Bronze / 2024 / Press / Political

The Protests Where Heartbreak Meets Hope

This is the most crucial protest to attend. It is a daily struggle for life and peace, between helplessness and hope. While their loved ones are in captivity, Ifat Kalderon and Einav Zangauker fiercely lead, along with a group of hostages’ families, daily protests in front of the IDF HQ. They block the street, read the hostages’ names, and demand their return, an end to the war, and Netanyahu's resignation. These women have transformed from living normal lives to being at the heart of our nation’s most painful struggle, showing graceful leadership in a time when it is especially needed.

Maya Hed was born in Los Angeles and moved to Israel in the late 90s, studying at Kiryat Ono College of Photography. She specializes in portraiture, capturing series of photographs over time using natural light to convey genuine emotions and tell her subjects’ stories. Maya has held solo exhibitions at the Israeli Opera, Hava Rosenberg Gallery, and The Scots Hotel, with her work featured in ten group exhibitions worldwide. She has received awards from competitions like IPA, PX3, BIFA, TIFA, and LICC. Maya also works as a freelance documentarian in Tel Aviv, merging her passion for storytelling

Awards 2023:
PX3 2023- Won a Gold Award.
IPA 2023- Won 2nd place and received an Honorable Mention.
TIFA 2023- Won a Silver and Bronze Award.
BIFA 2023- Won a Gold Award and Honorable Mention.
LICC 2023- Was included in the Official Selection in SHOOT(Photo/Video) for five projects and two were included in the Shot List.

2022:
TIFA 2022- Won a Silver Award and Honorable Mention
BIFA 2022- Won a Silver Award and two Honorable Mentions.
IPA 2022- Received an Honorable Mention.
LICC 2022- Was included in the Official Selection in SHOOT(Photo/Video) for four projects.

2021
Won an Honorable Mention from PX3 - The Prix de la Photographie in Fine Art- Abstract. www.px3.fr/winners/hm/2021/1-102349-21/

Won an Honorable Mention from The International Photography Awards™ in People- Lifestyle. https://www.photoawards.com/winner/zoom.php?eid=8-221921-21

Won an Honorable Mention from Budapest International Foto Awards in People-Lifestyle. https://budapestfotoawards.com/.../social/2021/93-22130-21

Won a Bronze Award from Budapest International Foto Awards in People-Lifestyle. https://budapestfotoawards.com/.../social/2021/93-22131-21

Won an Honorable Mention from Tokyo International Foto Awards in People-Lifestyle. http://www.tokyofotoawards.jp/winners/social/2021/23-30698-21/

Won an Honorable Mention from Tokyo International Foto Awards in People-Lifestyle. http://www.tokyofotoawards.jp/winners/social/2021/23-30511-21/

Was included in the London International Creative Competition Official Selection in SHOOT (Photo/Video). https://licc.uk/winners/winner.php?eid=2-29315-21

Was included in the London International Creative Competition Official Selection in SHOOT (Photo/Video). https://licc.uk/winners/winner.php?eid=2-29318-21