Tributes have been pouring in for Jean-François Leroy, the founder of the Visa pour l'image photojournalism festival, who died on Monday at the age of 69.
Issued on: 31/08/2026 - 17:23
2 min Reading time
Leroy, who had been battling against cancer, established the Visa pour l’image in Perpignan, south-western France in 1989. The event grew into the most important celebration of the role and importance of photojournalism on the planet. "He is the soul of this festival," said festival managing director Delphine Lelu. "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." Absence due to illness For the first time in 38 years, the former photographer was absent from the opening ceremony on Saturday. Leroy's family announced his death in Paris on Monday. Lelu said that Leroy had been involved with the planning of the festival despite his illness. His final editorial for the festival referred to a fake image of the handcuffed Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro flanked by two marines. "Reputable media outlets and journalists who have grown up on social media – which they have come to regard as a source of information – were taken in," wrote Leroy. AI challenges trust in photography as Visa pour l’Image festival opens "But paradoxically, the AI revolution and its consequences may well be journalism’s greatest opportunity for survival. Since these models, to be effective, must be fed with reliable, up-to-date and verified data, who is better placed to do so than news professionals?" Born in Paris on 8 October, 1956, Leroy learned the tricks of trade thanks to an aunt who, as editor-in-chief of La Vie catholique, allowed him to dabble with the chemicals in the darkroom at the office. Despite such privileged access, he began studying medicine before switching to philosophy. He contributed to the magazines Photo-Reporter, Le Photographe and Photo-Revue. He was editor-in-chief of Photo Magazine between 1985 to 1987 before devoting himself to the festival in Perpignan. Enduring influence The Franco-Iranian photographer Reza hailed Leroy for transforming the city into a meeting place for the photojournalist community. "He had a huge impact on the profession of photojournalism," added Reza. "And he uncovered many international talents. His influence will endure." Claudia Rahola, head of the photo department at the French news agency AFP said: "AFP mourns the loss of Jean-François Leroy, a tireless champion of photojournalism. Global press freedom in 'deplorable' state, journalism federation chief tells RFI "Throughout the various editions of Visa pour l’image, Jean-François left us with the memory of a passionate professional, gifted with a rare instinct for spotting and unearthing new talent." Appointing him a Chevalier de l'ordre National du Mérite in 2005, France's culture minister Renaud Donnedieu de Vabres, saluted Leroy for making Visa pour l’Image an unprecedented cultural and media event. "You say that we talk a great deal about the duty to remember and rightly so, but that we should also talk about the duty to see – to look at all these images of our world," added Donnedieu de Vabres. "You have succeeded in bringing together the public, professionals, elected officials, and political, economic and social leaders around an ambition that is essential to our times: to open our eyes." ► Visa pour l'Image runs from 29 August to 13 September, 2026.
