Wildebeest by Singaporean photographer William Chua, winner of The Pano Awards Southeast Asia Open Photographer of the Year 2025, captures the raw intensity of Kenya’s great migration in stunning panoramic detail.
Southeast Asia’s creative force shone brightly at the 16th Epson International Pano Awards, the world’s largest showcase for panoramic photography, as Epson celebrated this year’s winners and the region’s remarkable presence on the global stage.
As the competition continues to push the boundaries of panoramic storytelling, Epson highlighted the surge of world-class talent from Southeast Asia—a momentum strengthened since Epson Southeast Asia joined as joint major sponsor last year. Leading this year’s regional triumphs is Singaporean photographer William Chua, crowned Southeast Asia Open Photographer of the Year 2025 for his powerful image, Wildebeest, a sweeping panoramic capture that freezes a dramatic instant amid the famed migration.
Chua described the scene as one that continues to inspire him, saying he was drawn to a single wildebeest that turned back against the flow—a fleeting moment that carried both tension and quiet poetry.
Silk of the Sea by Cao Thi Ngoc Diem, finalist of The Pano Awards Southeast Asia Open Photographer of the Year 2025, capturing silk washing in Phu Yen Vietnam.
Epson Southeast Asia Regional Managing Director Siew Jin Kiat noted that the region’s strong showing reflects the rising influence and imagination of Southeast Asian visual artists. He emphasized Epson’s continued commitment to empowering creators by championing print as a medium that preserves the full emotional and technical depth of panoramic work.
This year’s prize pool—contributed by Epson Southeast Asia and Epson Australia—included professional-grade printers such as the Epson SureColor P5360, P5330, and P906, along with the Epson EB-1795F ultra-slim projector, tools designed to bring high-impact visual storytelling to life with precision and longevity.
Dune II by Athimeth Lerdkkitveruj, finalist of The Pano Awards Southeast Asia Open Photographer of the Year 2025.
Southeast Asian photographers shine worldwide
The 2025 competition showcased exceptional creativity from across the region, with Southeast Asian photographers unveiling powerful landscapes, cultural narratives, and adventurous scenes. Vietnam delivered an especially impressive performance, claiming 6 of the 10 finalist slots in the Southeast Asia Open Photographer of the Year category.
Regional finalists also ventured far beyond their borders. Thailand’s Athimeth Lerdkkitveruj transported viewers to the mystical deserts of Namibia, using scale, light, and sweeping composition to turn a remote landscape into an immersive, cinematic frame.
Together, these artists highlight the growing mastery and ambition emerging from Southeast Asia—a region rapidly solidifying its place in the upper tiers of global panoramic photography.
A Global Competition Growing in Scale and Vision
Competition Curator David Evans noted a broader range of artistic voices this year, with boundary-pushing approaches and fresh perspectives reinforcing the panoramic format as one of today’s most dynamic storytelling tools. With strong participation from the region and the continued partnership of Epson Southeast Asia and Epson Australia, the awards’ global reach continues to expand.
Now on its 16th year, the Epson International Pano Awards remains a premier celebration of both technical skill and creative vision, judged by leading panoramic photographers and industry veterans from around the world.
The full gallery of winners and top-ranking images is available at: thepanoawards.com/2025-winners-gallery.
For published images, please credit each photographer and include: “The 16th Epson International Pano Awards” and the website thepanoawards.com.
