The 7th edition of the Underwater Image Festival of New Caledonia, organized by the association Subl’image, took place from September 7 to 11 in Nouméa. It was within the largest French marine protected area, with six lagoon and coral reef sites listed as UNESCO World Heritage, that underwater image enthusiasts gathered. Open to all photographers and filmmakers from mainland France, overseas territories, and worldwide, the works presented had to be taken in a tropical environment only, a condition sine qua non for participating in this festival.
Photo above: Image from the thematic series by Jack Berthomier, who received the Gold Clam and the public prize “A dead leaf, a life” – Goby under dead leaf
The winners list
Photographs– Gold Manta: “ Sweet frenzies ” by Matthieu Junker
– Silver Manta: “ Calm on the Humboldt ” by David Tétard
– Bronze Manta: “A lightning attack in the green waters of the mangrove ” by Jack Berthomier
– Public Prize: “ Surfer Fish group ” by Gilles Chabaud
– Special Jury Prize: “ When a light… ” by Karine Rabasse
– Special Emotion Mention: “ A baby seal posing for the camera ” by Symus Gino
Thematic Series– Gold Clam: “A dead leaf, a life” by Jack Berthomier
– Silver Clam: “ Nocturnal Mantas in the Maldives ” by Emmanuelle Camallonga
– Bronze Clam: “ Off-white ” by Hugues Lemonnier
– Public Prize: “ A dead leaf, a life ” by Jack BerthomierSlideshow Contest– Gold Turtle: “The Strangers” by Yves Gillet (3’40)
– Silver Turtle: “ Face to face ” by Markus Fleute (5’38)
– Bronze Turtle: “ Sad Days ” by Matthieu Junker (4’38)
– Public Prize: “ Sad Days ” by Matthieu Junker (4’38)
– Humor Prize: “ Wisdom ” by Sylvain Charrière (4’18)
Short Film Contest– Gold Dugong: “ I’m just a shark ” by Julien Marck (3’39)
– Silver Dugong: “ The People of the Night ” by Armand Daydé (4’20)
– Bronze Dugong: “ Imagine ” by Pierre Lavigne (3’27)
– Public Prize: “ Where Dreams Remain ” by Franck CharpentierClips Contest– Gold Nautile: “ Nudi-A-Nu ” by Frank Charpentier (2’00)
– Silver Nautile: “ The Grand Gathering ” by Pascale Briançon (1’52)
– Bronze Nautile: “ Mother Grouper at the Dentist ” by Samuel Joy (1’34)
– Public Prize: “ Nudi-A-Nu ” by Frank Charpentier (2’00)Young Hope ContestOrganized during the festival, this competition consisted of taking a photograph in an aquarium. The winner is Enola Noukouan, aged 11.