The Luis Valtueña International Humanitarian Photography Award, presented by Médicos del Mundo, is now open for entries for its 29th edition after closing the previous edition with record participation. More international than ever, the competition has established itself as a benchmark for photojournalism and humanitarian photography, with entries from 96 countries.
Photojournalists who wish to participate can submit their projects in this new edition. The deadline for submissions is 10 October 2025.
Year after year, the competition seeks to raise awareness of humanitarian issues through diverse perspectives that allow complex realities such as climate change, gender violence, migration, armed conflict and multiple human rights violations to be narrated.
The jury, composed of widely recognised professionals from the world of photography, an expert representative in humanitarian action and a representative from Médicos del Mundo, will meet in November to select a winning project and up to three finalists. The decision will be announced at the end of that month.
© Santiago Mesa
The winner will receive a cash prize of €6,000. In addition, all selected works will be included in both the travelling exhibition and the associated catalogue.
The exhibition of the selected works and the award ceremony will take place in Madrid in 2026. Afterwards, as usual, the winning images will tour different cities in Spain and abroad.
Every year, Médicos del Mundo organises this award in memory of our four fellow aid workers — Flors Sirera, Manuel Madrazo, Mercedes Navarro and Luis Valtueña — who were murdered while carrying out humanitarian work in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Rwanda. In addition to being a tribute, this award is a tool for raising awareness and a way to denounce human rights violations and promote social justice.
How to enter?
Photographers of any nationality, of legal age and with an interest in photojournalism and documentary photography, may enter with a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 10 images in digital format (*.jpg). At least 50% of the images must have been taken between 2024 and 2025. The theme of the photographs must tell a story related to health, humanitarian action, international cooperation, social exclusion, armed conflicts, natural disasters, or refugee or immigrant populations. In short, photos that reflect the violation of any human rights, and in particular, the right to health.
Special attention will be given to stories of interest that are not sufficiently covered or disseminated or are little known, in order to contribute to their dissemination and reflection.
All entries must be registered through the Picter platform.
Find all the information you need to submit your entry here.
Key dates
July 2025: Opening of the call for entries
Friday, 10 October 2025: Call for entries closes
Friday, 17 October 2025: Correction of errors
November 2025: Jury’s decision
2026: Award ceremony, exhibition opening and publication of catalogue
