Introduction
The Clean Cooling Network and Africa Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Cooling and Cold-chain (ACES), are promoting an open call to young aspiring photographers from Rwanda and Kenya who would like to participate in the photography programme entitled "Creative Storytelling for a Cooler World", led by the internationally acclaimed Panos Pictures photographer Chris de Bode and Rwandan visual artist, Mireille Isimbi.
1 Week Course
Hybrid
[email protected]
Chris de Bode
Programme Dates
Course Fees
Attendance is currently FREE for all course dates.19th May - 23rd May 2025
ACES Rubirizi Campus, Kigali, Rwanda
- Apply by email to [email protected] before 7th April 2025.
Course Description
The two months programme kicks off with a five days, fully funded in-person training workshop. This programme and workshop is produced in cooperation with the renowned international photo-agency Panos Pictures together with ACES and the Clean Cooling Network.
Participants will receive a stipend after applying for it if they are selected. For photographers from Kenya, this will include travel and accommodation/subsistence.
Educating creative visual storytellers with interest in Agri food systems
This two month program supports the education and career development of five Rwandan and three Kenyan photographers who are at the start of their careers.
The program will be divided in two parts over a period of two months.
- We will kick off with a full week in-person training where all students will be present each day. The photographers will follow a program of assignments focusing on various photography skills. The results will be discussed with the whole group and a tutor in order to learn from the feedback for each body of work. Chris de Bode and Mireille Isimbi will lead the programme in-person and guide the assignments and host various lectures. Agrifood system experts from ACES will support with agrifood systems training and site visits.
- The second part of the program takes one more month. This month will be entirely spent on photographing one single subject focusing on agrifood systems (AFS) which will be chosen together with the tutors. We strongly believe in capacity building. Our aim is to educate the photographers so they are capable to work in AFS environments. This final longer term assignment will be individually coached by the tutors and will lead to an exhibition with a festive opening where all the final picture stories/ photo essays will be presented.
The Tutors
Chris de Bode
Chris de Bode is a documentary photographer. The majority of his work focuses on humanitarian issues for which he travels around the world. In his work, De Bode always tries to find new angles that can visualize the story. People always come first in his work, even though they are not always visible on screen. The people and situations derived from them radiate strength and vulnerability at the same time in his photos. A visual search for connection that invites us to look beyond the stereotypical image with which we so often fail each other.
He works on assignment for aid organizations, newspapers and magazines, but also develops his own projects. De Bode works for, among others, the UNHCR, Aidsfonds, Save the Children, National Geographic, British Red Cross, St Vluchteling and the Guardian. His work is published all over the world. Chris has won awards at World Press Photo, the Silver Camera, Alfred Fried Award and also several Lens Culture Portrait Awards.
Mireille Isimbi
Mireille Isimbi is a dynamic and innovative documentary photographer, filmmaker, and Creative Director, known for pushing the boundaries of visual storytelling. With a passion for storytelling and a keen eye for aesthetics, she has over seven years of experience in the visual and creative industries.
She has worked on impactful projects in filmmaking, documentary photography, and visual storytelling, believing that stories have the power to inspire change, challenge perceptions, and build bridges of understanding.
Mireille is guided by strong social values, which allow her to integrate easily into different communities. Over the past seven years, she has collaborated on visual production projects with industry leaders such as Bloomberg Originals, Oracle, UNESCO, and BBC StoryWorks, as well as various local and international clients.
Syllabus Outline
The aim is to raise the individual level of each participant and eventually become AFS visual specialists by following a program which consists of various photo assignments and lectures. This includes food and cold-chain technical, health and safety knowledge alongside photographic technical training in order to identify related stories and be able to produce high quality visual deliverables.
At the end of the program the individual photographer should be able deliver:
- Professional images shot in an AFS environment.
- A professional press image / press conference
- High quality images shot during events
- Deliver a high quality artistic photo story
- Deliver a coherent multiple portraits series
Candidate Selection
Essential Criteria
- Applicants should have a good understanding of English and proficiency with the ability to communicate effectively in both written and spoken English.
- Applicants should have an advanced level in photography and master the basic technical camera skills.
- Having access to (semi-professional) photography equipment.
- Capacity to use computer applications, such as Adobe Photoshop and/or Lightroom.
- The ability to identify challenges faced by farmers, traders, and other stakeholders in the cold chain and to develop visual narratives is highly valuable and desirable.
Desirable Criteria
- Good communication skills are highly desirable.
- Experience working with diverse communities from different sectors, including different genders, cultures, ages, classes, ethnicities, and education levels will be appreciated.
How To Apply
Visual artists/photographers interested are invited to apply as following:
- All content must be sent digitally.
- By sending your motivation to participate in the Training
- By sending visual material of their recent work: up to ten (10) photographs of recent work in electronic format (jpegs).
Notes & Information
- The selection committee will examine the files and assess their compatibility with the concept and content of the workshop, without being obliged to justify its choices publicly.
- The finalists will be notified at the email addresses they have provided.