Earlier this month, Nikon announced that Italian photographer, Isabella Franceschini, had been awarded the prestigious Marilyn Stafford FotoReportage Award 2024, for her work ‘The Leap of Fish that Dream of Flying’.
The Leap of Fish that Dream of Flying is an eye-opening series that acknowledges our ever-changing and mutual relationship with the environment and sustainable development. A full set of images can be found here.
Franceschini’s work focuses on the decommissioning of the Polesine Camerini thermoelectric plant (the largest in Italy and now inactive), which is set to be transformed into an eco-friendly tourist facility based on a project involving local institutions and the local population.
The salient project documents the conflicting environmental challenges of this area since 2015; showcasing how humans have both benefited from this environment, and yet also exploited it with the industrial site of the thermoelectric power plant. As depicted through Isabella’s visual storytelling, this transformation enables a renewed and balanced coexistence between humans and nature, paving the way for a future of unexplored and fertile possibilities.
The Marilyn Stafford FotoReportage Award of £2,500, supported by Nikon UK and facilitated by FotoDocument, is granted annually to a professional female photographer on the completion of a compelling and cohesive documentary photo essay, which addresses an important social, environmental, economic, or cultural issue. Nikon’s sponsorship empowers these female photographers to craft compelling and honest narratives – acting as a catalyst for social change.
Submissions to the Marilyn Stafford Award were reviewed by an international panel, with award-winning photojournalist and Nikon Ambassador, Andrea Bruce, once again among the selected judges. Marilyn Stafford’s daughter, Lina Clerke, also joined this year’s panel as an honorary judge.
The works considered for the prize must showcase positive solutions to any issues they raise in order to contribute to constructive photojournalism, in line with the wishes of Marilyn Stafford (1925-2023) and the aims of FotoDocument.
Julian Harvie, Marketing Director, Nikon Northern Europe, says: “Once again, we have been moved by this year’s winner and honourable mentions of the Marilyn Stafford FotoReportage Award. Franceschini’s ‘The Leap of Fish that Dream of Flying’ is as inspiring as it is thought-provoking, challenging through a single image our perception of the right relationship between humans and nature. They say great photography asks great questions, and the story of her work does just that. Nikon is proud to invest in her story, as well as all those shortlisted for this important award.”
Isabella Franceschini is currently developing long-term projects primarily inspired by what influences human beings and their relationships as well as issues related to environmental sustainability.
Isabella Franceschini, says: “The Marilyn Stafford FotoReportage Award represents a unique opportunity to share my project with a wider international audience, promoting awareness and understanding of the importance of preserving delicate ecosystems like the Po Delta. Furthermore, the Award provides me with the necessary resources to continue documenting my work in this area and to produce a book that promotes sustainable development. Winning this Award is therefore an important step in advancing my commitment to environmental protection and the appreciation of an invaluable natural heritage.”
Nina Emett, FotoDocument founder, Curator, Photographer, says: ‘‘There were so many outstanding entries to the Marilyn Stafford FotoReportage Award 2024 from all over the world, and it is clear that any one of the shortlisted photographers deserves wide recognition. But the jurors agreed that Isabella Franceschini’s project ‘The Leap of Fish that Dream of Fying’ stood out for its hauntingly beautiful images, eloquent narrative storytelling, and environmental importance and replicability.”
“We wish Isabella our hearty congratulations for this incredible achievement and we look forward to witnessing how the story progresses. We would also like to offer our congratulations to those awarded an Honourable Mention – Andrea Hernández Briceño, Jennifer Carlos and Lys Arango. We extend our sincere gratitude to our friends at Nikon for their continued support of this unique and impactful award.”
About Marilyn Stafford
Born in Cleveland, Ohio, USA, Marilyn Stafford’s photographic career was accidentally launched in New York in 1948 when she was asked to photograph Albert Einstein by friends making a film about him.
From there on, her photography took her across the world, starting in Paris in 1950. There her friendship and guidance by Magnum founders Robert Capa and Henri Cartier-Bresson shaped her work.
In 1958 Stafford travelled to Tunisia to document the plight of Algerian refugees fleeing France’s ‘scorched earth’ aerial bombardment in the Algerian War of Independence. While completing commissions for a number of Paris fashion houses she also photographed children living in one of the city’s worst slum neighbourhoods, Cite Lesage-Bullourde.
In the early 1960s Stafford traveled widely in Lebanon photographing the everyday lives of the Lebanese people and to India in 1971 where she documented the country’s only woman Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi, and her involvement in the Bangladesh Liberation War.
She settled in England in the mid-sixties, where she was one of only a handful of women photographers working on Fleet Street. Stafford’s work spans from 1948-1980 covering a range of subjects including refugees, tribal peoples, international fashion and prominent historical figures including Edith Piaf, Lee Marvin, Sir Richard Attenborough, Joanna Lumley, Sir Alan Bates.
www.marilynstaffordphotography.com @marilynstaffordphotography
About FotoDocument
Founded in 2012, and led by Director Nina Emett, FotoDocument is an award-winning arts social enterprise, which brings visibility to positive social and environmental initiatives around the world through documentary photography, film, and multi-media products and installations. The work creates significant impact through fostering a profound sense of active global citizenship by engaging participants and audiences in powerful storylines to bring hope and spark meaningful change. It has been widely exhibited at a range of venues including: Victoria & Albert Museum, House of Commons, Oxo Tower London, Excel London, Brent Civic Centre, Brighton Railway Station, Hove Promenade among many others. Commissioned photographers include emerging artists and prominent names in photography and partnering organisations include: CARE International, Bioregional, Salusbury World Refugee Centre, Photoworks, London College of Communication. FotoDocument has received funding from Arts Council England, trusts & foundations, multiple sponsors as well as trading as a social enterprise through its targeted services: FotoSchool, FotoStory and FotoAgency.
Fotodocument.org @fotodocument
