Sudanese Photographer Mosab Abushama Awarded for ‘Life Won’t Stop’ in the 2025 World Press Photo Contest
Mosab Abushama, a photographer, filmmaker, and visual storyteller from Sudan, has been awarded in the 2025 World Press Photo Contest for his photograph, ‘Life Won’t Stop’.
‘The groom poses for a portrait at his wedding in Omdurman, Sudan. In Sudan, announcing a wedding with celebratory gunfire is a tradition. The weapon symbolises both the joy of marriage and the reality of war,’ stated the World Press Photo.
In January 2024, Abushama was asked by a friend to document his wedding in Omdurman, a city that has been devastated and constantly by the war in Sudan, which began on 15 April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). As a result, Sudan is currently the world’s biggest humanitarian crisis. The conflict has displaced over 12 million people and left more than 150,000 dead. This includes approximately 8.9 million internally displaced within Sudan and 3.4 million who have sought refuge in neighboring countries such as Egypt, Chad, and South Sudan. According to the UN, over 30 million people – including 16 million children – are in urgent need of humanitarian aid.
Photo of the Day | The groom poses for a portrait at his wedding. In Sudan, announcing a wedding with celebratory gunfire is a tradition. See ‘Life Won’t Stop by @_abushama, awarded in the #WPPh2025 Contest: https://t.co/nQIXVz1gTG pic.twitter.com/8dwnC8LoN7
— World Press Photo (@WorldPressPhoto) April 12, 2025
World Press Photo awarded 42 winners, including Abushama, who was named a regional winner among the Africa category. The Africa Jury Chair is renowned Sudanese photographer Ala Kheir. ‘All of the winning images had something special–a different and completely unique voice to understanding the continent better. I hope the diversity of images will allow the viewer to think not only about the major events that happened on the continent, but also everyday Africa,’ he said.
From over 59,000 entries, submitted by 3,778 photographers from 141 countries, the awarded works document some of the most pressing issues facing the world today, from politics, gender, and migration, to conflict, and the climate crisis.
Abushama is currently pursuing a Master of Fine Arts at the School of Visual Arts in New York City, where he continues to refine his voice as a filmmaker and photographer. Abushama began his career as a visual artist amidst the socio-political upheavals in Sudan, where his phone camera became a vital instrument to document both the beauty of everyday life and the brutal realities of war and displacement. His photography project Tadween, has garnered international acclaim, earning Mosab prestigious awards and grants, including support from the Arab Documentary Photography Program (AFAC) in partnership with the Magnum Foundation, and the Prince Claus Fund. Abushama is also a 2024 Tasweer Photography Project award recipient.
The 2025 World Press Photo of the Year winner and two finalists will be announced on 17 April 2025.
For more information about the photograph, visit worldpressphoto.org/collection/photo-contest/2025/Mosab-Abushama/1, and for more information about Mosab Abushama, visit worldpressphoto.org/mosab-abushama.
