In each of the six regions of our contest model, a selection of entries per category will first be made by a regional jury, chaired by the regional jury chair.
The juries are made up of professionals from and/or working in the region they are judging, who are well-equipped to place the stories into a cultural, political and social context.
Once the regional juries have made their selection of entries, the global jury, composed of the six regional jury chairs and one additional member, the global jury chair, decides on the 2026 World Press Photo Contest winners. From those, they will then choose the World Press Photo of the Year and the two finalists.
The global jury is assisted by a secretary. The secretary is responsible for all procedural matters and ensures the rules and procedures are fairly and properly applied. The secretary does not contribute to debate on the merits of any entry, and has no vote in the balloting.
Global jury chair
Kira Pollack,
United States,
Harvard Shorenstein Center fellow
"At a time when truth feels increasingly fragile and contested, visual journalism stands as one of our most powerful tools for bearing witness and creating understanding. Photography has a unique ability to transcend language and borders, to shift perspectives, and to move policymakers and public alike toward action. The work of photojournalists around the world—often done at great personal risk—has never been more vital to our collective understanding of reality. I'm honored to serve as Global Jury Chair for the 2026 World Press Photo Contest, and I look forward to engaging with the exceptional work submitted from every corner of the globe, and to the thoughtful conversations with our distinguished jury members as we recognize the photographers who are shaping how we see and comprehend our world." - Kira Pollack
Stay tuned for the announcement of the full 2026 World Press Photo Contest jury.
