The first session of the Sarajevo Seminar for Narrative and Documentary Practice was an orientation week during which the participants were introduced to some of the fundamental requirements of independent journalism. These include contemporary methodologies of documentary and journalistic practice, ethics, basics of written reporting (AP style), visual literacy, aesthetics and image construction. All lectures were followed by in depth Q+A sessions.
Marko Drobnjakovic lecturing on the transition from news to long form documentary photography. ©Nerma Sofic 
Aida Cerkez on news reporting and writing. ©Nerma Sofic
After lectures, each of the fifteen students had one-on-one sessions with lead tutors Dr Paul Lowe and Ziyah Gafic, as well as lecturers Ron Haviv, Marko Drobnjakovic and Sandra Vitaljic. Over the course of a week, students also presented their own work, participated in group discussions, and had their portfolios reviewed. At the end of the week, students came up with a topic that they wanted to address as a group—“Displacement / Depopulation.” Each student will develop his or her own individual project as an interpretation as this theme, and present it during Session 2 in January 2020.
Ron Haviv listens to a lecture. ©Andjela Petrovski 
Ziyah Gafic reviews a student’s work. ©Hasnija Zulic
In the intervening weeks between sessions, each student will work in an online mentoring environment with the tutors, presenting updates on their projects.
Ziyah Gafic lectures on developing personal visual style. ©Nerma Sofic 
Tarik Samarah giving students a private tour of Gallery 11/07/95, dedicated to preserving the memory of the Srebrenica genocide. ©Nerma Sofic 
Visiting Gallery 11/07/95 with Dr Paul Lowe. ©Nerma Sofic 
Students during class. ©Nerma Sofic 
Armin Graca taking notes. ©Nerma Sofic 
The Sarajevo campus of the VII Academy. ©Hasnija Zulic
