The jury of the 2020 Photo Contest selected Yasuyoshi Chiba’s photograph Straight Voice as the World Press Photo of the Year. The winning image shows a young man, illuminated by mobile phones, reciting protest poetry while demonstrators chant slogans calling for civilian rule, during a blackout in Khartoum, Sudan, on 19 June 2019.
Lekgetho Makola, head of Market Photo Workshop and 2020 Photo Contest jury chair, said: “Especially in the time that we’re living in when there’s a lot of violence and a lot of conflicts, it’s important that we have an image that inspires people.”
The jury chose Kho, the Genesis of a Revolt by Romain Laurendeau as World Press Photo Story of the Year. The winning series tells the story of the deep unease of Algerian youth, who, by daring to challenge authority, inspired the rest of the population to join their action, giving birth to the largest protest movement in Algeria in decades.
Among the winners also six Italians: Fabio Bucciarelli, Luca Locatelli, Alessio Mamo (2° prize in “General News, single”), Nicolò Filippo Rosso, Lorenzo Tugnoli and Daniele Volpe.
On display, for the first time, a selection of the iconic photos that have won the prize as Photo of the Year since 1955.
In addition to the photos, a section dedicated to Digital Storytelling will be on display for the second year with a series of videos that narrate the crucial events of our time.