By Joe Udo
DUBAI (CONVERSEER) – Canon will celebrate the work of photojournalists for the 36th consecutive year this September as part of its long-standing partnership with Visa pour l’Image.
The festival, scheduled for 1–6 September in Perpignan, southern France, will recognise independent voices in documentary storytelling, provide support to professionals, and host a special Reuters showcase.
Grants for Outstanding Projects
As part of its support for independent journalism, Canon and Visa pour l’Image will award two project grants. French photojournalist Marion Péhée will receive the Canon Female Photojournalist Grant for her ongoing documentary work on Ukrainian youth. With the €8,000 funding, Péhée plans to reconnect with teenagers she first met a decade ago and continue exploring life on the frontline.
The Canon Video Grant will go to Shiho Fukada, a photojournalist and filmmaker, for her documentary short film Echoes of Little Tokyo. The project centres on the Fukui Mortuary, a fifth-generation Japanese American funeral home serving Los Angeles’ Little Tokyo community since 1918, reflecting on heritage and continuity amid social change.
“Canon has long championed photojournalism, and our partnership with Visa pour l’Image reflects our shared commitment to empowering independent voices and bold storytelling,” said Ingrid Masachs, EMEA Marketing Director at Canon. “These projects embody perseverance, emotional depth and the generational impact of community narratives.”
Reuters Showcase Marks 40 Years of Photojournalism
This year, Canon will also host a special exhibition from Reuters featuring images from its upcoming book In the Moment, celebrating four decades of Reuters photography.
The exhibition, printed by Canon and hosted at the Palais des Congrès, will feature moments of resilience and historic global events captured by Reuters photojournalists. The book is set for release in October 2025.
Support for Professionals at the Festival
Canon will also provide on-site technical support through Canon Professional Services (CPS), offering free check-and-clean services for accredited photographers’ equipment, product advice, and opportunities to test Canon’s latest cameras. Professional photographers can also have a portfolio image printed on Canon’s fine art printers at the festival.
