Without ReFOCUS, I would
never have the knowledge
or confidence to start my
own photographer's journey”
- Olena Soinikova
challenge 05 HOME: photo winners
OUR PHOTOGRAPHY CHALLENGES
OUR WORK FEATURED IN
OUR PHOTOGRAPHY
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DOCUMENTARY
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PORTRAIT
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THEMATICS
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REPORTAGE
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STREET
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ARTISTIC
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STORYTELLING
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NATURE
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LIVE EVENTS
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CLIENT- PARTNERS
EXHIBITIONS & features
In 2017 ReFOCUS piloted photography workshops with asylum seekers at One Happy Family community center on the Greek island of Lesvos.
With overwhelming demand, we formally incorporated our foundation, and have been providing access to professional media creation tools and helped foster new visual artists within the refugee community ever since.
Since humble beginnings, ReFOCUS has expanded to offer formal photography training programs and special workshops throughout Europe, and our original photography has been internationally exhibited, and featured in publications and reportage with international media partners.
ReFOCUSxPhotography
offers formal photography training programs and special workshops throughout Europe, and our original photography has been internationally exhibited, and featured in publications and reportage with international media partners.
Our signature Art Under Pressure Arts Festival opened in Athens (2023), and since has traveled around Europe and American cities including- Lucerne, Valencia, Berlin, London, New York, and Philadelphia.
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Led by professional photographers and filmmakers from around the world, ReFOCUS Media Labs courses have given students the ability to express themselves and share stories of struggle and resilience.
Students go on to make their own films, work as freelance journalists, chronicling the migrant experience.
And many others remain with ReFOCUS to teach new waves of asylum seekers, who often struggle to find work in a foreign country where they do not speak the language.“When I was little, it was my dream” to make movies, says Maliheh. “Now, I can.”
FEATURE STORY
by Lawrence Andrea -
Our annual arts festival showcasing photography, graphic design, music video, films, and reportage by our ReFOCUS community of international artists.
Live performances, DJ sets , and lively talks with journalists and industry professionals compliment the massive showcase of visual art.
Since our first festival at the famous Romantso in Athens, Greece (2023), our festival events are touring European and American cities including Lucerne, Valencia, Berlin, London, New York and Philadelphia.
Get in touch for upcoming shows, events, exhibitions, and publications,
SEE THE SHOW -
ReFOCUS Media Labs has created an international network of media creators, predominantly with refugee backgrounds, who apply their developed media skills in the service of your media needs.
It’s easy to ask what a client wants, but we take the time to see what you really need, and we're eager to develop meaningful long-term relationships as your needs change and evolve.
Our creative team has developed amazing client-partnerships in recent years working with musicians for live events, NGOs, conferences, and special events.
Recent Client-Partners include:
Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, NYU- New York University, Sea Watch, Ben & Jerry's, Allianz Foundation, IRC- International Rescue Committee, Better Days, Glocal Roots, Safe Place International, Yoga & Sport With Refugees, to name a few.
More are joining our community each day. Reach out, let’s talk!
EXPLORE OUR GALLERIES -
ReFOCUS has been privileged to partner with scores of major media networks in reportage from within the humanitarian crisis zone.
From peaceful protests against inhumane and illegal conditions inside refugee camps, to unrest on Lesvos from fascist forces, to the impacts of CoVid-19, ReFOCUS has been a constant and dedicated source of news and in-depth coverage.
LEARN MORE, VIEW OUR REPORTAGE -
Seeking asylum in Europe has never been easy, but nothing prepared us for what unfolded on the Greek island of Lesvos in 2020.
A multimedia interactive exhibit of photography, video, reportage, VR/360 video, and audio interviews provides an insider’s perspective, conveying what it means to be a refugee in modern Europe.
Our interactive exhibit was the center piece of the multimedia showcase at Human Rights Film Festival Berlin (2021).
LEARN MORE -
ALTERNATIVES HUMANITAIRES
ReFOCUS citizen journalists, who documented the frightful moments on the days and nights of the fires that destroyed Moria camp, continued to document the days and months to follow in the temporary new camp, clarifying a brighter day for human rights was not dawning.
