The Luis Valtueña International Humanitarian Photography Award celebrates its 30th edition in 2026 and is now open for submissions from photographers and collectives of any nationality working in documentary photography and photojournalism.
Entry is free of charge, and submissions will be accepted until 11 October 2026 through Picter.
Thirty years after its creation, the award reaffirms its commitment to humanitarian photography as a powerful tool for memory, advocacy and social change. Organised by Médecins du Monde Spain (Médicos del Mundo), the award honours Flors Sirera, Manuel Madrazo, Mercedes Navarro and Luis Valtueña, aid workers from the organisation who were killed while providing medical assistance to civilians in Rwanda and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Who can apply
The call is open to individuals aged 18 or over—both professional and amateur photographers—as well as collectives of any nationality working in documentary photography and photojournalism.
Applicants must submit a series of five to ten photographs addressing one or more of the following themes:
- Health
- Humanitarian action
- Migration
- Armed conflict
- Emergencies
- Social exclusion
- Human rights violations
For this edition, the jury will pay particular attention to underreported stories and issues that have received little media coverage.
Awards and recognition
The 30th edition will distribute €12,000 in prize money across four winning series:
- First Prize and overall winning project: €6,000
- Second Prize: €2,000
- Third Prize: €2,000
- Fourth Prize: €2,000
In addition, the Donostia Human Rights Film Festival will present a Special Award of €1,500 to one photograph selected from the four winning series. The chosen image will become the official image of the festival’s 2027 edition.
Beyond the financial awards, the four winning series will be featured in the Luis Valtueña Award travelling exhibition and the award’s official catalogue—a platform that, for three decades, has helped bring international recognition to photographic projects committed to human rights and social justice.
How to apply
Entry is free of charge and must be completed before 11 October 2026 via Picter.
Full information on the rules, deadlines and submission process is available in the official call for entries.
This edition is organised with the support of the Donostia Human Rights Film Festival and the SEUR Foundation.
