Run and Seek

• Prize
  Silver in Analog / Film/Editorial / Journalism
• Photographer
  Polina Soyref
• Technical Info
  All Captured On Medium Format Film. Camera: Mamiya 6. Film: Ilford Hp5
• Photo Date
  Spring 2025

The Netherlands is one of the few countries in Europe that considers asylum cases from Russian political activists and LGBTQ+ persons. The refugee camp in Dronten is located 75 km from Amsterdam. Despite this camp being considered relatively comfortable and safe, residents share stories about suicides, murders, and assaults, about racism and inequality. In these in-between spaces, people take care of their loved ones and have fun. Those who stay in a camp for more than a year try to imagine futures beyond paperwork and waiting lists.

Polina Soyref is a photographer, born in Russia and currently living and working there. In her pictures, she explores the relationship between people and their experiences, the environment, time, and memory. She works mostly with film and combines documentary and fine art photography. She also works in the field of social journalism.