Winner Announcement: June 18–21, 2026
Winners of the Impact Prize, Jury Prize, and People’s Choice Prize will be announced live at the Ostuni Foto Festival (June 18–21, 2026)

Sarah Gilbert

Features photo editor at The Guardian

Sarah Gilbert is features photo editor at the Guardian newspaper with over 20 years experience in print and online work.

Previously a photo editor for Conde Nast, UK, based magazines, book publishers and newspapers, and spent several years in NYC as the Guardian US Photo Editor.

A regular juror on leading photography competitions, and participant on portfolio reviews throughout Europe, America and Africa, she was a mentor on the Women Photograph programme, is a lead on the Guardian positive action scheme, and guest lectures at London Universities.

Her specific areas of interest include portraiture and long-form projects, photo-documentary that focuses on economic and social issues, especially from emerging artists and under-represented communities.

Sarah always hopes to see work that is thoughtful, clever and surprising, shows empathy with the subjects, and is of course – beautiful.