Iranian photographers shine at Florida museum awards
Iranian photographers Majid Hojjati and Armin Amirian took top honors at the 2025 International Photography Awards hosted by the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts (FMoPA), the museum announced on Monday.
The annual contest, held in Tampa and regarded as one of the most prestigious of its kind in the United States, drew more than 2,500 submissions from 55 countries. This year’s jury, composed of art and photography experts, highlighted innovation, cultural storytelling, and contemporary technique.
Hojjati clinched the grand prize in the main competition with his image ‘Eid Prayer,’ which also won first place in the People/Portrait category. His second photograph, ‘Stream of Life,’ topped the Places/Landscape division.
Amirian earned first prize in the Conceptual Photography category with a piece from his latest series. The museum described the work as “visually daring” and praised its nuanced cultural themes.
FMoPA, one of only ten dedicated photography museums in the US, focuses on pushing the boundaries of photographic art. The museum will showcase the winning entries in a public exhibition running from July 15 through September 7 at its downtown Tampa location in Ybor City.
The awards aim to spotlight global voices in visual storytelling. Organizers say this year’s winners “pushed the envelope” in portraying human experience through the lens.