The Andrei Stenin International Press Photo Contest has once again highlighted the importance of international collaboration in photojournalism through its recent exhibition held in Tehran. The event showcased the winning and selected works from the contest’s 11th edition, held in 2025, which drew entries from young photographers across 40 countries.
The exhibition ran from September 14 to September 22 at the House of Photographers Gallery of the Art Bureau in Tehran. It was organized in partnership with the Mehr Media Group and the Iranian House of Photographers. The display featured 30 photographs from emerging photojournalists representing countries including Russia, Indonesia, China, Egypt, Brazil, and Bahrain. These images offered visual narratives addressing contemporary global themes such as social issues, environmental concerns, crises, and everyday life, emphasizing the role of documentary photography in capturing human experiences worldwide.
Alexander Shtol, executive director of the Andrei Stenin International Press Photo Contest, expressed his gratitude to the Mehr Media Group for their support in hosting and promoting the exhibition. In a message, he commended the group’s professionalism and its contribution to fostering dialogue between Iran and Russia. Shtol also expressed appreciation for the Mehr News Agency’s involvement, highlighting the event as an opportunity for young photographers and enthusiasts in Iran and the region to engage with this international competition.
Shtol further noted the willingness of the Rossiya Segodnya media group, which organizes the contest, to expand cooperation with the Mehr Media Group on future projects. He conveyed openness and support for initiatives led by the Mehr News Agency in Russia, signaling a commitment to broader cultural and media exchanges.
The Andrei Stenin International Press Photo Contest has established itself as a significant annual event in the field of photojournalism, aiming to discover and nurture young talent while promoting high professional standards and documentary excellence. Named after Andrey Stenin (1980–2014), a respected Russian photojournalist who covered conflicts in multiple regions including Egypt, Syria, Libya, and the Gaza Strip, the contest honors his legacy. Stenin was a veteran photo reporter for RIA Novosti and tragically died while covering the War in Donbas. He was posthumously awarded Russia’s Order of Courage.
This exhibition not only reflected the contest’s dedication to visual storytelling but also underscored the growing cultural cooperation between Iranian and Russian media organizations.