A Bangladeshi photographer named Pinu Rahman has been awarded the $200,000 Grand Prize at the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum International Photography Award (HIPA). The winning photograph captures a poignant scene of a family sleeping amidst the concrete ruins of their home in Dhaka, following a massive fire that destroyed over 1,500 houses in the densely populated Korail settlement. The image was praised for its powerful portrayal of resilience and the enduring strength of familial bonds in the face of immense tragedy. The award was presented by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum during a high-profile ceremony at Dubai’s Museum of the Future.

This year’s edition of the awards, which centered on the theme of 'Family,' showcased a diverse array of global talent, with a total of $1 million distributed across various categories. Beyond the grand prize, HIPA recognized several individuals for their lifetime contributions to the field, including Japanese photographer Kazuyoshi Nomachi, Syrian content creator Ali Mohamad, and French photojournalist Véronique de Viguerie. The event also celebrated winners in specialized categories such as 'Dreams Through AI,' 'Portfolio,' 'Sports Photography,' and 'General,' highlighting the evolving landscape of visual storytelling. As HIPA celebrates its 15th anniversary, it continues to serve as a vital platform for more than half a million photographers from 209 countries to share their cultural narratives and human experiences.