VII ACADEMY

In the last four years, we have trained over 1,200 people from 100 countries in ten languages, with more than half identifying as women.

©Kimberly dela Cruz for the VII Mentor Program
©Mar Naw for VII Academy

ABOUT

VII Academy provides tuition-free courses in visual journalism to practitioners in the Majority World and underrepresented communities in G20 countries. VII Academy is democratizing the information narrative and giving communities the tools to narrate their own stories in regions where media education is poorly resourced.

VII Academy training is structured as a pathway from the first point of contact to high-level practice. It is done online or in person at campuses in Arles, France, and Sarajevo, Bosnia Herzegovina. VII Academy has three programs: The Program for Narrative and Documentary Photography, the VII Mentor Program, and the MA in Visual Journalism.

PROGRAM

Program for Narrative and Documentary Photography

The Program for Narrative and Documentary Photography offers courses at Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3

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A group of men weighing and bagging a salt harvest in the village of Rawaurip, Cirebon. Salt production has fallen alarmingly in the last three years due to seawater flooding and unpredictable weather. ©Irene Barlian for VII Academy Fellows
A group of men weighing and bagging a salt harvest in the village of Rawaurip, Cirebon. Salt production has fallen alarmingly in the last three years due to seawater flooding and unpredictable weather. ©Irene Barlian for VII Academy Fellows

PROGRAM

VII Mentor Program 

The VII Mentor Program provides a 12-month structured professional environment for emerging new talents in the industry.

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View of a group of passengers from different walks of life and with different destinations in the port district, Alexandria, Egypt, April 2, 2019. ©Fatma Fahmy for the VII Mentor Program.

PROGRAM

Master of Arts in Visual Journalism 

The MA in Visual Journalism, in partnership with the Faculty of Political Sciences at the University of Sarajevo, is a two-year course beginning in 2024-25. The MA program will also have a one-year Certificate in Visual Journalism option.

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An Afghan refugee is seen resting near Bihać, northwestern Bosnia after being pushed back by Croatian police. ©Ziyah Gafic/VII
An Afghan refugee is seen resting near Bihać, northwestern Bosnia after being pushed back by Croatian police. ©Ziyah Gafic/VII
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Partners

currently open for application

Sep
30
2024
Level 3 Program for Narrative and Documentary Practice (PNDP.3.003)
English
Core, Seminar
application deadline May 26
Israel Fuguemann (Mexico)
"The level 1 course helped to provide me with security and confidence in my photographic work. It was a good experience to understand how to approach more solid and editorially interesting photographic projects. It also gave me a more realistic approach to the professional photojournalism industry."
Ufaq Fatima (Kashmir)
"After the intensive 12-week training program, I gained more confidence in my ability to shoot and take pictures. During the training, I was pushed out of my comfort zone and learned a lot about this field. As a member of a women's photo collective in Kashmir called Her Pixel Story, I can now share the valuable knowledge I gained from Level 1 training with others."
Andjela Petrovski (Serbia)
"The course served as a catalyst for me to embark on three personal photo projects, allowing me to explore and express my creative vision in new ways. One of the major milestones I achieved was reviving and successfully managing my own photo magazine, 'Balkanium.' Before the course, I had a full-time job, but post-course, I found a way to sustain myself through photography. The education I received expanded my technical abilities and equipped me with the tools necessary to navigate the business side of photography."
Mumin Gul (India)
“My confidence increased significantly. I came to the realization that I could create a really good documentary photo project if I was given the right time and guidance. I submitted the project for many awards for the first time in my life, which was a novel experience for me.”
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PARTNER PROGRAMS

VII Academy also partners with like-minded organizations to provide additional, focused training initiatives. 

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Photography by Renaud Philippe. Foundry Golden Scarf Winner, 2023.

Foundry Photojournalism Workshop

Foundry Photojournalism Workshop was established in 2008, and since 2019 has been led by PhotoWings and supported by VII Academy.

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Photography by Nature Through Her Eyes, 2019-2022.

Nature Through Her Eyes

VII Academy works with Nature Through Her Eyes and Jacqueline Farmer to mentor female African filmmakers so they can document their vision of natural history.

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CAMPUSES

VII Academy has two campuses, one in Arles, France and the other in Sarajevo, Bosnia Herzegovina. 

VII Masterclass in Arles, 2022. Photo by Maciek Nabrdalik/VII

The Alexandra Boulat Campus in Arles, France

In 2023, our European Headquarters opened in Arles, housed in a historic building that was formerly a salt warehouse. It has ample space for classrooms, study areas, exhibitions, audio/visual screenings, cultural events, and offices, and is fully equipped to cater to large events.

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Preparations for the Present Past exhibition. VII Academy, Sarajevo, 2023. Photo by Ziyah Gafić/VII

VII Academy in Sarajevo, Bosnia Herzegovina

We have been operating in Sarajevo since 2019, with a focus on our educational mission. Our calendar of exhibitions and partnerships helps to increase our visibility as a key educator in visual literacy and fact-based practices. We remain committed to developing and expanding our educational initiatives.

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