World Press Photo Contest winners cast a lens on resilience, pain and bliss

Young dancers from the Joburg Ballet School backstage at the Soweto Theatre prepare for their year-end performance. Soweto, South Africa. December 7, 2025.

A selection of prize honorees from the 2026 World Press Photo Contest capture the pain of the past year — but also focus on moments of strength, determination and joy.

(Image credit: Ihsaan Haffejee for GroundUp)