatre
- World Press Photo Foundation
Locations
- Amsterdam
- Netherlands
- Italy
- Morocco
- Rome
- United States
- Ukraine
- Palestine
- Pakistan
- Nepal
- Guatemala
- Kenya
- Zimbabwe
- Svalbard
- Norway
- South America
- Asia-Pacific
- Southeast Asia
- Northern Europe
- Americas
- Sudan
- Bara
- El-Obeid
- Soweto
- Alexandra
- Braamfontein
- South Africa
- Walande
- Maramasike Island
- Surodo Lagoon