Afshin Ismaeli (born 1985) is a Kurdish-Norwegian journalist, war photographer, and documentary filmmaker. He is known for his coverage of conflict zones across the Middle East and for his contributions to human rights journalism. He currently works for the Norwegian newspaper Aftenposten.
Early life and education.
Ismaeli was born in Iran and raised in Iraq. He moved to Norway in 2008 and later earned a master's degree in journalism from the University of Oslo. His early life in the Middle East, where he witnessed the effects of war firsthand, heavily influenced his career path as a conflict reporter and visual storyteller.
Career.
Ismaeli began working as a journalist in Erbil, Iraq, in 2003. Over the years, he has reported from various war-torn countries including Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan. His work focuses on the human impact of conflict, particularly among refugees, women, and minority groups.
He joined Aftenposten as a journalist and photographer, where he has produced photo essays and written reports from the frontlines of some of the most dangerous regions in the world. His photographs and stories have appeared in major media outlets and international exhibitions.
Notable work.
In 2021, Ismaeli documented the fall of Kabul to the Taliban, producing a widely circulated photo that won the “Picture of the Year” award in Norway. His reporting has also highlighted the plight of the Yazidi community in Sinjar and Kurdish fighters in Kobane.
Awards and recognition.
- (2019) – Awarded by the Norwegian PEN for outstanding contributions to freedom of expression.
- The Ossietzky Prize for freedom of expression in 2019
- Recognition as “International Reporter of the Year” (honorable mention) in 2018 and 2019.
- Video Journalist of the Year in 2019. 
- (Norway) (2021)– For a photograph taken during the fall of Kabul.