Winners announced for 2025 Youth Photographic Award & Short Film Prize

Published on 27 August 2025

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Charlotte Stewart, Year 9, Ascham - On The Cover Of Vogue - Mayors Choice Junior First Prize

Winner of the The Youth Photographic Award People's Choice Award

The votes are in! The 2025 Youth Photographic Award People's Choice winner is Liwen Dang, Yr 11, Sydney Boys High School, with the entry Sugar Rush.

The winning photographer has won an award of $150. Congratulations!

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Sugar Rush, Liwen Dang, Yr 11, Sydney Boys High School - 2025 Senior entry, Winner: People's Choice Award

Stunning imagery, impressive artistic vision and technical expertise is showcased in the winning entries from student photographers and filmmakers in Woollahra Council’s 2025 Youth Photographic Award and Short Film Prize.

More than 180 photo and short film entries were submitted by students from 14 different high schools for the annual competition.

Now in its 32nd year, the Youth Photographic Award and Short Film Prize celebrates the creativity of local high school students from Years 7 to 12, providing an opportunity to reach a broader audience and win cash prizes from a total pool of $2,100.

Winners received their awards at a special presentation ceremony held at Woollahra Gallery at Redleaf on 27 August.

View the Photographs and Short Films

All the photographs and short films will be exhibited at the Gallery until 14 September. All entries are also available to view through the Gallery’s website.

Congratulations to the Winners

The Senior Photography Prize was awarded to Ascham School student Eva Bourke for her work Facades; Xiaoxi Hu of Ascham School was awarded the Junior Prize for Under the Mask and The Scots College student Edward Green’s Hark Back received the Short Film Prize.

Ty Ty by Ralph Deacon from Inner City High School received the Mayor’s Choice Award Senior category prize and On the Cover of Vogue by Charlotte Stewart from Ascham School won the Mayor’s Choice Award Junior category.

The Judges' Comments

Exhibition Curator, UNSW student Sky Zhou, highlighted the students’ courage and sincerity. "Some are quiet reflections; others are sudden sparks of thought," she said, encouraging all the entrants to, "Imagine all that is still to come, letting your stories light the way ahead."

Photographic judge, artist Tiyan Baker, noted the, "Adeptly engaging" and "beautiful, crisp and thoughtfully composed" imagery in this year’s submissions.

Short Film judge, filmmaker Samuel Allen said: "I've been very impressed with the quality of the entries. There's a really wonderful and interesting set of concerns expressed in this body of work. I look forward to seeing where this cohort of filmmakers goes in the future."

"So Impressed"

Woollahra Mayor Sarah Dixson praised the students’ creativity and high quality of all entries.

"I’m so impressed with the calibre of work submitted to this year’s competition - the complexity, imagination and talent evident in all entries is wonderful to see. The students should be immensely proud of what they have produced. Congratulations to all entrants and winners," Mayor Dixson said.

"I would also like to acknowledge the many teachers and schools supporting the Prize and fostering their talented students. It’s fantastic to see that the number of schools participating continues to grow."

An Event Not to Miss!

Woollahra Gallery is also hosting a free Creative Careers Panel on 6 September, 2 - 3.30pm, featuring a dynamic panel discussion aimed at students and those starting their creative journey. Hear from artists and creatives working across film, theatre and more as they share insights, advice and personal stories about breaking into the industry.

Further information and book your spot!

Don't miss the Youth Photographic Award and Short Film Prize Exhibition

The winning photos and films, together with all of this year's entries, are now on display at Woollahra Gallery at Redleaf.

The free exhibition is open now and will run until Sunday 14 September at the Woollahra Gallery at Redleaf, with all entries available to view online through the Gallery’s website.

Woollahra Gallery is open Wednesday 1 - 6pm, Thursday to Friday 10am - 6pm and Saturday and Sunday 10am - 5pm at 548 New South Head Road, Double Bay. Admission is free.

Vote for the People's Choice Award

Voting for the $150 People's Choice Award is open until 11.59pm on Sunday 14 September 2025, giving members of the public the opportunity to vote for their favourite photo via the Woollahra Gallery at Redleaf website. The winner will be announced at the conclusion of the exhibition.

Vote Now!

List of all winners