From 700 photographs, some 50 finalists were selected along with some internationally renown photographers, with their photos auctioned to raise money for heart operations for some 15 children from developing countries.
EICAR International Department director Bob Swaim said « it was an honor for us to participate in this event along with such prestigious partners and media professionals such as Studio Harcourt, PHOTO Magazine and Fotodart. We also felt, as a multicultural institution with some 65 different nationalities represented in our student body, that this was more than appropriate. EICAR intends to be more and more present in international endeavors such as this. »
Director Swaim was not only a member of the jury but also a consultant in the organization of the event. The Grand Prix Photo was organized by the Rotary Club for the French charity La Chaîne de l’Espoir dedicated to providing heart operation and high end medical assistance to children in Africa and South America.
French actress Mireille Darc, the sponsor of La Chaîne de l’Espoir Association, also joined the jury presided by Francis Dagnan, Director of Studio Harcourt, along with Maria Elena Cuomo, Douglas Kennedy, Didier Bizos, Patrick Blin, Agnès Grégoire and Claude Mollard.
