Mencap’s Snap! Competition- Previews Of Winning Images Released

I have just recieved the press release below from Mencap.

Mencap have today released six preview winning images from this year’s Snap!, their annual film and photography competition, following the judging last month.

The judging for the competition, which is sponsored by FUJIFILM UK Ltd and The Sorrell Foundation, took place in July at Somerset House in London’s West End. The panel of 11 judges included journalist Kate Spicer, Lady Frances Sorrell, creative director Gary Harvey, two members of Mencap’s learning disability panel; Lorainne Bellamy and Dean Meuleman, and former Snap! 2010 winners, John and Shauna Hogan.

Kate Spicer comments: “The quality of the photographs is improving every year, and the stories they tell have real depth and impact. I loved the opportunity to look at every single entrant’s story, not just the winner’s, it’s a privilege.”

The panel sifted through over 600 strong entries to pick 32 photographs and four films as this year’s winners. These will be awarded prizes ranging from gold down to highly commended in the different categories.

To give a tantalising glimpse of the standard of the winning entries, Mencap have today released six preview images. These range from one entry entitled ‘True friendship’, a moving photo in the My heroes category of two friends who both have a learning disability to an entry in the My achievements category called ‘My mum says I’m sociable now!’ The latter is an engaging image of six year old Sebastian who has autism, settling into his after school club after initial difficulties.

Stacey Foster’s entry of ‘True friendship’ reads: “This is my very special friend from the day centre we attend. Even though I can’t speak it doesn’t bother him and he makes me smile and he makes me laugh every time I see him.”

Mencap’s head of communications, Sarah Bernard, says: “We’ve had some incredible entries in this year’s Snap. I think the judges have done a great job in choosing a selection of images which show a range of styles and subject matters. The preview images give people a taste of the great standard they can expect to see at the awards ceremony in September. People with a learning disability often face barriers in communicating with others, these images show a fantastic and creative insight into their world.”

The remaining 30 winners will be revealed at the prestigious celebrity awards ceremony on 13 September 2011 at London’s Rich Mix arts centre in Shoreditch. After the ceremony there will be a winner’s exhibition firstly at Fuji’s headquarters in Bedford and later at the Rich Mix gallery.

To view the six preview images go to www.mencap.org.uk/node/12897

Snap! is sponsored by FUJIFILM UK Ltd and The Sorrell Foundation.