Bangladesh’s Best Visual Stories Honored in Prestigious Photography Awards
In a powerful celebration of visual storytelling, Sazid Hossain from Daily Prothom Alo has earned the coveted “Photo of the Year 2025” award. His winning image was chosen from over fifteen hundred submissions to the fifth Bangladesh Press Photo Competition, highlighting the crucial role of photojournalism. The results were announced recently by Drik Picture Library, the competition’s organizer.
Mr. Hossain, who serves as the Deputy Head of Photography at Daily Prothom Alo, received the top prize of Tk 100,000 for his outstanding work. The competition recognized the bravery and skill of photographers who capture important moments across the nation.
Other winners included Md Mazharul Islam from Daily Times of Bangladesh, who took home the award in the Public Journalism and Politics categories. Md Mahmud Zaman, Head of Photography at the same organization, received a special commendation in these categories.
In the Arts, Culture, and Sports category, sports photojournalist Tanveen Tamim of Daily Sun was named the winner. Abdul Gani, a photojournalist from Daily Ittefaq, received a special award in this category. Each category winner will receive Tk 50,000, while special commendation winners will get Tk 10,000. All honorees will also receive a commemorative plaque, a certificate, and an edition of an annual book.
The competition invited submissions in June for photographs taken throughout 2025. A panel of respected photographers and public figures, including Journalist Budhha Jyoti Chakma and BRAC University Assistant Professor Dina Hossain, carefully selected the winners.
Drik Picture Library emphasized the importance of published photographs as a reliable source of news in an age of misinformation. They also highlighted the various risks faced by press photographers in their daily work. This annual competition aims to recognize and celebrate these courageous individuals.
To share these compelling images with a wider audience, an exhibition titled “Bangladesh Press Photo Exhibition 2026” will feature 32 selected photographs, including the winning entry. The exhibition will be held at the Drik Gallery in the capital from July 31 to August 12. A virtual exhibition will run at the same time, making the powerful visuals accessible to everyone.
