Tasweer celebrates photography as 30 artists receive awards, support

Tasweer Photo Festival celebrated World Photography Day by honoring 30 photographers, underscoring the medium's vital role in nurturing talent, storytelling, and cross-cultural dialogue. Held at the Fire Station Cinema, the event recognized winners of the Tasweer 2026 Project Award and Single Image Award, which aim to support promising artists as they develop their artistic practice.

Director Khalifa Ahmad al-Obaidly explained that 10 photographers received QR30,000 each to further their work, whether by publishing a book or purchasing equipment. Meanwhile, the 20 Single Image Award winners received QR2,000 in prize money to encourage emerging photographers.

Al-Obaidly emphasized photography's significance as a universal form of communication, essential for inspiring, informing, and expressing one's self. He highlighted how a picture can convey a person's essence and facilitate global understanding. Professor Ehsan Nassar, a first-time jury member specializing in photography history, praised the caliber and diversity of this year's submissions, describing the task of selecting finalists as challenging but ultimately rewarding.

Nassar stressed that developing photography skills not only benefits individual artists but also fosters international connections, strengthening societal ties across borders.