From July 8 to 12, L’Œil de la Photographie revisits the story of FUJIKINA and highlights from its inaugural edition in Arles in 2024, coinciding with the opening week of Les Rencontres d’Arles.
With over 3,000 visitors at its launch in Arles last year, FUJIKINA quickly established itself as a major event in the photography world. Since 2020, Japanese manufacturer Fujifilm has taken the FUJIKINA experience to leading cultural capitals among them Tokyo, New York, Berlin, Stockholm, Prague, and Milan bringing together professional photographers, enthusiasts, and industry experts to explore the world of photography while showcasing the brand’s latest technological innovations.
Though the name FUJIKINA is often associated with Fujifilm’s high-end cameras and printing systems, the event is much more than a product showcase. It is a celebration of photography in all its forms. Each edition includes workshops, talks, exhibitions, and artistic collaborations. FUJIKINA serves as a platform to display the full spectrum of Fujifilm’s expertise, with photographic works ranging from street photography and portraiture to photojournalism and experimental art. Over just a few years, the event has become a key gathering for photography professionals, content creators, and consumers a space where technical innovation meets creative expression.
Fujifilm’s relationship with Arles is well-established, notably through its ongoing loan of photographic equipment to students at the École Nationale Supérieure de la Photographie (ENSP). In 2024, the company strengthened this connection by becoming a major partner of the festival’s workshop program, offering several free workshops led by its brand ambassadors. In 2025, this partnership takes a new step with the addition of a dedicated conference series co-organized with Les Rencontres d’Arles, now officially included in the festival’s opening week program.
The choice of the Hôtel Quiqueran de Beaujeu as the venue for FUJIKINA reflects Fujifilm’s commitment to honoring Arles’ photographic heritage. The 17th-century building—once home to the ENSP—was partially restored with support from Fujifilm and reopened to the public in 2024. Its renovation also paved the way for the opening of “Arles Créative,” a new space dedicated to emerging visual media.
Paying tribute to the building’s legacy, an exhibition featuring the work of ENSP alumnae Marie-Anne Hervé and Elsa Martinez (working as the duo Hervé & Martinez) will be presented. Portfolio reviews will also be held, offering young photographers a chance to showcase their work. Fujifilm places strong emphasis on supporting emerging talent. Photographer Julien Apruzzese, a Fujifilm ambassador for over a decade, credits the company with playing a key role in his professional journey:
“These are the same people who have supported me since the beginning. I’ve been a photographer for 11 years—my first camera was a Fujifilm, and I’ve never used anything else. They’ve watched me grow.”
Now a commercial photographer and founder of a visual production studio for brands and artists, Apruzzese regularly tests new Fujifilm equipment and appreciates the depth of the partnership:
“It’s not just financial. They genuinely support me and are involved in every one of my projects. I wouldn’t be where I am today without them.”
Last year’s FUJIKINA program featured two major exhibitions: a unique collaboration with Magnum Photos on the theme of connection, with works by Peter van Agtmael, Carolyn Drake, Lorenzo Meloni, and Lua Ribeira, and a study of color and spontaneity by Aliocha Boi and Christopher Barraja. Photowalks led by Fujifilm ambassadors offered participants the chance to test gear in real-life settings. Talks and panel discussions added depth, exploring themes such as photographic subjectivity, documentary practices, and fashion photography.
This year’s edition promises a new array of photographic highlights, including a group exhibition titled “A World in Colour,” developed in collaboration with Magnum Photos. FUJIKINA will once again benefit from the support of Arles Créative and will feature exhibitions and student portfolio reviews from ENSP.
Zoé Isle de Beauchaine
