HUAWEI XMAGE AWARDS 2024 honour the best images that capture human moments

Photographers from Middle East and Africa Make Their Mark as Runner-Up Winners

HUAWEI has announced the winners of the HUAWEI XMAGE Awards 2024 on November 27 during a ceremony held as part of the A Heartwarming World Annual Exhibition in China. A total of 66 works received awards, including 3 Grand Prize Winners, 18 Best-in-Category Winners, 38 Runner-up Winners, 3 Honourable Mentions, 2 Best of Pura Series, and 2 Best of Mate Series were announced. Through diverse perspectives and expressive techniques, these works showcased warmth, tranquillity and brightness from all over the world and conveyed the raw emotions and strength of ordinary people.

He Gang, CEO of Huawei Consumer Business Group, said in his speech: “I would like to extend my warm congratulations to the winners tonight and pay tribute to creators of the mobile imaging era. I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to HUAWEI XMAGE users– each of you has made HUAWEI XMAGE go beyond being a tool for documenting life, evolving it into a bridge for emotional communication between people.”

Celebrating Mobile Photography
The XMAGE Awards, a prestigious event now in its eighth year, has seen participation from over 170 countries and regions. In 2024, the competition garnered submissions from 86 countries, with the Middle East and Africa region showing remarkable engagement, especially from countries such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Mauritius, and South Africa. A total of over 650,000 entries were received globally, further cementing the event’s position as one of the most influential mobile imaging competitions in the world. The most popular smartphone models used by XMAGE Awards photographers are the HUAWEI Pura 70 Series, P60 Series, P40 Series, and Mate 60 Series.

Two photographers from the MEA region, Sadek Khafagy from Egypt and Joel Capillaire from Mauritius, were recognised as Runner-up Winners for their exceptional submissions.

Sadek Khafagy’s “Islands of Stillness” captured the tranquil beauty of the Faroe Islands, evoking a sense of solitude and reflection in its peaceful portrayal of nature’s raw beauty.

© Sadek Khafagy (Egypt) – “Islands of Stillness”丨HUAWEI Pura 70 Pro

Joel Capillaire’s “Early Morning in the Mauritian Market” showcases the bustling, vibrant energy of Mauritius’ Port Louis market, perfectly capturing the lively pulse of daily life through the use of long exposure techniques.

© Joel Capillaire (Mauritius) – “Early morning in the Mauritian Market”丨HUAWEI P60 Pro

Photographer of the Year: High Praise from International Judges
Chen Yong from China, Justin Mendoza from the Philippines, and Kinga Choińska from Poland were awarded the Grand Prize and each received a $10,000 Huawei Creation Fund. Their works portray captivating moments in life with unique imagination and creativity, warming people’s hearts.

© Chen Yong (China) – “Catching a Cloud”丨HUAWEI Pura 70 Pro+
Judge’s comment: ” The girl ascending the ladder is a symbol of strength, movement, beauty, vitality, and uniqueness. She rises like a bird in flight, witnessing the sun piercing the clouds. Each of us holds the power to make the world better. Girl, this is your story.” – Chen Xiaobo,9th Vice President of China Photographers Association

©Justin Mendoza（Philippines) – “Pick a Beak”丨HUAWEI P30 Pro
Judge’s comment: ” When a photograph asks questions, it’s an immediate success. This photograph embodies both humour and a great sense of scale, allowing us to consider how big the bird is, and whether or not it’s been caught by the fisherman’s pole. Its power lies within the serendipity of the moment, a well-considered composition, and unique low perspective.” – Keith Ladzinski, National Geographic Photographer and Emmy-Nominated Director

©Kinga Choińska（Poland）- “Sisters”丨HUAWEI P60 Pro
Judge’s comment: ” The warm tones, matching hair accessories, and soft lighting come together nicely in this image to create a calm moment between the sisters. The cosy colour palette gives the scene a friendly and inviting feel, making it easy for viewers to sense the connection they share. It’s a nice reminder of the little moments that bring us together” – James Perolls, Fashion Photographer and Director

Chen Xiaobo, 9th Vice President of China Photographers Association, said: “Mobile Imaging is not just about documenting daily life but should be integrated with deeper observations and more personal philosophical thoughts. Each photograph becomes a part of your own intimate dialogue with the world.”

HUAWEI XMAGE: Building Human Connection through Mobile Photography
Over the years, Huawei has organised global photography tours, released regular mobile photography trend reports, and hosted community-based activities and educational initiatives for photographers. Huawei has always been committed to in-depth interactions with photographers, continuously promoting the cultivation of mobile photography culture, and continues to make its brand a close-knit and welcoming space for all. Through the HUAWEI XMAGE Awards’ global platform, Huawei has built a space for in-depth communication among consumers, bridging the boundaries of region, culture, and language. At the same time, the platform encourages the exchange of human connections and the resonance of heartwarming emotions across the world through photography.