Saint-Brieuc Bay Photoreporter Festival 2016
From 1 to 30 October, the town of Saint-Brieuc (in Brittany) hosts the 5th edition of the Photoreporter Festival — an ode to photojournalism.
Photojournalism in crisis
This festival isn't about photography, nor about photographers. It tells stories that give us a vision of the world. And yes, the authors of the stories we present are photographers who use photography — one of the most powerful and nearly universal mediums.
For about fifteen years, it has been common to say that photojournalism is in crisis. It is indeed increasingly difficult for professional photographers to have the material means to practice their reporting trade. The press's economic crisis and the rise of digital have undermined the profession's business model. The disappearance of photo agencies that made France one of the great capitals of photojournalism is the best illustration. While the topic raises many questions, few solutions are on the horizon. The Festival aims to contribute to providing answers.
Saint-Brieuc's commitment
Saint-Brieuc Agglomération, which initiated the project, enables the festival to get off the ground and take shape. But the project is built on private funding. In fact, the production of the reportages is entirely funded by grants from private companies.
An endowment fund notably allows financial resources to be gathered through patronage. This collects the resources needed to fund the reportages. Under the chairmanship of Bruno Joncour, financial partners don't interfere with editorial direction. No theme is set for the festival, in order to leave photographers the greatest possible freedom in their proposals. One of the festival's editorial ambitions is to show the world in its diversity.
More about the Saint-Brieuc festival
- 30,000 visitors in 2015
- 30 days of free public access
- 700 m² of exhibitions
- 57 stories produced across 5 editions (2012 to 2016)
- 60 volunteers
- 1 website: http://www.festival-photoreporter.fr/