Bilha, Stories of my Sisters by Citlali Fabián
Citlali
Fabián
Bilha, Stories of my Sisters
Portraits of Indigenous activists and artists in southern Mexico — a children's book in photographs, an act of solidarity, a precedent for a generation without role models.
The Award
Citlali Fabián, a visual artist from the Yalalteca Indigenous community in Mexico, has been named Photographer of the Year at the Sony World Photography Awards 2026 — one of the world's largest and most prestigious photography competitions.
The judging panel hailed her series Bilha, Stories of my Sisters, which focuses on Indigenous activists and artists in southern Mexico, particularly in Oaxaca state. Fabián "uses photography to explore ways of addressing identity and its connections with territory, migration, and community bonds," said the organizers. A selection of images from the awards will be displayed at Somerset House in London from April 17 to May 4.
The competition is now in its 19th year. This edition received more than 430,000 images from more than 200 countries and territories. Alongside Fabián, winners and finalists were chosen across various categories: Joy Saha in architecture and design, Santiago Mesa in documentary projects, and Isadora Romero in environment.
The Winning Series
Bilha,
Stories of my Sisters
Growing up without role models can make it difficult to dream or recognise one's ability to shape the future. This photographic series seeks to create a precedent — through collaboration with activists and artists from various Indigenous communities in southern Mexico, particularly from Oaxaca state.
Their stories offer a glimpse into the world we are living in, and how their roles and work are generating meaningful impact and change in their communities and beyond.
The project is intended to be published as a children's book, with digital illustrations made by the photographer. Fabián also incorporates embroidery into her photographs — a craft passed on to her by her grandmother — to represent the traditions of her Indigenous ancestors.
Mitzy Violeta Cortez
Indigenous Futures Network
Part of Indigenous Futures, a network discussing the climate crisis from the perspective of Indigenous peoples. Participated in forums including COP26 and COP30. In Fabián's portrait, Mitzy is represented with her ancestors and future generations as a united front in the defence of their territory.
"
This work is for us, more than for the outside world. At the end, it is a way to reconnect us. I like the idea to create a dialogue over the images.
Citlali Fabián
About the Photographer
Citlali Fabián
A visual artist from the Yalalteca Indigenous community in Mexico — specifically from Yalálag, a Zapotec community in the Sierra Norte of Oaxaca. She was raised in Oaxaca City, surrounded by Yalaltec culture, and has since documented communities across Mexico and in Los Angeles, where the largest Oaxacan diaspora outside of Oaxaca lives.
In her recent work, Fabián incorporates illustration into her photographs, adding layers of meaning that more closely reflect what her collaborators share with her. She also uses embroidery — a craft passed on by her grandmother — to represent the traditions of her ancestors.
As a person from the Global South, one of her main goals is to strengthen agency in the representation of the people she collaborates with: "It is essential that those who have historically been underrepresented feel heard, respected, and actively involved in the way they are portrayed."
Recognition
Zapotec word
tequio
Everyone in the community has to work for the community. Public works are made by the people — no one receives payment for doing that. It is something that everyone does at some point in their lives. Fabián's photography carries this ethos: the work belongs to the community it depicts, and the community shapes the work in return.
2026 Competition Highlights
Photographer of the Year
Citlali Fabián
Bilha, Stories of my Sisters
Architecture & Design
Joy Saha
Category Winner
Documentary Projects
Santiago Mesa
Category Winner
Environment
Isadora Romero
Category Winner
About the Competition
Sony World Photography Awards & World Photography Organisation
World Photography Organisation is a leading global platform dedicated to the development and advancement of photographic culture. Its programming and competition initiatives provide valuable opportunities for artists working in photography and help broaden the conversation around their work.
The Sony World Photography Awards, established in 2007, is the organisation's principal programme — one of the world's biggest and most prestigious photography competitions. The exhibition at Somerset House, London (April 17 to May 4) brings the winning and shortlisted images to a wide public audience annually.
World Photography Organisation is the photography strand of Creo, responsible for delivering initiatives across three sectors: photography, film, and contemporary art.
Yasnaya Elena Aguilar
Yasnaya is an Ayuujk linguist, writer and activist who advocates for language diversity and indigenous rights. Here, Yasnaya is represented with her grandma and great grandma, the pillars of her education and her guides to seeing the world. The ‘ää’ represents the seeds she has planted to protect and preserve her native language.
© Citlali Fabian, United Kingdom, Photographer of the Year, Professional Competition, Creative, 2026 Sony World Photography Awards
Malena Rios
Malena is a saxophonist, feminist and women's rights defender, originally from Santo Domingo Tonala, Oaxaca. She became the face against women's violence after suffering an acid attack and her campaigns promoted a law to protect women from this type of attack. The text on this image reads: ‘They wanted to see us burn, they didn't know we are fire.’
© Citlali Fabian, United Kingdom, Photographer of the Year, Professional Competition, Creative, 2026 Sony World Photography Awards
© Citlali Fabián, Duxherha yoochau xtaullo ka, My body is the territory where my ancestors live, 2021.