We are pleased to present the results of the 18th edition of the Rovinj Photodays international photography competition. Following a record-breaking number of submissions and a thorough judging process, we proudly announce the finalists and the winner of this year’s Grand Prix.

This year’s competition, which closed on March 5th, received over 3,900 photographs from artists across 36 countries, once again reaffirming the international significance of the festival and its role in promoting contemporary photography.

About the Jury

The 2025 expert jury was composed of distinguished professionals in the fields of photography, curating, and visual arts:

  • Sabina Salamon – Senior Curator, Photography Collection, MMSU Rijeka, Jury President (Croatia)
  • Dino Rekanović – Founder of ROTLICHT Festival and Gallery Manager at Photon, Vienna (Austria)
  • Stefania Rössl – Photographer and Director of the SIFEST Festival (Italy)
  • Massimo Sordi – Photographer and Co-Director of SIFEST Festival (Italy)
  • Ján Viazanička – Photographer, curator, and Editor-in-Chief of dokumentmagazin.sk (Slovakia)
  • Dubravka Lazić – Artist, Professor (Serbia)

The jury was tasked with selecting finalists in six competition categories, as well as the overall winner – the recipient of the Rovinj Photodays 2025 Grand Prix. Jury members were granted full autonomy in selecting the number and composition of finalists, ensuring a high-quality final exhibition.

“The international jury of Rovinj Photodays reviewed nearly four thousand images submitted from 36 countries. In addition to well-known names and long-time friends of the festival, we discovered a remarkable number of new authors, which is particularly exciting for this 18th edition. The selection process was far from easy, but we are very satisfied with the results and look forward to presenting these outstanding works that interpret the themes of all six categories in exceptional ways. Congratulations to all the authors – we look forward to meeting you in May.” — Sabina Salamon, Jury President

Finalists come from the following countries:

Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, China, Croatia, France, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Spain (Canary Islands), Ukraine

Final Exhibition in Rovinj

During the festival, held on May 16 and 17, 2025, a group exhibition of all finalists will take place — the central highlight of this year’s edition.
The Grand Prix winner will be officially announced during the closing night ceremony on May 17 at Island Hotel Katarina.

Awards and Recognitions

  • Online presentation of finalists and artist statements on the official festival website
  • Inclusion of selected works in the permanent digital archive of the museum
  • Official diplomas for all finalists and winners
  • Digital catalogue of the final exhibition
  • Complimentary accommodation for finalists at Island Hotel Katarina
  • All category winners receive the Kadar award statuette

Grand Prix Photodays 2025

  • Cash prize of €2,000
  • Solo exhibition and catalogue at Rovinj Photodays 2026
  • Complimentary accommodation in Rovinj at Island Hotel Katarina in 2025 and 2026
  • Work included in the museum’s archive under curatorial care (in digital or printed format)
  • Official title and certificate: Grand Prix Photodays 2025

 

Finalists 2025

BODY / NUDE

  1. Artem Humilevskyi (UA)
  2. Alan Phelan (IE)
  3. Anna Laza (RO)

ARCHITECTURE

  1. Yuxing Chen (CN)
  2. Aldo Feroce (IT)
  3. Fabio D’Arsiè (IT)

DOCUMENTARY PHOTOGRAPHY

  1. ©Aruallan / Hans Lucas Agency (FR)
  2. Karl Mancini (IT)
  3. Maurizio Orlando (BE)

FASHION

  1. Maryna Syrovatka (UA)
  2. Vladimir Tatarević (RS)
  3. Marko Gregurić (HR)

LANDSCAPE

  1. Mitar Simikić (BA)
  2. Mónica Almereyda (MX)
  3. Daniel L. Fleitas (ES)

PORTRAIT

  1. Jean-Marc Caimi & Valentina Piccinni (FR / IT)
  2. Mitar Simikić (BA)
  3. Yixi Tian (CN)

 

EXHIBITION OF FINALISTS