Sony World Photography Awards 2026

The Diocesan Museum is hosting the eagerly awaited exhibition dedicated to Sony World Photography Awards 2026, an extraordinary overview presenting a carefully curated selection of the winning and shortlisted images from the nineteenth edition of the renowned international competition, curated for the occasion by B. Silbe. Organised by the World Photography Organisation, this prestigious award once again stands out as one of the most significant global events dedicated to contemporary photography, serving as a unique vantage point for observing visual trends and constantly evolving artistic languages.

The exhibition offers a profound reflection on the power of photography as a universal language for interpreting the complexity of our times. This year, the competition attracted a record number of entries, receiving over 430,000 photographs from more than 200 countries, and showcasing both established masters and emerging new talents in equal measure.

Among the highlights of the exhibition, the project stands out “Bilha, Stories of my Sisters” by the Mexican photographer Fabián Citlali, acclaimed with the supreme title of Photographer of the Year 2026. His intense images weave an indissoluble tapestry between identity, memory and a sense of belonging, offering a moving account of the traditions and the crucial role of the indigenous communities.

The exhibition also gives pride of place to the finest examples of Italian photography, featuring four outstanding photographers who took the top three places in the Professional categories of the award: the duo comprising Jean-Marc Caimi & Valentina Piccinni, winners in the category Portrait with the powerful series “The Faithful”; Federico Borrella, which came third in the same category with its socio-cultural study “Koryo-Saram: How the Descendants of Koreans Deported from the USSR Are Rediscovering Their Roots in Uzbekistan”; Matteo Trevisan, runner-up in the category Environment as part of the project “Jinê Land: Where Women Keep the Earth Alive”; and finally Daniele Vita, third on the podium in the category Still Life with the series “The Bronte Pistachio”. Adding to the sense of national pride is the splendid photograph by Giulia Pissagroia, which took first place overall in the category Street Photography of the Open Prize, offering visitors a glimpse of urban life frozen in time.

• Evening opening hours for the exhibition: Monday – Sunday: 5.30 pm – 10.30 pm (Last admission at 10.00 pm)
  Evening note: A flat rate of €12, including the first drink at InChiostro Bistrot + exhibition admission (no concessions). The Museum Pass cannot be used for evening admission.