The Asturias International Photojournalism Gathering has established itself as a globally significant event for both professionals and the general public. The figures for the upcoming edition—taking place in Gijón from October 1 to 3 and presented today at City Hall—confirm this success.
According to its director, photojournalist Álex Zapico, “This year, marking our twentieth anniversary, our commitment to expanding and internationalizing the Gathering has been more than fulfilled. The call for entries for the 2026 Humanist Photography Award received 134 submissions from 118 photography professionals. This represents a 200% increase and more than triple the participation of the previous edition. We received proposals from 31 countries across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas, submitted by distinguished professionals—including three Pulitzer Prize winners, five World Press Photo award recipients, and a total of at least ten winners from various editions of the World Press Photo contest.” The award’s prize money has also increased, rising to €3,000 for the winning entry, with an additional €1,000 for a Special Jury Prize.
There is also significant interest in the photojournalism workshop and the ten scholarships offered to young photographers, which attracted over 150 applications. As Zapico noted, “It is no surprise, given that the selected participants will have the privilege of being guided by professionals of the caliber of Olmo Calvo, Anna Surinyach, Alfonso Bauluz, Ricardo García Vilanova, Amina Fall, and Diego Ibarra.”
This edition also places a special focus on education through activities at various schools, such as film screenings, meetings with directors, and guided tours for hundreds of students of the exhibition *Ninguna vida a la deriva* (“No Life Adrift: 10 Years Aboard the Open Arms”). The Open Arms organization—led by director Óscar Camps—has been an active participant in the Gathering since last year. This exhibition is complemented by five others: the Luis Valtueña Awards, Doctors of the World, the Humanist Photography Award, *Gaza Menus*, *Inside ICE: Immigration Control Propaganda*, and *Travel Perspectives*.
Panel discussions and talks will focus on humanist cinema, mental health in humanitarian crises, the work of photojournalists, human rights within the geopolitics of conflict, and the intersection of sports and feminism. Participants will include figures such as journalist Vicente Romero, Senegalese sports photographer Amina Fall, activist Óscar Camps, and film director Guillermo Galoe.
It is a necessary gathering because, as Zapico added, “one can look, but one must also learn *how* to look.”
The event—taking place at various locations across the city, including cultural, educational, and urban sites like the Port of Gijón, the School of Commerce, the Jovellanos Institute, the Jovellanos Theatre, the School of Hospitality, the Paseo de Begoña, and other regional centers—serves as a cultural, educational, and professional platform dedicated to imagery, visual journalism, and the humanist perspective. It is organized by B-Live in collaboration with Doctors of the World Spain, Open Arms, *5W* magazine, and Reporters Without Borders.
During the presentation, Montserrat López Moro, Gijón’s Councilor for Culture, Museums, and Creative Industries, highlighted “how this cultural project has grown, transformed, and successfully explored new paths, achieving a reach that transcends our borders.” For his part, Pepe Fernández Díaz, Secretary General of Doctors of the World Spain—proud of the organization’s growing collaboration with the Gathering—highlighted the need for photojournalism, noting that it ensures the reproduction of images in a manner that respects those who are suffering. It is a profession aligned with human rights, solidarity, and commitment.
Meanwhile, Lara Martínez Fernández, Deputy Minister of Tourism for the Government of the Principality of Asturias, congratulated the Gathering’s organizers for creating a space for reflection, analysis, calm, and commitment—a place to learn how to truly see.
The event was also attended by Antón García, Director General of Cultural Action and Linguistic Normalization, one of the entities sponsoring the Gathering.
