News
SUMMARY
Leica has announced the winners of its 2026 Leica Oskar Barnack Award, recognizing Damir Faizulin with the top prize for his series "Preserving Nature as Preserving Ourselves." Laila AnnMarie Stevens received the Newcomer Award for her "Clayton Sisterhood Project," and Valentina Sinis is the first recipient of the Leica Oskar Barnack Women Grant for "The Last Butterflies." The awards, presented at the World of Leica in Germany, honor photographers exploring significant social, cultural, and environmental themes.
TAKEAWAYS
Damir Faizulin won the main prize for documenting changes in Dagestan.
Laila AnnMarie Stevens earned the Newcomer Award for a series on female solidarity.
Valentina Sinis received the inaugural Women Grant for her project on women in conflict.
The award recognizes projects with meaningful storytelling beyond technical skill.