Snap to it! Mencap photography exhibition launches in London

Friday 24 September 2010

Mencap has announced the winners of its annual Snap! film and photography competition. A distinguished panel of judges selected the winners from a total of 433 entries by hopefuls across the UK and internationally, during an intense day of judging at Somerset House.

The winning photographs and their accompanying stories will go on display in London's Soho Square from 28 September to 12 October, before travelling the UK in a major touring exhibition. Last year's winning images and films were seen by over 9 million people.

In line with this year's new ‘being active' theme, entrants were asked to submit images and films showing what makes them happy, sad, angry, proud or excited about being active. The theme was chosen to celebrate the fact that people with a learning disability will now be able to compete in the 2012 Paralympics, following the overturn of a ban that was brought into effect in November 2009. As in other years, all entries were by or of someone with a learning disability, and the activities captured on film include trampolining, boxing, go-karting, gardening and jet-skiing.

Mark Goldring, Mencap's chief executive, said: "Each one of this year's winners is a window onto the world of the photographer and his or her experience of learning disability. What better celebration of the decision to include competitors with a learning disability in the 2012 Paralympics, than these photographs capturing so many people's passion for sport, leisure and the outdoors?"

Nina Clarke member of the Snap! judging panel said, "Every year the judging panel is impressed by the power and imagination of so many of the entries to Snap! - but this year's were truly outstanding. The ‘active' theme has clearly fuelled people's enthusiasm and creativity, and resulted in some really exceptional images. It has been a real joy to discover these and the stories behind them."

Each of the six categories had two gold, two silver, two bronze awards as well as runners up. The seven categories are: Active together, Me time, Sporting Hero, Local life, Trips, Sports person and Getting out. In addition, seven FUJIFILM Special Awards were given to entries that were considered outstanding. One gold, one silver and one bronze prize were awarded in the film category. 33 other entries were given commendation as the ‘Best of the rest'.

Gold, silver and bronze winners, and FUJIFILM Special Award winners, each receive a state-of-the-art digital camera, which they will be awarded by Mencap celebrity supporters at a gala ceremony on Wednesday 29 September at the Curzon cinema in Soho.

Snap! is sponsored by FUJIFILM UK Ltd and the Sorrell Foundation, and supported by Proud Camden. 

-ENDS-

For further information, winning images, interviews or a full list of winners, contact Michelle Fowler in the Mencap media team on 020 7696 5603 or email michelle.fowler@mencap.org.uk

Notes to editors

• Now in its eighth year, Snap! is open to anyone with a learning disability, their friends, carers and families. The competition has attracted thousands of entries since it began.

• Snap! was judged by Tom Doust (The Sorrell Foundation, Director of education), Ben Rosenberg (Snap! 2008 winner with a learning disability), Eamonn McCabe (multi-award-winning press photographer), Gary Harvey (125 Magazine Fashion Director) Kate Spicer (journalist and Masterchef judge), Nigel Tanburn (Director of Photojournalism at London College Communication, University of Arts), Nina Clarke (Mencap creative services manager), Dean Meuleman (Mencap staff member with a learning disability), Jon Cohen (FUJIFILM UK Ltd)

• The exhibition will be touring across the UK with dates confirmed in Belfast, Newcastle, Portsmouth, Bedford, Liverpool and Birmingham. For full details go to www.mencap.org.uk/snap

• About Mencap

Mencap supports the 1.5 million people with a learning disability in the UK and their families and carers. Mencap fights to change laws and improve services and access to education, employment and leisure facilities, supporting thousands of people with a learning disability to live their lives the way they want.

We are also one of the largest providers of services, information and advice for people with a learning disability across England, Northern Ireland and Wales. See http://www.mencap.org.uk/ for more information.

• The Sorrell Foundation

The Sorrell Foundation was set up to inspire creativity in young people and to improve the quality of life through good design.

The Sorrell Foundation has supported Snap! since it was conceived in 2002 by Frances Sorrell, who was then Trustee of Mencap. 

For more information visit http://www.thesorrellfoundation.com/

• FUJIFILM UK Ltd
  

Mencap has been Fujifilm's charity partner for the last 14 years. Fujifilm's financial support and specialist knowledge has helped Mencap to create a Media Library, which contains the core visuals for the majority of Mencap's work.

Fujifilm is a global leader in imaging technology, products and services including digital cameras, photofinishing, digital storage and recording media, consumer and professional film, motion picture film, professional video, printing systems, medical imaging, office technology, flat panel displays and graphic arts.

In the UK, Fujifilm has been supplying the imaging, printing and graphics industries, as well as consumers, professional and enthusiast photographers, with high quality, innovative products and services for over 25 years. FUJIFILM UK Ltd currently employs more than 450 people and has become one of the country's most popular photographic and imaging brands.

• About learning disability

A learning disability is caused by the way the brain develops before, during or shortly after birth. It is always lifelong and affects someone's intellectual and social development. It used to be called mental handicap but this term is outdated and offensive. Learning disability is NOT a mental illness.

The term learning difficulty is often incorrectly used interchangeably with learning disability.