Tokyo International Photography Awards 2020: Spéos alumni once again win numerous prizes

The Tokyo International Photography Awards (TIFA) promotes outstanding photography talents from all over the world, giving them recognition and visibility both in Japan and internationally.

As in previous years, we are happy about numerous Spéos alumni amongst the winners!

In the professional section, Gold in the Editorial / Personality category goes to Zhenzhen Cao for her series “Confinement on Another Planets”, depicting her own quirky dreams during the covid-19 pandemic. This series also won an honorable mention in the Portfolio category. A former graphic and motion designer, Zhenzhen now is a photographer and artist working between Paris and China. She obtained the RNCP Photographer Title in 1 year.

In the student section, Silver is won by Yi-Chen Lee in the Advertising / Beauty category for “Sanitary Beauty” — a rather ironic depiction of people’s attitude towards the covid-19 epidemic before its outbreak in Europe. Originally from Taiwan, Yi-Chen currently lives in Paris, focusing on social commentaries and questions dealing with identity and stereotypes.
He graduated with the RNCP Photographer Title in 1 year.

Bronze in Fine Art is won by two Spéos alumni:

Mikelle Standbridge for “Photo-Bodies: In Between The Edge of A Stitched Soul” on skin and scars, both of which link or separate a person’s body from their soul. Mikelle attended a longer version of what now is the full summer program.
Gaspard Pastural for “Nature Morte”, a very literal interpretation of the subject matter, depicting his fear of climate change. Gaspard graduated with the RNCP Photographer Title in 1 year.

Last but not least, amongst the honorable mentions, we wish to congratulate Shengqi Tang on two of his winning series, “Fencing Worldcup” and “Inside and Outside”. Shengqi graduated from the Professional Photography in 1 year Program.