Jean-François Leroy who directed festival of photojournalism dies at 69
French journalist Jean-François Leroy, founder and director of Visa pour l’Image, a leading photojournalism festival, has died after a long battle with cancer.
Mr Leroy died on August 31, just as the 38th edition of Visa pour l’Image, which he became famous for after establishing the festival in 1989, kicked off in France.
He was 69.
Mr Leroy was born in Paris, France, in 1956 and worked as a photographer for Sipa Press and editor-in-chief of Photo Magazine before founding Visa pour l’Image.
Meanwhile, tributes have poured in from people who knew Mr Leroy and recognised his contribution to photojournalism globally.
“He is the soul of this festival,” Visa pour l’Image managing director Delphine Lelu told RFI. “He has carried it on his shoulders since the very first edition in 1989. He leaves us a great legacy. He always wanted Perpignan to be a beacon for photojournalists, and we will ensure that the festival continues to shine.”
Jillian Edelstein, who won the Visa d’Or in 1997 for her work on South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission, described Mr Leroy’s demise as tragic.
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