Ami Vitale
President of the jury
National Geographic photographer and documentary filmmaker (USA)
Nikon Ambassador and National Geographic photographer and documentary filmmaker, Ami Vitale, has lived in mud huts and war zones and donned a panda suit—all in keeping with her philosophy of “living the story.” She has traveled to more than 100 countries, bearing witness not only to violence and conflict, but also to surreal beauty and to the enduring power of the human spirit. She has turned her lens to compelling wildlife stories, such as returning critically endangered, captive-born species like the giant pandas back to the wild, and efforts to save the last living northern white rhinos from extinction.
Ami's contributions have earned her numerous recognitions, including being called one of the most influential conservation photographers of her generation and being named a Conservation International Innovators Fellow. Recognized as a 2024 inductee into the North Carolina Media and Journalism Hall of Fame, Ami's accolades include prestigious honors like the Missouri Honor Medal for Distinguished Service and the esteemed Lucie Humanitarian Award. In a testament to her impact, Instyle magazine lauded her among fifty Badass Women, a series celebrating women who exemplify courage and action, sharing the spotlight with luminaries like Jane Goodall and Ruth Bader Ginsburg. She has also been named Magazine photographer of the year in the International Photographer of the Year prize, received the Daniel Pearl Award for Outstanding Reporting and is a six-time recipient of World Press Photos.
Beyond her photography, Ami is the founder and Executive Director of Vital Impacts, a non-profit organization harnessing the power of art to inspire and mobilize youth as agents of change. A sought-after speaker worldwide, she continues to share her experiences and insights, and audiences can anticipate her upcoming feature on the National Geographic Channel Explorer TV series in 2025.
www.amivitale.com