The World Press Photo Foundation, which operates the annual World Press Photo Contest, has entered into a “strategic partnership” with Fujifilm.
The partnership is designed to expand the scope of the annual photo contest among other benefits. The two organizations say that the competition, exhibitions, and “other activities” are poised to grow in scope. The additional capital the World Press Photo Foundation now has access to allows it to host photographers workshops in 10 cities around the world in 2024, with more planned in the coming years.
The World Press Photo Foundation will also be able to offer photography printing services thanks to Fujifilm and the competition will now offer a Fujifilm GFX 100 II and two GF lenses of choice will be provided to each of the four global contest winners.
“We are very pleased to announce this strategic partnership with Fujifilm. They share our mission to support the photographic community who bring important stories and images to the world,” Joumana El Zein Khoury, Executive Director of World Press Photo Foundation says.
“This strategic partnership will help us reach more people, improve our exhibitions, and directly support the news and documentary photography community.”
“As Fujifilm celebrates its 90th anniversary on January 20 this year, we are excited to establish this strategic partnership, enabling us to contribute to the growth of trustworthy storytelling and global communication through the power of photography,” Masato Yamamoto, Director, Executive Vice President, General Manager of Imaging Solutions Division, Fujifilm Corporation adds.
“Through this partnership with the World Press Photo Foundation, we support the creative individuals involved in the dynamic field of photography.”
The Foundation and Fujifilm say that “numerous” past winners of the contest have used Fujifilm cameras, including the 2020 World Press Photo of the Year (which was shot using an X-H1) and the 2021 World Press Photo Story of the Year (which was shot using an X-T1).
That said, the jury isn’t provided information on what equipment was used to take a photo (and the Foundation says it is not considered in deliberations at all), so Fujifilm’s involvement with the contest shouldn’t play a role in which photographers take home the top honors. Expect Fujifilm’s involvement to be akin to Sony’s in the World Photography Awards.
The World Press Photo plans to announce regional winners of its Photo Contest on April 3, with global winners announced on April 18. Last year’s winners can be seen here.
Image credits: World Press Photo Foundation
