TOKYO.- The Tokyo International Foto Awards announced the 2025 winners, recognizing outstanding photographic achievements from photographers around the world. This year’s competition received an exceptional number of submissions, reflecting the depth, diversity, and evolving excellence of contemporary photography.
An esteemed panel of internationally respected photographers, curators, and gallery directors conducted a rigorous evaluation of entries across the categories of Advertising, Analog, Architecture, Book, Editorial, Events, Fine Art, Nature, People, Portfolio, and Special. Following a comprehensive review process, the jury selected the works that most strongly exemplify artistic merit, technical mastery, and innovative visual storytelling.
Program Director Hannah Lillethun expressed her thoughts on the latest TIFA 2025 winners, stating, "These winning images—created by photographers from around the world and across many genres—show the power of photography to tell stories that transcend boundaries. In a divided world, they remind me of our shared humanity and why this work matters, reaffirming the medium’s vital role in sparking understanding, empathy, and connection across borders. We are proud to celebrate these artists and grateful to our illustrious jury for their work in reviewing all the great entries that were submitted from around the world."
The TIFA Photographer of the Year 2025 title has been awarded to Alena Grom for her powerful series "Stolen Spring", which portrays life in Ukraine after the Russian occupation through the experiences of women who endured its violence.
The Discovery of the Year 2025 title goes to Yi Han and Yaorong Lu for "The Art of the Ideal Deal", a conceptually inventive series that reimagines real estate through visual storytelling by placing partner agents within iconic artworks, illustrating how an exceptional home, like a masterpiece, stands the test of time.
The competition’s highest distinctions, Photographer of the Year and Discovery of the Year, are accompanied by cash prizes of $3,000 and $2,000 respectively, as well as the official TIFA trophy and the chance to be exhibited around the world. Furthermore, all First Place recipients in the main categories, in both the Professional and Non-Professional divisions, will each receive a $200 cash award.
