Winning photos from the Sony World Photography Awards on display in Milan

The images, some of them quite graphic, bear witness to the lives of these farmers and families whose livelihoods depend on this illicit economy shaped by poverty, as well as to the activities of members of the armed group known as the “Comandos de la frontera”, who control the territory and the coca trade.

And while we’re on the subject, as a matter of critical duty, let’s make this clear from the outset: at last, the works on display are properly accessible, and viewing them provides food for thought, as it should; for the comparison with what was presented in London at Somerset House — where the photographs were arranged in a manner that was, to say the least, unusual, if not at times even inexplicable — is entirely in favour of this ‘second Milanese version’ of the exhibition.

Now in their 19th year, the Sony World Photography Awards are one of the most important international events dedicated to contemporary photography. The 2026 edition attracted over 430,000 images from more than 200 countries and territories, confirming the award’s role as a global platform capable of showcasing new talent and established photographers, as well as promoting the power of photography as a universal language for narrating and interpreting the world, and offering an authoritative perspective on the ever-evolving art of photography.

The exhibition will also feature a selection of images from the Professional, Open, Student and Youth competitions, spanning a range of genres and styles: from documentary photography to portraiture, from landscape to nature photography, and including projects focusing on architecture, sport and street photography.

“Bringing the Sony World Photography Awards exhibition back to Italy is a source of great satisfaction for us,” says Stéphane Labrousse, Country Head of Sony in Italy, “because it represents a real opportunity to introduce the Italian public to the best projects in international contemporary photography and to create a meeting point for cultures, languages and perspectives from all over the world. The Sony World Photography Awards portray the world through different perspectives and sensibilities: from established professionals to young talents, from photography schools to enthusiasts. It is precisely this openness that makes the awards a unique project, divided into four categories: Professional, Open, Youth and Student. Finally, I would like to emphasise how the collaboration between Sony and the World Photography Organisation, which has been in place since the award’s inception, reflects the company’s commitment to actively supporting the world of photography: not only through technological innovation, but also by promoting visibility, opportunities and recognition for the international photography community.”

“Photography continues to affirm its fundamental role as a record and repository of contemporary society, allowing us to observe the world, understand it and recognise ourselves in the stories of others,” says Barbara Silbe, “Once again this year, I wanted to create an Italian reinterpretation of the Sony World Photography Awards, building on the London curation but introducing new elements into the exhibition programme at the Diocesan Museum in Milan. The exhibition focuses on the human experience and the major stories of our time: from climate change to human rights, from inequality to science. Alongside the winners of the professional categories, we have chosen to give ample space to emerging photographers, very young photographers and unawarded finalists, because it is precisely from this pool that extraordinary works often emerge that deserve visibility. We also felt it would be interesting to present visitors with a selection of the ‘finalist’ photos – that is, those selected by the British jury for the shortlist but which did not receive awards – because, in this case too, there are images that deserve to be showcased.”

“For Mitsubishi Electric, partnering with the Sony World Photography Awards exhibition represents a concrete commitment to supporting the promotion of visual culture and contributing to the appreciation of contemporary art. As a partner, we believe that technology and our solutions can play an important role not only in the conservation of artworks, but also in enhancing the visitor experience. It is precisely in this context that the Mitsubishi Electric Climatizza l’Arte programme fits in, through which we put our expertise at the service of cultural institutions and projects, developing solutions capable of ensuring controlled and stable environmental conditions. “This approach allows us to provide tangible support to the world of culture, combining innovation, sustainability and responsibility,” says Raffaella Fusetti, Marketing and Communication Manager at Mitsubishi Electric’s Italian subsidiary.

Sony World Photography Awards 2026, curated by Barbara Silbe, Milan, Carlo Maria Martini Diocesan Museum, until 4 October