VII Mentor Program 2025
Jean Bizimana is a documentary photographer and photojournalist based in Kigali, Rwanda. His work highlights social issues across Africa, with a particular focus on the aftermath of war, civil conflict, and the generational trauma resulting from the 1994 Rwandan genocide. Bizi’s photography explores themes such as orphanhood, child motherhood, and the experiences of individuals born from sexual violence during the genocide.
Bizi’s photography journey began in 2003 through a training program at an orphanage, where he honed his skills over seven years. The orphanage was founded by Roz Carr, who, at the age of 82, established it after the 1994 genocide to provide care and support to orphaned children. In 2021, Bizi was awarded the Magnum Foundation Photography and Social Justice Fellowship, followed by a VII Academy Fellowship in 2022, both of which expanded his expertise in storytelling.
Since 2023, Bizi has been working on Finding Roz, an ongoing documentary project co-produced with his brothers from the orphanage, funded by Random Good Films. The project chronicles their search for Roz Carr, the founder of the orphanage where Bizi grew up. In 2024, he was accepted into the prestigious VII Academy Mentorship Program, further refining his craft.
Bizi is a freelance photojournalist for Thomson Reuters, and his work has been featured by various NGOs and international medias. Through his photography, he amplifies marginalized voices and fosters social change.