The Carmignac Gestion Photojournalism Prize 2009 awarded to photographer Kai Wiedenhöfer

Fourteen candidates from eight different countries were short-listed from 76 entries. They were selected as much for their extremely well-researched projects as for the outstanding quality of their photographs, demonstrating thoroughness in their work.

The panel’s discussions focused first on the quality of the photographic work together with the photographer’s chosen approach and unique perspective. Next, they examined the originality of the written proposals and the capacity of each candidate to present a fresh and meaningful view.

Kai Wiedenhöfer, “Playing with a plastic gun. Children in a refugee camp replicate the world of adults.”

At the end of a first round of very lively analysis, the work of three finalists offering differing approaches was singled out: Kai Wiedenhöfer from Germany, Eman Mohammed from Palestine and Lizzie Sadin from France.

In its discussions, the judges made special mention of the quality and sensitivity of the work of 22-year old Eman Mohammed on the condition of Palestinian women, for which she was awarded the judges’ Special Prize.

As winner of the 2009 Carmignac Gestion Photojournalism Prize, Kai Wiedenhöfer will now go back to the Gaza Strip to witness and record its reconstruction since the last Israeli attack in January 2009.

He will produce a further series of photographs based around three themes:
- The debris: the scars of the bombardments of the city and how the Palestinians have found a new way of life in makeshift homes.
- The siege: daily life in the blockade, food supplies, pollution, psychological distress, water, the wall, the Rafah crossing point.
- The remains of the Israeli settlements: returning to the places he photographed in the summer of 2005 at the time of the Israeli army’s withdrawal.

Since 1990, this committed photographer has been engaged in a massive documentary project on daily life in the occupied territories. Kai Wiedenhöfer stood out for the consistent way he has monitored, treated and explored the conflict between Israel and Palestine. A fluent Arabic speaker, he shows an attachment and understanding that go beyond the news headlines, delving below the surface of moments of tension and extreme violence to produce a coherent documentary record. This approach follows a humanist tradition that questions what it finds with sensitivity, avoiding any lapse into stylized representation, in order to convey reality in all its complexity.

Kai Wiedenhöfer’s photographic work also stands out for its capacity to be invigorated with fresh ideas. Having started working in Gaza primarily using black and white in the reporting tradition, he now adopts a more reflective photographic style with panoramic compositions in colours conveying an original, bold and highly contemporary style.

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Carmignac Gestion Photojournalism Award
2009

The Award aims to support photojournalists who, through their work, are on the frontline of events and uphold the values of courage, independence, transparency and sharing.

14 applications from eight different countries, handpicked from the 76 files received, have been selected on account of both their carefully thought-out projects and their unique photographic series, revealing the in-depth work already accomplished.

We would like to offer our congratulations to the 14 shortlisted photojournalists!

The announcement of the winner who will be developing a project in the Gaza Strip over the next five months is eagerly awaited since the definitive list includes a wide variety of subjects that have been put forward.
On 23 October 2009, the panel of judges, chaired by William Klein, will be revealing the winner of the Carmignac Gestion Photojournalism Award, who will receive a 50,000 euro grant for producing the reportage.

Finalists
Selection of photographs from previous reportages

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Carmignac Gestion is launching the first
“Carmignac Gestion Photojournalism Award”.

Carmignac Gestion would in this way like to support photojournalists who are at the forefront for events through their work and stand up for the values of courage, independence, transparency and sharing.

Each year, a reportage subject that is directly linked to current events will be suggested to international, professional photojournalists. An independent panel of experts made up of image and information specialists will select a reportage project that will receive 50,000 Euros in support. This grant includes the execution of the reportage and the acquisition by Carmignac Gestion of 4 photographs chosen from the reportage.

Carmignac Gestion will also provide its full backing for the photojournalist to develop, promote and distribute the reportage. An exhibition will be organised within 12 months of the Prize being awarded and a monographic book presenting the award-winner's work will be published.

The world's future balance and stability hinge in particular on today's areas facing armed conflict. For this reason, the proposed subject for the 2009 Carmignac Gestion Photojournalism Award is:

The Gaza Strip

The photojournalists will be free to choose how to address this theme, and the angle to cover it from: political, economic, social or cultural.

Press Release

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