Bangladesh Press Photo Contest

Background

Even in the age of fakenews, the press photograph remains the most trusted source of news, and the press photographer, the most threatened professional. In recent years, Bangladeshi photographers have been celebrated across the globe, yet there is no formal recognition of their collective talent or the valuation of their contribution to the nation.

The Bangladesh Press Photo Award celebrates and honours the professionalism, skill, and courage of Bangladeshi photojournalists working on the country’s frontlines. Drik launched the Bangladesh Press Photo Contest in 2022, featuring photographs produced in 2021, to recognise the achievements of these courageous professionals. Each year, an esteemed panel of judges drawn from diverse fields selects outstanding work in photojournalism and documentary photography produced during the preceding year. Since its inception, the contest has been held annually, and in 2026 it marks its fifth year.

Every year the photographers submit single images for the following 3 categories-

Public Interest Journalism: What is of interest to the public is not necessarily public interest journalism. Media reporting is often driven by profit, prioritizing sensational or titillating news as clickbait to attract eyeballs and advertisers. We are looking for stories that enrich the public discourse and provide a range of perspectives that contest ideas and inform citizens. This could include the development sector, civil society members, and individual actions that impact people's general well-being.

Politics: The set of activities that are associated with making decisions in groups or other forms of power relations between individuals, such as the distribution of resources or status. It especially applies to (but is not limited to) issues of governance, factors that guide or influence government, or deal with winning and holding control over government. In short, it relates to the complex relations of power between people in society. It extends to competition between interest groups or individuals for power and leadership.

Arts, Culture & Sports: Art, in its broadest sense, is the expression of creativity or imagination. Sports involves the application of mental and physical exertion and skill in a competitive environment. Culture relates to the ideas, customs, and social behaviour of a particular people or society. Photographs in this category will embrace the full spectrum of human endeavour related to social interactions and manifestations of human intellectual and physical achievements recognised and valued collectively.

Following the judging process and announcement of the results, Drik hosts an award ceremony and inaugurates an exhibition featuring the winning images alongside selected photographs. The exhibition remains open for approximately two weeks. The 'Picture of the Year' recipient receives an honorarium of Tk. 1,00,000 and in each category, winners receive Tk. 50,000 and Honourable Mention recipients receive Tk. 10,000, along with crests, certificates and yearbooks.

Since 2023, the Bangladesh Press Photo Contest has been offering a mentorship grant for the Indigenous communities. Young indigenous photographers from both the plains and hill regions of Bangladesh are eligible to apply for this grant. The selected grantee receives financial support, year-long mentorship, and the opportunity to showcase their work at the next year's Bangladesh Press Photo exhibition.

For contest details, log on to https://drik.awardsplatform.com/