ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Hyères Festival Returns with New Directors and 10 Photography Finalists

festival-fair · 2026-08-11

The 41st edition of the Hyères International Fashion and Photography Festival is set to take place under new management following a financial crisis that resulted in the resignation of founder Jean-Pierre Blanc last summer, who left behind nearly €4 million in debts. Scheduled for October 2025, the festival will be led by executive director Hugo Lucchino and deputy artistic director Magalie Guérin. For the 2026 edition, ten up-and-coming photographers have been shortlisted, with Camille Vivier heading the jury. The festival features three awards: the Pull&Bear Fashion Photography Prize (€20,000), the American Vintage Photography Prize (€5,000), and the 7L Photography Jury Grand Prize. It will occur from 15-18 October, with exhibitions available until 11 January 2027.

Key facts

  • Hyères International Fashion and Photography Festival returns for its 41st year with new directors.
  • Founder Jean-Pierre Blanc stepped down last summer with debts of nearly €4 million.
  • Hugo Lucchino is executive director of Villa Noailles; Magalie Guérin is artistic director.
  • Rebecca Cuglietta is associate assistant director of the Photography Jury.
  • Ten finalists include photographers from China, Switzerland, France, Italy, Hong Kong, Japan, and Italy/US.
  • Jury president is Camille Vivier, a 1998 prize winner.
  • New Pull&Bear Fashion Photography Prize offers €20,000 cash grant.
  • 7L Photography Jury Grand Prize includes a book co-published by Éditions 7L, Atelier EXB, and Villa Noailles.
  • Festival takes place 15-18 October; exhibitions open until 11 January 2027.

Entities

Artists

  • Honglin Cai
  • Xueling Chen
  • Zacharie Lewertoff
  • Lorane Hochstatter
  • Julien Rahmani
  • Sidonie Ronfard
  • Giulia Frigieri
  • Yun Ki Ng
  • Motoki Nakatani
  • Valeria Sarto
  • Camille Vivier
  • Jean-Pierre Blanc
  • Hugo Lucchino
  • Magalie Guérin
  • Rebecca Cuglietta
  • Roxane Moreau
  • Jean-Vincent Simonet
  • Thaddé Comar
  • Arhant Shrestha

Institutions

  • Hyères International Fashion and Photography Festival
  • Villa Noailles
  • Palais Galliera
  • 254Forest
  • Chanell
  • Hermès
  • MEP
  • Pull&Bear
  • American Vintage
  • Éditions 7L
  • Atelier EXB
  • SHERIFF PROJECTS
  • Paris Photo
  • PhotoSaintGermain
  • 1854 Photography

Locations

  • Hyères
  • France
  • Paris
  • Switzerland
  • China
  • Italy
  • Hong Kong
  • Japan
  • Nepal

Sources