1ST PLACE – SINGLE IMAGE
Barry Crosthwaite, United States
Embers of Tradition
A Kalbelian couple warms themselves by a fire against the chill of the desert night. The Kalbelians, a nomadic community, have historically relied on the resources of the desert for survival. In recent years, however, they have adapted by embracing their rich traditions of dance, music, and craft-making, sharing their cultural heritage through performances and artisanal sales to sustain their way of life and preserve their nomadic identity.
2ND PLACE – SINGLE IMAGE
Amir Behroozi, Iran
Rad Moan
The poignant moment when family members reunite with the remains of their loved one, a soldier killed in the war, whose body has finally returned home after 27 years of being missing. This powerful scene encapsulates the enduring pain of loss, the passage of time, and the bittersweet closure of a decades-long absence.
3RD PLACE – SINGLE IMAGE
Ben Paul, United Kingdom
Notting Hill
A candid moment from the 1980s captured on the outskirts of the Notting Hill Carnival, where the vibrant energy of the main festivities transitions into a more subdued atmosphere. While the crowds and music fade into the background, the essence of the Carnival persists, reflecting its enduring spirit even in quieter corners. This photograph offers a timeless outlook into the event’s experience, showcasing the vibrancy and lightness of a festive day.
1ST PLACE – SERIES
Nicolas Castermans, France
Breath of Modernity
In the high Andes of Cusco, alpaca herder communities, deeply rooted in Quechua culture, face transformative changes as modern technology and Western culture reshape their traditional way of life. Climate change adds further pressure, with prolonged droughts threatening their livelihood. Nicolas Castermans captures this pivotal moment, documenting the community’s resilience as they navigate the tension between preserving tradition and embracing tourism as a potential path to sustainability.
2ND PLACE – SERIES
Maxim Shemetov, Russia
Saturday Night in the Kingdom of Gloom
Nikola-Lenivets, nestled in Russia’s Kaluga region, is Europe’s largest land art park, blending art, architecture, and contemporary design within the Ugra Nature Reserve. Founded by artist Nikolay Polissky, it has become a hub for independent art and a sanctuary for free spirits and creators, offering an alternative to the growing militarism and traditionalism in Russian society. The photographer documents this unique community, capturing its resistance to societal pressures and its celebration of multiculturalism, connection, and creative expression.
3RD PLACE – SERIES
Matthew Hayes, United States
The Western Edge
This series delves into the captivating duality of the American West as a place of both dreams and despair. Through his lens, Hayes portrays the delicate balance between wilderness and civilization, with vast landscapes and communities that rise and fall. His journey spans high-desert plains, forested mountains, and hidden cities, revealing contrasts between the past’s faded charm and the emptiness of modern constructions. This exploration highlights the West’s power to inspire and dishearten, offering a nuanced view of its evolving identity.
HONORABLE MENTION BY ALESSIA GLAVIANO
Willie Velazquez, United States
The Kiss
Pride 2023 at the washington square park fountain, in NYC.
HONORABLE MENTION BY NATELA GRIGALASHVILI
Apostolos Kalaoudis, Greece
Le Chant De L’Aigle [Ardabek & Ordabek, the Twins]
Hunting with eagles is an ancient tradition passed down through generations, requiring patience, dedication, and a deep understanding of avian behavior. Sixteen-year-old Ardabek, son of Eagle Hunter Koki Tolek and grandson of the legendary Master Baytei Babii, expressed his desire to train as an eagle hunter from a very young age, unlike his twin brother, Ordabek. As his father explained, eagle hunters never force their children into the craft. The bond between hunter and eagle is profound, built on mutual respect and a natural calling.
HONORABLE MENTION BY ED KASHI
Daniel Ramos, Mexico
Untitled
From the series “Carnival on the Outskirts,” taken in Tlaltenco, Mexico, in 2024.
HONORABLE MENTION BY LUCREZIA BONAROTA
Dean Kotula, United States
Best Friends House
When the managing editor called to request coverage of a house fire, the photographer arrived to find the building engulfed in flames, with a fire department official documenting the scene. Among the chaos, he was drawn to a woman in the foreground, her face telling a powerful story. Later, they learned that her intense anguish stemmed not from personal loss, but from deep empathy. She was mourning for her best friend, whose home was being destroyed.
HONORABLE MENTION BY MARCO SAVARESE
Birgit Neiser, Germany
Green Gold
“Green Gold” documents the jade mining industry in Northern Myanmar’s Hpakant region, where jade, or “green gold,” is in high demand. In this politically unstable area, large mining companies are often restricted, leaving individual miners and laborers to search for valuable stones manually, risking their lives amidst landslides. Much of the jade is sold to China, driven by an insatiable demand for “Royal Jade.” The mining process not only endangers workers but also scars the landscape, leaving behind an abstract, surreal quality that reflects the environmental cost of this pursuit.
HONORABLE MENTION BY JODY MACDONALD
Erik Bulkens, Belgium
By Accident
The photographer’s grandfather, Marcel De Baer, was a forensic expert in the 1960s and 1970s, documenting around 4,000 road accidents with photos taken for purely utilitarian purposes. Removed from their original context, these images take on an unexpected artistic quality, prompting questions about what defines art: whether it’s the creator’s intent, the curator’s perspective, or public recognition.
While the photos maintain a professional objectivity without voyeuristic or sensational intent, they still convey a dramatic narrative, encouraging reflection on both their documentary and artistic significance.
HONORABLE MENTION BY REZA DEGHATI
Mahdi Barchian, Iran
How Does It Ends?
This series examines the profound effects of climate change and environmental destruction on human life in Iran, focusing on the intersection of ecological crises, internal migration, and resilience. Beginning in northern Iran, the photographer reflects on childhood observations of climate migrants displaced by severe storms and droughts.
OPEN CALL 2024
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CONTEST
Open Call 2024
Third Edition. The public chapter in Bologna, at MAS.
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FINALISTS
Single Category
The 2024 reading in one frame. Forty single photographs read by the jury.
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FINALISTS
Series Category
The 2024 reading across sustained projects. Fifteen photo essays read by the jury.
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