Visa pour l'Image's official homepage, with the festival team and Leroy's family, announced the death of founding director Jean-François Leroy this Monday morning, 31 August 2026. AFP (France24 11:39; franceinfo) reports he died of cancer at his Paris home, age 69, among relatives. He founded the Perpignan photojournalism festival in 1989. The 38th edition continues 29 August–13 September 2026 (free; professional week 31 August–5 September). Director-general Delphine Lelu told AFP he prepared this edition from start to finish. The festival is not cancelled.