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Photojournalism: The “Marai Photo Grant” is back, with the 2025 edition focused on raising awareness about climate change
After a three-year hiatus, the “Marai Photo Award” becomes the “Marai Photo Grant” in 2025. The award is organised by Agence France-Presse in honour of Shah Marai, former photo chief at AFP in Kabul. Shah Marai, who was an inspiration for Afghan photographers throughout his career, was killed in the line of duty at the age of 41 in a suicide attack on April 30, 2018 in Kabul.
The “Marai Photo Grant” is open to photographers from South Asia, aged 25 or under, around the concept “My reality. Now.”, and the theme chosen for the 2025 edition is climate change. The two winners, one woman and one man, will be awarded a grant and photographic equipment. They will also be assigned a mentor from among AFP’s photographers to help them complete their project.
The theme of climate change seemed clear to AFP since it is a major issue for the planet. Participants are invited to submit photo reportage proposals illustrating the impact of climate change on their daily lives and their community, in order to raise awareness of this major issue.
Applications will be open from November 15 to December 13 and the awards ceremony will take place in April 2025 during a tribute to Shah Marai. The jury for the 2025 edition is composed of five members: Mladen Antonov, AFP photo editor for the Asia-Pacific region and jury chair; Ami Vitale, a photographer who contributes to National Geographic magazine; Palani Mohan, a World Press Photo award-winning photographer; Aparupa Dey, a renowned photographer based in India; and Emmanuel Pionnier, AFP Tokyo bureau chief.
You can access the competition website at: http://maraiphotoaward.com