FULL PHOTO STORY BELOW -
The images from Moria shown in a new project by the NGO "Sea Watch", in collaboration with ReFOCUS Media Lbs artists living inside the camp are all the more astonishing: people dance and pray under olive trees, they sing and laugh together, do sports and fly kites.
Photographers from ReFOCUS worked with photojournalist JULIAN BUSCH to create impressive reportage and made videos that not only show the continued great misery and desperation of the people, but also positive moments.
FULL PHOTO STORY BELOW -
During the COVID-19 pandemic Greek authorities did not put protective plans in place to address the acute overcrowding and lack of health care, access to adequate water, sanitation, and hygiene products in refugee camps throughout the country.
Human Rights Watch worked with ReFOCUS photojournalists living inside Moria camp on Lesvos, in their official report on Greece’s inadequate response to the crisis.“While the Greek government is working to stop the spread of the virus, the images of the squalid conditions in camps on the islands make clear that it’s not complying with minimum preventive and protective measures against Covid-19 there,” said Belkis Wille, senior Crisis and Conflict researcher at Human Rights Watch. “Even hand-washing and social distancing are impossible in these circumstances.”
FULL REPORT BELOW
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Every quarter ReFOCUS partners with a practicing professional photographer who serves as a judge/mentor to review work submitted by current and former ReFOCUS students.
Recent themes we have explored include Light & Shadow, Color, Street photography and People. Recent judges include photojournalists LARS SCHMIDT, MELCHIOR DIAS SANTOS, SAYED HABIB-BIDDEL, and JORDAN SIEGEL.
Our first theme of 2025 will be "Home", with National Geographic Explorer and Photojournalist HAILEY SADLER serving as official judge/mentor.
SCROLL DOWN for our latest challenge and WINNING IMAGES
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NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC FEATURE
Led by professional photographers and filmmakers from around the world, ReFOCUS Media Labs courses have given students the ability to express themselves and share stories of struggle and resilience.
Students go on to make their own films, work as freelance journalists, chronicling the migrant experience.
And many others remain with ReFOCUS to teach new waves of asylum seekers, who often struggle to find work in a foreign country where they do not speak the language.“When I was little, it was my dream” to make movies, says Maliheh. “Now, I can.”
FEATURE STORY
by Lawrence Andrea -
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ART UNDER PRESSURE
Our annual showcase of work by our international community of creators, musicians, and DJs who all work to unify in the face of forces determined to divide.
Live performances and DJ sets complimented a wide array of film screenings, original photography, graphic design, music videos and reportage.
Since 2017, hundreds of artists from around the world have developed their visual communication skills and artistic voices in our community. The Festival serves as a vehicle to bring their work to the big screen, and to professional galleries around the world.
Since the inaugural show in Athens (2023) Art Under Pressure continues to tour European and American cities including Lucerne, Valencia, Berlin, London, New York and Philadelphia.
Reach out to learn more about upcoming events, and schedule one in your own city. -
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CLIENT-PARTNERS
ReFOCUS Media Labs has created an international network of media creators, predominantly with refugee backgrounds, who apply their developed media skills in the service of your media needs.
It’s easy to ask what a client wants, but we take the time to see what you really need, and we're eager to develop meaningful long-term relationships as your needs change and evolve.
Our creative team has developed amazing client-partnerships in recent years working with musicians for live events, NGOs, conferences, and special events.
Recent Client-Partners include:
Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, NYU- New York University, Sea Watch, Ben & Jerry's, Allianz Foundation, IRC- International Rescue Committee, Better Days, Glocal Roots, Safe Place International, Yoga & Sport With Refugees, to name a few.
More are joining our community each day.
Reach out, let’s talk! -
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TRAPPED IN THE PLAYGROUND
Seeking asylum in Europe has never been easy, but nothing prepared us for what unfolded on the Greek island of Lesvos in 2020.
A multimedia interactive exhibit of photography, video, reportage, VR/360 video, and audio interviews provides an insider’s perspective, conveying what it means to be a refugee in modern Europe.
Our interactive exhibit was the centerpiece of the multimedia showcase at Human Rights Film Festival Berlin (2021).
