Honorable Mention
A Lifelong Bond
DESCRIPTION
In Mongolia’s Altai Mountains, Kazakh eagle hunters form lifelong bonds with golden eagles weighing up to 7kg. Passed down through generations, this tradition survived Soviet-era repression and remains a powerful symbol of resilience, pride, and harmony between human and animal. Hunters ride with their eagles across vast, unforgiving terrain, showcasing their heritage each year at the Golden Eagle Festival in Ölgii—a vibrant tribute to identity and survival. AUTHOR
Self-taught photographer and traveler, Thibault Gerbaldi has self-published seven books across five continents. His work earned top honors at Siena, PX3, TPOTY, Monovision, and more. In 2025, three of his images were selected for Leica’s centennial exhibit in Wetzlar, chosen from over one million submissions. Featured in LFI, All About Photo, and LENS Magazine, his photography captures emotion, resilience, and the quiet strength of everyday life. A board member since 2019, he funds solidarity projects through donations linked to the dissemination of his books and photographic prints, outside of any commercial framework. 