Night Photography 1st place winner

This work is an example of the many violations civilians suffer from the many political entanglements. Realized between 2014 and 2016, using light painting technique, it show the disadvantage to live in the dark, in one of the most densely populated areas on earth (comparable to Chicago). For the 1.7million Palestinians living in the Gaza Strip, the basic necessities of daily life are endlessly tied to politics. Gaza’s energy supply is dependent on sales from Egypt, Israel and the rival Palestinian Authority of the West Bank. In 2013, a collision of these political forces resulted in the increasing of fuels price, overflow of raw sewage, unprecedented flooding from winter storms, and over 20hour long blackouts. The Gaza Strip is dependent on electricity, primarily purchased from Israel and Egypt. Only about 30% of this demand was met by the power plant, now destroyed by airstrikes during the last war.

Gianluca Panella is an award-winning independent photojournalist focused on social reportage, current affairs, and portraits. He has traveled to the Balkans, Egypt, Haiti, Lebanon, South Sudan, Kiribati, Morocco, the United States, Europe, Israel and the Palestinian Territories. His photography has been featured in a variety of Italian and international publications. He is a 2014 World Press Photo Award winner.
Among his works, “Gaza’s Fishing Under Fire” was shortlisted for Amnesty International’s 2014 Media Awards. “First Day” and “Parkour Strip,” won honorable mentions at the 2013 International Photography Awards, “Gjakmarrje” earned him two honorable mentions at the 2012 International Photo Awards, and “The Concordia Show” was awarded an honorable mention at the 2012 International Photo Awards and the Foto8 Summershow. He was a finalist for the Leica Award 2013 and the Leica Talent 2012. His exhibitions have included “Caliber 3” at the 2013 Festival of Ethical Photography and The “Concordia Show” at the “A World Elsewhere” with the Royal Shakespeare Company. He is a member of Italy’s National Order of Journalists since 2004.