LEARN MORE -
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BYE BYE MORIA?
ALTERNATIVES HUMANITAiRES
In September 2020 the Greek island of Lesvos made a brief return to the media cycle when fires destroyed the camp, forcing over 13,000 people to the streets.
Desperate to secure humanitarian services while the Greek government and military limited access for NGOs and journalists to report, most were hoping a new day had dawned with the death of the most notorious camp on European soil.
ReFOCUS citizen journalists, who documented the frightful moments on the eves of the fires, continued to document the days and months to follow in the temporary new camp, clarifying a brighter day for human rights was not dawning. -
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MORIA MONITOR
The images from Moria shown in a new project by the NGO "Sea Watch" with ReFOCUS Media Labs are all the more astonishing: people dance and pray under olive trees, they sing and laugh together, do sports and fly kites. Photographers from ReFOCUS worked with journalists to create impressive reportage and made videos that not only show the continued great misery and desperation of the people, but also positive moments.
The people behind the camera also write their own story. Almost all of them live in the camp themselves and are part of a non-profit training project. The Refocus Media Labs network teaches the refugees media and journalistic tools and prepares them on site for their future working lives after their time in the camp. Through their eyes, Moria and its residents come particularly close to the viewer in the pictures. -
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HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH
(Athens) – Greek authorities have not done enough to address the acute overcrowding and lack of health care, access to adequate water, sanitation, and hygiene products to limit the spread of Covid-19 in camps for asylum seekers, Human Rights Watch said today. Greece’s government should immediately take measures to protect those most at risk of Covid-19 in the island camps to avert a public health crisis.
“While the Greek government is working to stop the spread of the virus, the images of the squalid conditions in camps on the islands make clear that it’s not complying with minimum preventive and protective measures against Covid-19 there,” said Belkis Wille, senior Crisis and Conflict researcher at Human Rights Watch. “Even handwashing and social distancing are impossible in these circumstances.”
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PHOTO CHALLENGE 04: PEOPLE
official judge & mentor:
JORDAN SIEGEL
Every quarter ReFOCUS partners with a practicing professional photographer who serves as a judge/mentor to review work submitted by current and former ReFOCUS students.
Recent themes we have explored include Light & Shadow, Color, People, Street.
Our first theme of 2025 will be "Home", with National Geographic Explorer and Photojournalist Hailey Sadler serving as official judge/mentor.
SCROLL DOWN for our latest challenge and WINNING IMAGES -
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PHOTO CHALLENGE 03: STREET
official judge & mentor:
SAYED HABIB=BIDDEL
Every quarter ReFOCUS partners with a practicing professional photographer who serves as a judge/mentor to review work submitted by current and former ReFOCUS students.
Recent themes we have explored include Light & Shadow, Color, People, Street.
Our first theme of 2025 will be "Home", with National Geographic Explorer and Photojournalist Hailey Sadler serving as official judge/mentor.
SCROLL DOWN for our latest challenge and WINNING IMAGES -
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PHOTO CHALLENGE 02: COLOR
official judge & mentor:
MELCHIOR DIAS SANTOS
Every quarter ReFOCUS partners with a practicing professional photographer who serves as a judge/mentor to review work submitted by current and former ReFOCUS students.
Recent themes we have explored include Light & Shadow, Color, People, Street.
Our first theme of 2025 will be "Home", with National Geographic Explorer and Photojournalist Hailey Sadler serving as official judge/mentor.
SCROLL DOWN for our latest challenge and WINNING IMAGES -
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PHOTO CHALLENGE 01: LIGHT & SHADOW
official judge & mentor
LARS SCHMIDT
Every quarter ReFOCUS partners with a practicing professional photographer who serves as a judge/mentor to review work submitted by current and former ReFOCUS students.
Recent themes we have explored include Light & Shadow, Color, People, Street.
Our first theme of 2025 will be "Home", with National Geographic Explorer and Photojournalist Hailey Sadler serving as official judge/mentor.
SCROLL DOWN for our latest challenge and WINNING IMAGES
OUR PARTNERS AND SUPPORTERS
