The Last Butterflies
As airstrikes and missile exchanges redraw the balance of power between Iran, Israel, and the United States, I embedded with an all-female Kurdish guerrilla unit in the mountains along the Iran–Iraq border. In caves carved from rock, they train, wait, and watch events unfold inside Iran. They speak of freedom, sacrifice, and the possibility of rupture. Through intimate access, this project captures women preparing for history as it shifts around them — balancing armed readiness with belief in equality and self-determination.
Bio
Valentina Sinis is an Italian documentary photographer whose work focuses on women, conflict,and resistance. Through long-term projects,she explores identity, autonomy, and survival in regions shaped by political instability and war. Her approach combines intimate storytelling with a strong ethical commitment to the people she photographs, often working in close collaboration with her subjects.She has documented women’s lives in Afghanistan under Taliban rule and among Kurdish communities, examining how personal and collective struggles intersect in the fight for freedom and self-determination
Awards
From 2018 to April 2021 in the VII mentorship program
In 2019, Valentina was selected as one of the 6X6 Europe Talents, by World Press Photo
2020 Honourable Mentions FotoAward - Marilyn Stafford
Female in Focus 2020, Winner
2020 National Geographic Fund for Journalists recipient.
2021 POY Award of Excellence for Issue Reporting Picture Story
2024 Festival Off Arles
2024 Winner Les Rencontres de la Photographie Marrakech
2024 un/fund shortlist
2025 Photofrome exhibition
2025 Zeke Award honourable mention
2025 Istabul Photo Award Story Daily Life 1st Prize Winner
2025 Fotografia al femminile I AM IO SONO 1st prize short story
2025 AAP Magazine #46 Women Second Place Winner
2025 finalist German Peace Prize for Photography
2025 finalist Global Peace Photo Award
2025 InCadaques winner
2025 Second finalist 2025 The Luis Valtueña International Humanitarian Photography Award
2025 Finalist Berlin Photo Festival
2025 Shortlisted Belfast Photo Festival
2025 Finalist Siena International Photo Awards
2026 AAP Magazine#55 Particular Merit Mention
2026 Shortlisted The Royal Photographic Society
International Photography Exhibition 167
2026 Finalist winning Wars Award
2026 Kolga Tbilisi award shortlisted with 2 projects
2026 Athens Photo Festival shortlisted
