Canon and Visa pour l’Image are celebrating 35 years of partnership, highlighting their long-standing commitment to supporting photojournalism and documentary storytelling. The 2024 Visa pour l’Image festival, set to take place in Perpignan, France, from September 2nd to 7th, will feature a series of events sponsored by Canon, including the awarding of two significant grants and the continuation of the brand’s Student Development Programme.
For the 24th consecutive year, Canon, in partnership with Visa pour l’Image, will award the €8,000 Canon Female Photojournalist Grant to support a female photographer working on a long-term documentary project. This year, the recipient is Dutch photojournalist Cynthia Boll, recognized for her project “Reshaping Home: Indonesia’s Capital Migration.” Boll’s work examines the challenges faced by residents of Jakarta as Indonesia’s capital moves to the new city of Ibu Kota Nusantara, addressing issues of climate change and urban development. With the grant, Boll aims to document the daily lives of those adapting to the emerging capital city.
Additionally, the Canon Video Grant will be awarded for the fifth time, supporting a short-film documentary project. London-based filmmaker Alan Lau will receive the grant for “The Gordian Knot,” a film exploring the complexities surrounding young Nepali cattle at risk of slaughter due to economic and cultural pressures in a developing region. This initiative underlines Canon’s commitment to supporting diverse storytelling formats in the field of visual journalism.
Canon’s involvement in Visa pour l’Image extends beyond awarding grants. As part of its Student Development Programme, Canon is providing 25 emerging photographers from Europe, the Middle East, and Africa with an opportunity to enhance their skills and networks. These young talents will participate in a five-day workshop featuring lectures, portfolio reviews, and practical sessions led by prominent photographers and industry professionals, including Canon Ambassadors and representatives from notable organizations like The Guardian and National Geographic.
At the festival’s venue, Canon will also host a product showcase, giving visitors a chance to experience the company’s latest equipment, such as the EOS R1 and EOS R5 Mark II cameras. The event will feature a hands-on approach, allowing accredited photographers to print images from their portfolios using Canon’s fine art printing technology. Additionally, attendees can benefit from complimentary equipment check-and-clean services offered by Canon Professional Services (CPS).
Canon’s presence at Visa pour l’Image this year also includes the “World Unseen” initiative, a collaboration with the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), aimed at making visual art more accessible to those with sight loss. This project encourages participants to experience photography from different perspectives, promoting inclusivity and awareness in the visual arts.
The 35th anniversary of Canon and Visa pour l’Image’s partnership is a testament to their ongoing dedication to photojournalism and the nurturing of new talent. Through grants, educational programmes, and industry engagement, they continue to foster a supportive environment for photographers worldwide, celebrating the power of visual storytelling.
For more information about the Visa pour l’Image festival and Canon’s involvement, visit Visa pour l’Image.
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