Jean-François Leroy, founder of Visa pour l'Image, dies at 69

Festival founder dies during 38th edition

Jean-François Leroy, the founder of the international photojournalism festival Visa pour l'Image, died on Monday at the age of 69, as reported by The Manila Times and RFI — English. Leroy had been battling cancer severe enough that he was absent from the festival's opening ceremony on Saturday for the first time in its 38-year history.

The festival announced his death in a statement on its Instagram account, saying: "The entire Visa pour l'Image – Perpignan team and all of Jean-Francois Leroy's family are deeply saddened to announce the death, on the morning of Monday, August 31, of the founder and historic director of the international photojournalism festival."

A life devoted to photojournalism

Leroy, born in Paris on 8 October 1956, founded Visa pour l'Image in Perpignan in 1989, according to RFI — English. The festival, held annually in the southern French city, has become the world's only event dedicated exclusively to press photography, The Manila Times reported.

Before founding the festival, Leroy served as editor-in-chief of Photo Magazine, as noted by RFI — English. His career in photojournalism spanned decades, and his influence was widely recognized. Franco-Iranian photographer Reza told RFI: "He had a huge impact on the profession of photojournalism." Claudia Rahola, a representative of AFP, said Leroy was "a tireless champion of photojournalism," as quoted by RFI.

Tributes and legacy

Following his death, tributes flowed in from colleagues and admirers, RFI reported. Festival managing director Delphine Lelu said: "He is the soul of this festival. He has carried it on his shoulders since the first edition in 1989." She added that Leroy had been involved in planning this year's event despite his illness, having taken part "from A to Z" in its preparation, The Manila Times reported.

Leroy's absence from Saturday's opening ceremony marked the first time in 38 years he had not attended, a fact noted by both The Manila Times and RFI. His family announced his death in Paris on Monday, RFI reported.

In his final editorial for the festival, Leroy addressed the challenges and opportunities of artificial intelligence in journalism, referring to a fake image that circulated of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro handcuffed and flanked by 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," he wrote, as quoted by RFI. He added: "But paradoxically, the AI revolution and its consequences may well be journalism's greatest opportunity for survival."

Festival managing director Delphine Lelu, quoted by both The Manila Times and RFI, said Leroy remained involved in planning this year's event despite his illness, describing him as "the soul of this festival." Lelu added: "He has carried it on his shoulders since the first edition in 1989."

Festival continues amidst loss

Despite his illness, Leroy remained involved in the planning of this year's festival. Delphine Lelu, the festival's managing director, said: "He is the soul of this festival… he has carried it on his shoulders since the first edition in 1989," according to RFI — English. The Manila Times quoted Lelu saying he participated "from A to Z in the preparation" of the event.

Leroy's family announced his death in Paris on Monday, RFI reported. The festival, which runs from 29 August to 13 September, continues in Perpignan, the city Leroy helped turn into a global gathering point for photojournalists.