Applications open: early bird discounts until Dec 6

AFMP V: 5TH ANNUAL FOTOFILMIC MENTORING PROGRAM (2027-28)

Launched in the fall of 2022, FotoFilmic’s annual mentoring program has in the years since steadily grown to become a top reference in the realm of independent academic formation for contemporary photography practitioners.

Unlike other programs, it is rooted in the belief that truly impactful and lasting learning happens over substantial, well structured time shared with an intimate team of  highly  reputable mentors whose  recognized skills and excellencies can seamlessly overlap and cover all core aspects of contemporary photographic practice. “More time with the best” could be its motto. By blending a careful balance of purposeful in-person time with the mentors several days at a time with the stimulating throughline of regular hours-long group and individual online meetings with them, AFMP provides a flexible yet rigorous learning framework well adapted to today’s fast-paced work/creative lives.

Photographers from all backgrounds, nationalities, and at all stages of their artistic development and careers are now invited to submit their Early Bird Applications for a chance to take part in the 5th 2027/28 edition of FotoFilmic’s Annual Mentoring Program: AFMP V!

With now three successfully completed past editions (AFMP I 2023/24, AFMP II 2024/25, AFMP III 2025/26) and the fourth one (AFMP IV 2026/27) smoothly running its course, we very much look forward to kicking off an exciting fifth iteration of our yearlong, in-depth mentorship program next May, welcoming to it 10 new meriting talents from all around the world to help structure and strengthen their creative practices through the realization of their most ambitious photographic projects to date! And to lend their completed works heightened visibility on the global photography scene thanks to the two final exhibitions and accompanying printed catalog publication through 2028!

VISION: BUILDING ON ALL ASPECTS OF CONTEMPORARY PRACTICE

Purpose-built for photographers at the start of or at crucial crossroads in their artistic development and forming careers, AFMP V will offer a small group of practitioners (10 participants total) a robust and proven, in-depth, year-long mentoring framework to materialize their fullest potential through the creation of their most ambitious bodies of work to date. Through combined final gallery presentations and an accompanying catalog publication, their completed works will receive broad international attention and receive a unique community platform to secure successful photographic futures.

STRUCTURE: IN-PERSON (9 DAYS + PARIS PHOTO) + ONLINE (42 HOURS)

The AFMP V program will revolve around two intensive physical retreats with the core mentors: the first one this coming May (2027) at the FotoFilmic Space on beautiful Bowen Island (6 days), part of Metro Vancouver, BC, Canada; and the second one next November (2027) in Paris, France (3 days), where two additional guest reviewers* (tba) picked by core mentors Lucas Foglia and Lucy Conticello will also join the Paris reviews to contribute fresh outside feedback on all developing projects midway through the program. Participants also receive a day-pass to attend the Paris Photo fair, the largest international art fair dedicated to the photographic medium, and get the chance to tour the countless other prime photographic events taking place in Paris during that special photography week.

In addition to the in-person retreats, a comprehensive, well structured online schedule (42 hours total) comprising a multitude of both group (3 to 6 hours long) and individual (hour-long) monthly meetings with the three core mentors facilitates continued conversations and ensures constant input and progress the rest of the year (Fall 2027 through to Spring 2028). See the full AFMP V schedule details below!

* Past guest reviewers have included: Lucy Conticello (M Le Monde Magazine Director of Photography), Carolyn Drake (Magnum Photos), Katy Hundertmark (Foam Magazine Managing Editor), Mimi Plumb, Clementine Schneidermann, and Delphine Pousse (MYOP Photo Agency Editor and Production Coordinator).

OUTCOMES: 2 EXHIBITIONS (CANADA / FRANCE) + 1 PRINT PUBLICATION

With tailored guidance from the core mentors and their collaborators every step of the way, the goal for each participant will be to conceive and develop a new significant body of work to represent them ambitiously for years to come. The work will embody meaningful commentary on our contemporary moment and reality, speak to the world’s state of affairs and its pressing issues, and as such remain foundational to their artistic identity on the international photography scene for the duration of their careers. Acting as their true passport for opportunity and growth as professional photographic artists, the creation of their AFMP V work will also drive a profound reshaping of the participants’ practices as they successfully connect to their true artistic ethos and purpose, and build the foundation and ability to execute equally ambitious future projects.

This fourth AFMP edition will culminate in 2 featured gallery exhibitions* on Bowen Island (Summer 2028, monthlong) and in Paris (November 2028 during the Paris Photo week) presenting curated edits of the participants’ final projects. Both exhibitions will be accompanied by a FotoFilmic–produced printed catalog publication designed by Italian graphic designer and teacher Roberto Montani (co-founder of CH RO MO studio in Jesi, Italy). In addition to complementing the exhibitions, AFMP V catalog copies will also be distributed throughout the FotoFilmic network to prominent editors, publishers, curators, writers and programmers of contemporary photographic culture around the world (North America, Europe, and Asia). The exhibitions and publication will help forge a multitude of lasting connections with influential figures of the photo world, built from the start to evolve into concrete future opportunities for work, collaboration, publication, and friendship.

* Note: in order to lower exhibition costs to participants, final projects can be printed/produced in-house through FotoFilmic’s professional printer partner; attending both exhibition openings in Bowen Island BC and Paris FR is also encouraged but not required.

AFMP V MENTORS: LUCY CONTICELLO | LUCAS FOGLIA | ELISA MEDDE