Hyères Festival Returns with New Directors and Emerging Image-Makers

The Hyères International Fashion and Photography Festival has returned for its 41st year with new directors at the helm. After a hiccup in 2025, the festival is now officially back on track with Hugo Lucchino as executive director of the Villa Noailles and Magalie Guérin as his deputy and artistic director of the festival. Guérin insists that the festival is not turning a new page, but rather returning to its fundamentals and heritage.

New Directors and Emerging Talent The festival's new directors bring a wealth of experience to the table. Lucchino joins from Palais Galliera, the Paris Museum of Fashion, while Guérin has been with the festival since 2004, rising to become assistant director in 2015. Rebecca Cuglietta, a respected industry insider, is associate assistant director of the Photography Jury for the festival. The festival's focus on fostering young talent remains unchanged, with a emphasis on supporting emerging image-makers who are loosely affiliated with fashion.

Emerging Image-Makers The 2026 finalists include a diverse range of photographers from around the world. The finalists are: These photographers will have the opportunity to showcase their work in a group show, with a dozen prints per shortlisted artist made by SHERIFF PROJECTS.

Awards and Prizes The festival offers several awards and prizes to the emerging image-makers. The Pull&Bear Fashion Photography Prize is launching for the first time, with a €20,000 cash grant and the production of a campaign for the youth retailer. The American Vintage Photography Prize offers €5000 and a fashion photoshoot, while the 7L Photography Jury Grand Prize includes the chance to make a book co-published by Éditions 7L, Atelier EXB, and the Villa Noailles, plus an exhibition held at 7L's Paris space during Paris Photo and PhotoSaintGermain.

The festival will also include a programme of talks, including a presentation by French photographer Camille Vivier, who is heading the 2026 jury. Roxane Moreau will moderate the talks, and has interviewed several French photographers for her podcast 'Dans Le Bain'. The festival remains committed to nurturing young talent, with Guérin emphasizing that 'young talents need support to evolve in the international professional scene.'