Open call: Samir Kassir Foundation launches masterclass opportunity for photojournalists in Lebanon in collaboration with World Press Photo

The Samir Kassir Foundation (SKF) is partnering with World Press Photo to offer a free masterclass program for photojournalists based in Lebanon. The five-month hybrid program will take place from October 2024 to February 2025, including an online mentorship program and a one-week in-person masterclass in December 2024.

The masterclass follows the format of the renowned Joop Swart Masterclass. The program’s objective is to develop and guide photographers with 4-8 years of experience in their practice, placing special emphasis on building skills for long and sustainable careers in photojournalism, documentary photography, and beyond. Moreover, this course is designed to help photographers based in Lebanon to reach the international community, providing guidance on safety and ethical standards, as well as to identify market needs and protect their intellectual property 

The program will consist of three components:

• Online mentorship from October 2024 to February 2025. Participants will work on their projects, receive feedback from their mentors, and participate in online thematic presentations.
• Masterclass week (in-person) in December 2024. The group will come together in Beirut for an intensive week of workshops, talks, and presentations.
• Final presentation of the masterclass projects in February 2025. 

The content of this course responds to the context of the MENA region and is delivered in both Arabic and English.

Please consider applying to this unique opportunity only if you:

1. are certain that you can take part of the entire program,
2. are willing to commit to the highest standards of professionalism and respect of your peers and mentors during the program, 
3. In the case of being selected, you understand that by accepting the invitation, you are filling one of a very limited number of spots available for photojournalists. 

Not complying with 1 and 2 might lead to the exclusion of the participant. 

To apply, please submit your portfolio through this link by 8 August, 13.00 EEST. 

The participants are selected by an independent selection committee, based on the following criteria:

• Professional photographers with 4-8 years of experience making/and or publishing visual stories in the fields of photojournalism and documentary photography;
• Participants should have an existing project idea that they would like to further develop during the masterclass;
• Participants should have intermediate Arabic and English skills;
• Participants should reside in Lebanon;
• Participants should be willing to spend 4-8 hours/week during the online mentorship program from October 2024 - February 2025, including presentations, coursework, readings and project development, and to commit for a full week in-person masterclass in Lebanon in early December (exact date TBC). 

Note: Half of the spots will be open to photojournalists collaborating with SKF on one of their projects.