International Free Zone Authority (IFZA) Dubai and Nikon Middle East and Africa announced the winners of the pioneering ‘Woman, Phenomenally’ contest.
The Nikon MEA photo contest for women, sponsored by IFZA, was launched to celebrate the boundary-pushing, game-changing talent of female photographers in the region.
Winners, Muneera H and Amal Aglan were officially felicitated at a special IFZA Majlis at V Hotel Dubai, which was also live streamed for viewers.
UAE winner Muneera was presented with her prize of a one-year IFZA Dubai free zone business license, Nikon Z 6 camera and NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4S at the event, while regional winner Amal received a one-year IFZA Dubai free zone business license, Nikon Z 5 camera and NIKKOR Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3 via a video-call during the Majlis.
The amazing winning entries were chosen based on the criteria of technical merits, artistic merits, and storytelling, by an all-female panel, which included photography and videography entrepreneur Ausra Osipaviciute and Arya Chitra, the Head of Operations for Nikon Kids Photo Club.
The selection process proved to be exceptionally difficult for the judging panel, as more than 750 spectacular entries flooded in from all over the region, making it one of the most successful contests ever organised by Nikon MEA – a remarkable feat considering the relatively small demographic involved.
Speaking about the success of ‘Woman, Phenomenally’ at the IFZA Majlis, Martin Pedersen, Chairman of IFZA Dubai, said, “It is an honour for IFZA Dubai to be part of this campaign that recognises and rewards the efforts of creative women in the region, to empower them, and turn their creative passion into a profession inside our business-focused community.
“We also celebrate the importance of collaborations that allow us to showcase Dubai’s ability to thrive beyond business. So, we are incredibly grateful to Nikon MEA for walking hand in hand with us in giving phenomenal women a platform to share their stories, and we look forwarding to more collaborations between IFZA Dubai and Nikon soon.”
During his speech at the IFZA Majlis, Narendra Menon, Managing Director of Nikon Middle East FZE, stated, “Not only did we ask the contestants to submit phenomenal photos, but we also asked them for phenomenal photos of phenomenal women with phenomenal stories.
“This competition is unique, in that for the first time ever, storytelling was a major part of the criteria, and we are awestruck at just how well Muneera and Amal have managed to encapsulate the essence of storytelling in their images.”