MOSCOW, February 6 – RIA Novosti. RIA Novosti photographer Ilya Pitalyov has become a finalist in the prestigious international competition the World Photography Organisation Sony World Photography Awards 2013 (SWPA 2013) in the Current Affairs professional category.

Pitalyov submitted a series of photographs covering the celebrations in honor of the 100th anniversary of the birth of Kim Il-sung, founder of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, in Pyongyang in April 2012.

“In bringing together the very best international contemporary photography, the shortlist offers a unique insight into 2012 through the eyes of some of the world’s best emerging and established photography talents,” says a SWPA press release, which published the names of the shortlisted photographers and finalists.

The two other finalists in the same category are Manuel Brabo and Paolo Pellegrin.

The winners in each of the 15 professional categories will be announced at a gala award ceremony in London on April 25.

The photographs by the shortlisted photographers and finalists will be displayed at the Sony World Photography Awards Exhibition 2013, which will be held at Somerset House in London from April 26 to May 12. They will also be published in the Sony World Photography Awards 2013 album.

The World Photography Organisation supports professional, amateur and student photography by providing a broad platform for photographers to socialize, develop and demonstrate modern artistic tendencies in all genres of photography.