Results of the 18th LFIMálaga International Photography Competition
The jury of 18th International Photography Competition of the French International School of Malaga met to decide between the works received this year around the theme:
«Humanity»
This 2026 edition was a great success with 125 participants from 15 countries, confirming once again the international and cultural dimension of this competition.
Through their photographs, the students offered sensitive, engaged and deeply human perspectives on our society, addressing in particular the notions of memory, fragility, strength, diversity and future.
The jury wishes to commend the high artistic quality of the productions as well as the maturity of the reflections offered by the participants.
2026 Laureates
1st Prize
Meïli VERHEYDE-THENG – 18 years old
Stanislas French High School of Montreal — 
Canada
Photography: «"Its fragility"»
«"Caught in the context of a housing crisis, homeless people become visible to everyone, and yet everyone looks away.
At Lionel-Groulx, late at night, at the intersection of the main metro lines, everyone is trying to get home as quickly as possible and glued to their screens, no one pays attention to those who, according to some, have lost all humanity.
Perhaps unaware that this indifference is proof of their own loss of humanity.»
🥈 2nd Prize
Elia HERBRETEAU ROQUE – 15 years old
Lycée Français Stanislas de Montréal — 🇨🇦 Canada
Photography: "His memory"
«This photo represents a well-known quote from Henri Lacordaire who said: “History is the memory of the world.””
I wanted to highlight the fact that our past mistakes are destined to be repeated if we do not find a solution to them.
The books surrounding the subject represent knowledge of our past history and its diversity across different literary genres. The globe and the books symbolize our history and serve as a reminder of the complexities of our current geopolitical situation.
The book Humanity in peril Fred Vargas's work then seemed to me to be the ideal choice.»
🥉 3rd Prize
Noha BEN SAID – 18 years old
French Descartes High School Rabat — 🇲🇦 Morocco
Photography: «"Its fragility"»
«"In this narrow space, the young body bends, adapts as if forced to conform to the invisible forms that society imposes.
Still unfinished, youth reveals this tension between what it is and what is expected of it. Humans learn to restrain themselves, to fit into frameworks that are not always their own. And yet their gaze wanders.
Facing the light, it carries an ideal, a promise greater than walls. Thus is revealed a fragile humanity, yet animated by an irrepressible desire for freedom.
Between confinement and aspiration, this image reveals the essential tension of humanity: that of a fragile being yet inhabited by the irrepressible desire to reach the light.»
🏅 4th Prize
Joseph VILLEGAS FARAH – 14 years old
Franco-Lebanese High School Beirut — 🇱🇧 Lebanon
Photography: «"Its fragility"»
«"I see, therefore I am responsible.".
Humanity is not a word.
It's a choice, every day.,
between indifference and empathy.
I refuse to be complicit.
I choose to be human.»
The selected students
- Leonardo LIORCA — French Lycée of Barcelona
- Maeva TENA ENES — LFIMálaga
- Julia AMIEL — LFIMálaga
- Rita EL ALAOUI — Lycée Descartes Rabat
- Michel BUTLEWSKI — LFIMálaga
- Ekaterina Dodet Laletina — French Lycée of Barcelona
An international edition
This year again, the competition brought together students from many schools in the French international network.
The 125 participants represented more than 15 countries, demonstrating the cultural richness and international openness promoted by LFIMálaga.
Thanks
We extend our sincere congratulations to all participants for their commitment and creativity.
Our thanks also go to:
- to partner institutions,
- to the accompanying teachers,
- to families,
- as well as to the jury members for their investment in this 2026 edition.
See you next year for a new edition of the LFIMálaga International Photography Competition.
