And the winner of the 2011 Choose Film Distinctions Awards is….

WINNER – PIETRO PAOLINI

1) How does it feel to take first place in the ChooseFilm Distinctions Awards 2011?

I’m very pleased to receive the award! I spent three years working in Bolivia on my personal project, trying to produce interesting images that followed my inspiration, and this award gives me the conscience that this effort and the visual direction I took was good. The strongest feeling is the encouragement to go forward, to work more and more and trust my instinct.

2) What will you be doing to celebrate?

First we will be going to a good restaurant. Here in Tuscany we are expert on this – good food, good wine and good friends, there’s no better way to celebrate!  Next I will ticket to go back to South America as soon as possible.

3) How did interpret the theme of ‘Changes’ within your image?

“Changes” is a concept close to my heart and to my work. I’m interested in countries that are in periods of change; Bolivia is the poorest country of South America, and is currently undergoing a deep cultural change with the election of the first indigenous president in a country where the 80% of population are indigenous people. I think this image gives an unexpected representation of Bolivia – skyscrapers, business, and contemporaneity. It’s not a classical image from the Andean Plateau, but rather represents the moment of change and development. For example, when they built the soccer field seen in the image, something was wrong and they didn’t have the space for a corner, so they had to add a little piece of ground to complete it. Details like this can stimulate questions, and open more possibilities about the idea of “changes”.

4) Would you mind explaining to us the techniques used to capture your beautiful image?

The image was shot with a medium format camera using a closed aperture. The film is fuji pro 400, with a beautiful sunset light. At 4000 mt of altitude the light and the sky is really special, one of the aspects I love most about Bolivia.

5) What is it you love about shooting with film?

I love the result, the grain and the colours that films can offer. But the best thing about shooting film is the approach; the beauty of shooting with film is that you are not able to see the photos until you develop them, meaning that you become more involved in what you have in front and not in your little digital screen. I love the moment when I’m at home and I receive the contact sheets. Seeing them is like undergoing another journey in itself in that you are surprised by the good pictures, disappointed by the bad ones. It’s always an exciting discovery.

6) Please tell us about any upcoming projects that you may have that include shooting film.

I started to work in Ecuador last year from November 2011 until January 2012, and thanks also to the prize, I plan to go back there this summer. This is also another country experiencing a new socialist movement. I like to think of this project as a continuation of the work I shot in Bolivia. After Ecuador I’ll be in Venezuela and where I plan to build a unique body of work by exploring my personal vision of the country through the lens.