The educational programme lasts between six to twelve months depending on mentee’s progress through the process and is designed to cultivate the next generation of photojournalists. By creating a peer-to-peer network for visual storytellers, the programme will work with a cohort of international experts to support this year’s mentees and provide them with the knowledge and inspiration they need to launch their careers. The programme is open to students and interns residing in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, from March 28th until April 29th. A limited number of spaces will also be available for recommendations from industry professionals. Submissions will be judged by a panel of editors from AFP, Getty Images and Reuters who will decide on the initial 100-strong shortlist of the region’s most promising young storytellers. Once selected, each of the 100 student mentees will be partnered with one of the programme’s expert mentors. Throughout June and July, they will complete three virtual sessions to refine their portfolio and project synopsis – with a particular focus on exploring different editing options and ways to further strengthen narrative skills and develop authorial signatures. Based on these sessions, each mentor will nominate their strongest candidates and a 30-strong group will then be chosen by an independent panel for the following stages of the programme. Finbarr O’Reilly, Programme Mentor and Canon Ambassador commented: “It’s a great opportunity to learn from some of the best practitioners in our industry. The Canon Student Development Programme gives photographers, who are in the early stages of their career, direct access to some of the most experienced photojournalists, who can share what they have learned over decades of working in the field, and some of the tips and techniques that they use for visual storytelling. Students get to learn the various stages of ideation, research, concepting, execution, then editing and sharing their work with editors and the wider public. In addition to the creative aspects, they also learn about the business side to a certain extent – how to present and market yourself.” The top 30 shortlisted students will be invited to attend Canon’s prestigious workshop, taking place in the run up to Visa pour l’image in Perpignan, France – one of the world’s leading photojournalism festivals. The workshop will offer an intimate forum to exchange ideas, build relationships and nurture talent. Students will be exposed to a mix of lectures and practical sessions hosted by revered photographers including Canon Ambassador Paolo Verzone, who will run a masterclass on lighting techniques for portraiture. On the penultimate day, students will take part in group portfolio review sessions hosted by acclaimed industry experts, including Benoit Baume (Fisheye), Chiara Bardelli Nonino (Vogue Italia) and Fiona Shields (The Guardian), and have the incredible opportunity to present their work and critique their fellow peers in an exclusive knowledge sharing forum. On the final day, participants will attend the first day of Visa pour l’image and explore all that the festival has to of The final stage of the process will see five finalists head to Hamburg for Europe’s newest development platform, the Hamburg Portfolio Review. During a three-day trip, the final five will each take part in four individual portfolio reviews, have their work physically exhibited at the show and attend a series of exclusive media appointments with key editors in the industry. Over the following six months, they will receive longer term mentorships and will be provided with a €2,000 grant and top-of-the-line Canon equipment to support their next creative chapter. To apply to be a part of the 2022 Canon Student Development Programme or view the entry criteria, please visit: https://bit.ly/3uZsgqV
