18 / 2 / 2025

Ten photographers have been selected to participate in the 11th cycle of the Arab Documentary Photography Program for Emerging Photographers.

Drawing on the region's large-scale events in recent years, these projects delve into personal narratives as a way to make sense of history.

From intimate portrayals of life in displacement and meditations on what it means to live in a time of genocide and wars to redeploying archival material to capture something ineffable in our built spaces, the photographers try to weave together diverse material to give us meaningful images for our present.

The ADPP 2025 jurors brought together artist, curator, researcher, and photography educator Heba Farid (Egypt); photographer and educator Rula Halawani (Palestine); and Magnum Photos member and photographer Sabiha Çimen (Turkey). They issued the following jury statement, summarizing their impressions:

“It was a privilege to participate as the jury for this round of the esteemed Arab Documentary Photography Program competition, which celebrates the exceptional talents of photographers from Arab countries. We had the opportunity to review submissions that showcased a wide range of techniques and themes, highlighting the photographers’ ability to capture the diversity of their cultural heritage and present innovative perspectives. The dedication to conceptual depth and craft was inspiring, with each entry offering a unique narrative.

As jury members, we reflected on the resonant depictions of loss, destruction, and the importance of acts of remembrance in the submitted projects. We particularly appreciate the range of projects, from personal and underrepresented stories to urgent geographical and societal issues. These projects provided us with a deeper understanding of the photographers’ unique experiences and contexts, as well as their commitment to engaging with challenging subjects.

Among the selected entries, a common thread stood out: the remarkable ability to convey meaning through photography, often enriched by the integration of other art forms. We would like to recognise the exploratory and experimental use of the medium, and the incorporation of mixed media such as cinema, sculpture, painting, and collage. These works spoke to us in a deeply personal and intimate way.

One of the challenges we faced was recognizing that many vital projects required careful guidance and refinement to fully realize their potential. It became evident how the lack of resources hindered some applicants and how crucial support is for them to articulate their vision effectively — both in their statements and image selections.

A few projects required more research-based and scientific approaches, such as those with anthropological or environmental focuses. We hope there will be more support in the future for interdisciplinary methods that would support the development of stronger photographic skills that engage with critical issues in the sciences.

The 10 successful projects in this round had clear concepts, coherent visual language, and emotional resonance. While the aesthetic quality of the images is important, the final selection reflects strong, creative, and unique projects. A recurring theme in the selection is loss and displacement, reflecting the many conflicts unfolding in our region. Another persistent theme is the existential crisis facing society, particularly among youth.

The jury took extra care to review applicants’ previous works alongside their submissions, with a focus on the region and recognizing stories — and photographers — that could most benefit from ADPP support and greater exposure.

While we are pleased with our selection, we would like to offer advice to future applicants on the importance of making sure that the visual imagery is better matched with the project’s concept and description. We encourage applicants to prepare their work thoroughly — focusing on presentation, coherence, and concise statements, which are essential for a successful submission. Developing a clear visual language and thoughtful image selection are necessary, and we believe many projects could benefit from further visual research and familiarity with existing work.

We deeply appreciate the dedication of all applicants and commend the Arab Documentary Photography Program and AFAC for their unwavering commitment to fostering creativity and storytelling excellence in the Arab region. We extend our congratulations to all participants for their exceptional efforts.”

Explore the 10 selected projects

• How to Fabricate a Memory? by Ahmed Alaqra, Palestine
• Dear Home by Khalid Alarabi, Sudan
• Existential Questions in the Time of Genocide by Omar Malas, Syria
• An Unexpected Tale From a No Longer-Forgotten City by Hassan Kamil, Sudan
• Grey is the New Green by Fares Zaitoon, Egypt
• Photo Boulos by Paul Gorra, Lebanon
• Address Not Found by Roba Alfaraouna, Palestine
• But We're Nearing the Pomegranate Season by Rabab Chamseddine, Lebanon
• On War and Displacement by Hashim Nasr, Sudan
• Lowest Point on Earth by Maryam Al Khasawneh, Jordan

The ADPP is a program by AFAC, in partnership with the Prince Claus Fund and Magnum Foundation.