The International Women Photographers Association (IWPA) has just concluded the 2018 edition of its annual photography award. The finale came after the laureate of the IWPA Award completed an international traveling exhibition across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East as well as an official solo exhibition held at the Canon Japan Headquarter Gallery in Tokyo.

The laureate of the IWPA Award was announced last April as Constanza Portnoy from Argentina. Constanza’s powerful and deeply moving series titled ‘Force of Life’ portrays the life of people with disabilities. With deep compassion and trust Constanza built a relationship with each of the individuals she portrayed in her award-winning images.

The IWPA Award is a photography award organized by the International Women Photographers Association and Antidote Art and Design, in collaboration with Alliance Française Dubai and MyArtSpy and Canon Middle East (CME) as the official sponsor. This year IWPA received more submissions from the Middle East North Africa region due to the support from the Canon ME.

“We are extremely proud of this partnership, especially since it highlights and celebrates the achievement of women in the region who might have not had the recognition they deserve in the art of photography. Our aim is to break these barriers and support the many talents we have in the region gain visibility and inspire others on their journey as well. This partnership also delivers on our corporate philosophy of Kyosei, which means working together for the common good, and by promoting the role of women in imaging arts, we are staying true to this philosophy,” said Mai Youssef, Corporate Communications & Marketing Services Director, Middle East & Africa- ‎Canon Middle East.

In addition to the laureate, there were 10 finalists who were selected from 60 short-listed candidates out of a total of more than 600 women photographers from 82 countries. The results show the outstanding success and relevance of the IWPA Award from all around the world since the finalist photographers come from across the Middle East, Europe, Asia and South America.

The finalists’ work was inaugurated on March 8 at ‘La Galerie’, Alliance Française in Dubai, which housed the opening exhibition showcasing photographs taken by women from across the world. It is the only exhibition of its kind in the region focusing only on women photographers, both professional and amateur, providing a platform for them to exhibit their work to a larger audience.

The international force of woman is recognised worldwide and gaining increasing influence in the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia (MENASA) countries. To further promote creativity, encourage fresh talent and create awareness in the region, Dubai, Beirut and Chittagong have been chosen to host this photography award, with Dubai being chosen for the second time.