DUBAI: Under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum International Photography Award (HIPA) celebrated its 13th season with a sustainability theme at the Museum of the Future. The ceremony, attended by dignitaries and photography community members, was marked by the presence of H.H. Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who awarded the Grand Prize to Chinese photographer Liping Cao.
According to Emirates News Agency, Sheikha Latifa, Chairperson of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, awarded Liping Cao the $200,000 Grand Prize for a black-and-white image capturing the harmony between nature and technology. Sheikha Latifa emphasized Dubai’s role as a global hub for creativity and innovation, highlighting that the HIPA reflects the city’s cultural richness and commitment to fostering creative arts.
Sheikha Latifa noted that the award’s diverse categories illustrate Dubai’s vision of becoming a global magnet for photog
raphers and creatives. She highlighted the award’s alignment with the UAE’s Sustainable Development Goals, underscoring the importance of culture and arts in promoting sustainability for societal well-being.
Ali Khalifa bin Thalith, HIPA’s Secretary General, remarked on the award’s global reach, extending to 205 countries, and highlighted the increased prize purse of $1 million. He praised the prominence of Emirati and Arab photographers on the world stage, citing winners from the UAE, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, and Syria as evidence of their growing recognition.
Among other honorees, Dutch photographer James ‘Jimmy’ Philip Nelson received the Photography Appreciation Award, while Emirati photographer Salma Ali Humaid Alsuwaidi earned the Photography Content Creator Award for her work on UAE wildlife. The inaugural HIPA Photographer of the Year Award was presented to Syrian astrophotographer Samy Al Olabi.
In the ‘Sustainability’ category, Ruijuan Huang from China secured first prize, while in the ‘General –
Colour’ category, Indian photographer Rahul Vishwanath Sachdev was awarded first place. American photographer Renee Capozzola won first prize in the ‘General – Black and White’ category, and Palestinian photographer Fatma Alzahra Shbair took the top spot in the ‘Portfolio (Story-Telling)’ category.
The Sports Photography awards were presented by Hala Badri, Director General of Dubai Culture, with Tobias Friedrich from Germany winning first prize. Abdulrahman Al Owais honoured winners in the ‘Short Video (For Social Media)’ category, with Aleksandr Tsuprun from the Russian Federation taking first prize.