The Sony World Photography Awards 2026 Photographs Arrive at the Carlo Maria Martini Diocesan Museum in Milan

Among the most important photography competitions in the world are the Sony World Photography Awards 2026, which represent a benchmark and a way for photographers to gain recognition and showcase their skills while also spreading messages related to different contexts and issues. After the award ceremony in London, some of the photographs will now be exhibited in various contexts in different countries, and in Italy, they can be admired at the Carlo Maria Martini Diocesan Museum in Milan.

The announcement of the news was made by Sony, with the opening of the exhibition (curated by Barbara Silbe) that took place today (June 10) and will continue until October 4, 2026. Visitors will find a selection of winning and finalist images from the latest edition of the contest organized by the World Photography Organisation, with the Japanese producer as the main partner.

Barbara Silbe (curator of the Italian exhibition) stated, "Photography continues to confirm its fundamental role as a witness and memory of contemporary society, allowing us to observe the world, understand it, and recognize ourselves in the stories of others. This year I wanted to create an Italian reinterpretation of the Sony World Photography Awards, starting from the London curation but introducing new elements into the exhibition path of the Diocesan Museum of Milan. The exhibition centers on the human experience and the great stories of our time: from climate change to rights, from inequalities to science. Alongside the winners of the professional categories, we chose to also give ample space to emerging talents, very young individuals, and non-awarded finalists, because extraordinary works often emerge from that pool that deserve visibility. We also thought it was interesting to present visitors with a selection of finalist photos, selected by the English jury for the candidates' shortlist, but which did not receive awards, because in this case too, there are images that deserve to be valued."

The photos from the Sony World Photography Awards 2026 have collected over 430,000 photographs from more than 200 countries and territories, allowing many people to feel the excitement of reaching the finals and gaining international recognition. As explained by the organizers, the award confirms its role as a global platform capable of enhancing new talents and established photographers, alongside promoting the power of photography as a universal language for storytelling and interpretation of the world, offering an authoritative perspective on the ever-evolving art of photography.

Within the exhibition at the Carlo Maria Martini Diocesan Museum in Milan, works by Citlali Fabián, winner of the Photographer of the Year 2026 title with the project "Bilha, Stories of my Sisters" are included. Fabián tells a story through images made of traditions, identity, memory, and local culture, reflecting on indigenous communities and traditions.

Visitors to the Sony World Photography Awards 2026 exhibition will appreciate four Italian photographers who placed on the podium in three different categories of the Professional award. Jean-Marc Caimi and Valentina Piccinni, winners in the Portrait category with the series "The Faithful", and Federico Borrella in third place in the same category with the series "Koryo-Saram: How Descendants of Deported USSR Koreans Are Rediscovering Their Roots in Uzbekistan". Then there is Matteo Trevisan, who came in second place in the Environment category with the series titled "Jinê Land: Where Women Keep the Earth Alive", and Daniele Vita, in third place in the Still Life category with the series "The Bronte Pistachio". Additionally, there is also a photograph by Giulia Pissagroia, who won in the Street Photography category of the Open award.

To further enrich the exhibition at the Carlo Maria Martini Diocesan Museum in Milan, there will be a selection of shots from the Professional, Open, Student, and Youth categories, highlighting different situations, techniques, and styles that intertwine to give an overview of contemporary global photography.

Regarding prices and times, daytime admission runs from Tuesday to Sunday (closed on Mondays), from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Entry is from Piazza Sant'Eustorgio 3. Tickets cost 9 euros for the full price, 7 euros for reduced tickets, and 23 euros for families (2 adults + a maximum of 4 youths aged 7-18 years). Access with the Lombardy Museums Subscription is not permitted.

For evening admission, it is available from Monday to Sunday, from 5:30 PM to 10:30 PM (last entry at 10:00 PM). In this case, entry is from Corso di Porta Ticinese 95. Tickets cost 12 euros and include admission to the exhibition and one drink at InChiostro Bistrot. Reservations for evening entry cannot be made. Detailed information is also available on the official website.