Emerging Voices Awards

The Financial Times and OppenheimerFunds presented their inaugural Emerging Voices Awards to Yuhang Ho of Malaysia in the film category, Chigozie Obioma of Nigeria for fiction and Cristina Planas of Peru for art. The gala event marked a high point in the months-long competition among more than 800 artists from 65 emerging-market nations around the globe.

«The winners impressed our panels of judges with their creativity and how they represent a voice of their respective regions,» said Michael Skapinker, associate editor of the Financial Times and chair of the judges. «Sharing their outstanding talent with a global audience has been both a true pleasure and great honour for our judges and for the Financial Times.» 

Yuhang Ho won the Emerging Voices film award for «Trespassed;» Chigozie Obioma won the Emerging Voices fiction award for «The Fishermen;» and Cristina Planas won the Emerging Voices art award for «Vultures,» «Table of Negotiations,» «Mass Grave,» and «Coloured Christ.» Each of the winners received a $40,000 award along with the global recognition.

«With so much focus in financial markets on the emerging world, there couldn’t be a better time for this vivid reminder of the tremendous accomplishments and limitless potential of developing nations,» said Justin Leverenz, Director of Emerging Market Equities at OppenheimerFunds and a member of the fiction and art panels of judges. «The recipients of our inaugural awards embody the immense contribution of emerging markets to our global conversation about art, commerce and the continued advance of human progress.»