Prix Françoise Demulder — international competition for women photojournalists with an €8,000 prize
Some stories cannot be told with words alone. Photography preserves evidence of events, reveals people’s lives, and draws attention to the issues shaping our world. International photography competitions provide not only professional recognition but also valuable support for creating meaningful documentary projects.
Prix Françoise Demulder is an international competition established by the French Ministry of Culture in partnership with Visa pour l’Image – Perpignan in memory of the renowned French photojournalist Françoise Demulder. The program supports women photojournalists working on a new or ongoing documentary report covering social, political, economic, or cultural issues. Professional photographers of any age and nationality are eligible to apply.
What the winners receive
Each year, the jury selects two winners, each of whom receives an €8,000 cash prize to complete or further develop their photo report. In addition to financial support, the award provides the opportunity to present the finished project at Visa pour l’Image – Perpignan, one of the world’s most respected festivals dedicated to photojournalism.
Who can apply
The competition is open to professional women photojournalists from around the world. Applicants must already be working in photojournalism and have at least one completed photo report, whether published or unpublished. There is no age limit. The proposed project may focus on social, economic, political, or cultural issues and must be submitted in French or English.
Application requirements
To apply, participants must prepare:
— a completed application form;
— a valid identification document;
— proof of professional activity as a photojournalist;
— a CV;
— a motivation letter describing the proposed project (up to one page);
— a preliminary project budget;
— 10 to 20 photographs from one completed photo report;
— optionally, up to three publications related to the applicant’s work.
Important information
Only original photographs are accepted. The use of generative artificial intelligence to create or alter images is not permitted. Before the results are announced, the proposed project may not be submitted simultaneously to other competitions or grant programs. After receiving the cash prize, the winners are expected to complete their report by 1 May 2027 and present it for the first time at Visa pour l’Image – Perpignan.
Why consider Prix Françoise Demulder
This competition was created not only to support talented photojournalists, but also to strengthen contemporary documentary photography. The jury evaluates the quality of existing work, the relevance of the subject, and the potential of the proposed report rather than an applicant’s reputation. For many photographers, this award becomes an opportunity to dedicate several months to an important story, complete an ambitious documentary project, and present it to the international professional community.
Application deadline — 8 July 2026.
The winners will be selected by an international jury in July 2026, and the completed projects will be presented at Visa pour l’Image – Perpignan in September 2027.
