The Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum International Photography Award (HIPA) has officially launched its 15th season, inviting photographers worldwide to explore the theme of “Family”.
This prestigious Dubai-based competition seeks to capture the essence of unity and belonging, viewing family not just as a human connection but as a system found in nature and materials.
Beyond the main theme, the competition features diverse categories including Sports Photography, Portfolio (Story-Telling), and a General category for both color and black-and-white works.
Innovation takes center stage this year with the “Dreams Through AI” category, which allows creators to blend original photography with artificial intelligence to create dreamlike imagery.
Funding and benefits
The 15th season offers a staggegrand total of $1,000,000 in prize money, all awarded in US Dollars.
The most coveted prize is the $200,000 Grand Prize, which is not restricted to the main theme and can be awarded to any exceptional photograph submitted across all categories.
In addition to the grand prize, first-place winners in most categories will receive $40,000, while the Portfolio category offers $50,000 for the top entry.
The season also features lucrative special awards, including the Photography Appreciation Award ($100,000) and the HIPA Photographer of the Year ($80,000).
Application requirements and eligibility
Participation is completely free of charge and open to all individuals aged 18 years or older regardless of their location.
All entries must be submitted through the official HIPA online portal, where participants can upload one photo per category, with the exception of the Portfolio category which requires a series of five to ten images.
Submitted works must meet high technical standards, including being in JPEG format, at least 5 MB in size, and having a minimum resolution of 300dpi.
Each submission must be accompanied by a title and a description of at least 150 words, which can be written in English, Arabic, or both.
To ensure originality, photos that have previously won major prizes in other high-profile competitions are disqualified.
Furthermore, while AI technologie are celebrated in the “Dreams Through AI” category, participants in all other categories must declare that no AI tools were used to maintain the authenticity of human creative expression.
Deadline
The window for online submissions is currently open and will remain active until the end of May.
All entries must be finalized and uploaded by May 31, 2026, at 11:59 PM (UAE local time) to be considered by the judging panel.
To apply, visit HIPA call page. Visit our global opportunity page for more.
Summary not available at this time.
