Press photo contest to be held in Russia to encourage young photographers

Since launched on Feb. 1, over 300 pieces of works have so far been submitted to a press photo contest to be held in Russia to support young photographers to pursue professional excellence.

The Andrei Stenin International Press Photo Contest, held by Rossiya Segodnya under the patronage of the Commission of the Russian Federation of UNESCO, is named after Russian photojournalist Andrei Stenin, who died at the age of 33 while on assignment in eastern Ukraine in August 2014.

"The Andrei Stenin International Press Photo Contest is much more than a contest," said Olga Sviblova, director of the Multimedia Art Museum in Moscow and a jury member of the competition, "in supporting new talents by providing an opportunity to engage in new projects, (and) the contest allows everyone to see the world through the lens of the young."

Besides entrants from over 10 domestic regions, the contest has also attracted young foreign photographers from Moldova, Armenia, Portugal, Iran and Cyprus.

"The contest creates an opportunity for young photographers to raise awareness of important situations that affect all of us," said Michael Pritchard, director general of the Royal Photographic Society.

Photographs are accepted in four main categories: top news, current issues, sports and everyday life with three prizes in each category and a grand prize. The deadline for submitting works is April 15 and the award ceremony is scheduled on June 3 in Moscow.

The Xinhua News Agency of China and other news organizations from countries such as Russia, Britain and Indonesia will give support to the contest. Endi