Ronan Guillou Grant 2025

Two European photographers and/or photographers from the southern shores of the Mediterranean are invited to produce a photographic project based on the same territory – the Occitanie region.

Overview

The Ronan Guillou Grant is launched as part of the CIVIS MARITIMUS program, which aims to explore the relationship between Man and the Sea, and to challenge the essential issues facing the Ocean. The CIVIS MARITIMUS program, developed by the Eyes Wide Open association, aims to explore the relationship between man and the sea, in order to restore a common sense to our cultures and challenge the essential issues facing the ocean.

In 2025, with the support of the city of Sète and M28 lands of culture, CIVIS MARITIMUS is inviting two European photographers and/or photographers from the southern shores of the Mediterranean to produce a photographic project based on the same territory – the Occitanie region – and focusing on social, cultural, ecological and/or heritage issues linking human beings and the marine world.

Practical Info

The call is open to photographers from Europe and Mediterranean countries. There is no age limit, and applicants may be freelance or represented by an agency, collective or gallery. Duos of photographers are not eligible. Entries that emphasize an eco-responsible and experimental approach, in terms of the subjects addressed, the techniques used to produce the photographs and the methods of restitution devised, will be given careful consideration. The program is open to all forms of photographic creation, with an emphasis on original documentary, post-documentary and visual approaches.

Submission must include a detailed presentation of the subject proposed for the grant (Man and the marine world, Sète, Etang de Thau and the Gulf of Lion), a biography and CV, an artistic file presenting the candidate's main projects, the completed application form, and the call for applications and rules, completed, signed and enclosed with the rest of the application. Entries highlighting an eco-responsible approach, in terms of the subjects addressed, the techniques used to produce their photographs, and the ways in which they are presented, will be given preference.

Projects should explore the issues of our future in synergy with the sea and/or defend a progressive - or militant - vision to radically raise awareness. It may address issues such as ecology, human activity, the notion of heritage, economic and geopolitical stakes, or the territory's relationship with other areas of the Mediterranean basin. It must make reference to the Occitanie region in their approach (thematic, geographical or symbolic), without being obliged to cover the entire region.

One creative bursarie will be awarded to a European photographer or from a Mediterranean country, with the challenge to produce a photographic project focusing on man's relationship with the marine world, around the same territory - Sète, Étang de Thau and the Golfe du Lion. The award-winning photographer will receive €4,000 to carry out his or her project. At the end of the residency, he or she undertakes to deliver to the organizers a selection of at least 25 photographs making up the project, accompanied by captions and a presentation text - any other elements likely to complete the project will be welcome (preparatory sketch, notebook or sketches, other multimedia or sound supports, etc.). The award-winning photographer assign to the organizers his/her copyrights until December 31, 2025 on the selection of 25 images for use within the exclusive framework of the CIVIS MARITIMUS program: exhibition, publishing, internet and social networks.

The award-winning photographer will have a period of two months to complete his/her project. A partial restitution will be organized in September 2025. He/she will be required to be present in Sète on May 5th, 2025 (to be confirmed) to attend and participate in public announcement. They will be provided with accommodation in Sète during the period from May 5th to July 5th, 2025.

The CIVIS MARITIMUS program will cover the following expenses, in addition to the €4,000 grant awarded of the bursary photographer: transport to and from Sète and accommodation in Sète between May 5 and July 5. All other costs incurred in the realization of the creative projects supported will be borne by the photographers receiving the grants.

About Eyes Wide Open Association

Part of The Eyes label, Eyes Wide Open was founded by Véronique Prugnaud and Vincent Marcilhacy in 2022. Its mission is to support and develop artistic projects and actions that are driven by a social, societal and environmental commitment. The 1st photo book grants is the first initiative launched, with the aim of supporting French and international photographers through French publishing.

Photo publishing plays a major role in a photographer’s career, helping to disseminate his or her work. And yet, despite the growing number of publications, the economy remains fragile. This leads to a relative reluctance on the part of industry publishers to take on the financial risk of 1st books by lesser-known photographers. The 1st photo book grants aims to encourage French photographers and publishers in a creative dynamic.

Eyes Wide Open pursues and develops a tradition of commitment focused on the major issues facing our society, in the service of creative players and the general public. The long-term CIVIS MARITIMUS program with the Ronan Guillou Fellowships was created with this ambition in mind.