Workshop in Odesa, "Environmental Storytelling in Times of Conflict" | INLAND
We’ve just come back from five days in Odesa, Ukraine in the frame of our workshop “Environmental Storytelling in Times of Conflict”, supported by the Journalismfund Europe.
We welcomed 12 Ukrainian photographers for three intense days of discussions around the environment and the impact of the war, mentoring sessions with Inland photographers Mélanie Wenger, Polly Tootal, Tjorven Bruyneel and Matjaž Tančič, story development, and pitching practice with a panel of local experts from different parts of the industry.
Alongside seeing the development of the participants’ works and their willingness to take their projects further, we also witnessed the building of a community of photographers; sharing ideas, feedback and genuine interests in each other’s work and experience. When air raid alerts interrupted our sessions, the students and invited experts wanted to continue with the program, even from a shelter, showing their determination to share stories, to learn, even as the war continues.
This experience reminded us of Inland’s core missions: to educate, transmit, and always encourage cooperation and collaboration. This strengthened our commitment to support the voices of emerging photographers, to continue working and teaching.
Now, the workshop continues online, with the participants taking part in individual mentoring sessions to refine their projects and pitches. At the end of November, a €1,500 grant will be awarded to one of the photographers to help them continue developing their project.
Thank you to all the participants Oleksandra Zborovska, Ivan Samoilov, Mykyta Kuznetsov, Ruslana Kliuchko, Maryna Shtanko, Olena Tytarenko, Tanya Podubienko, Daria Svertilova, Igor Ishchuk, Maryna Brodovska, Anastasiia Leliuk, Kate Hrynko.
A heartfelt thank you to the experts than joined us Iryna Babanina, Yuriy Kvach (Institute of Marine Biology), Kateryna Radchenko, Irynka Hromotska, Anastasia Leonova, Roman Pilipey
Event production : Patrick Wack
Event coordination : Gosha Khubian, Tommaso Rada, Capucine Basselet