Photo credits: Philippe Fitte
The official results of Monaco’s recent underwater photography competitions have confirmed France as the overall winner of the 2nd International Challenge, held from September 4 to 7, 2025. Organized by the Monaco Underwater Exploration Club (CESMM) under the aegis of the Monegasque Federation of Underwater Activities (FMAS), the event brought together teams from eleven countries for a series of technical and artistic underwater challenges.
France secured first place based on a four-photo series evaluated by an international jury, with Monaco placing second and Italy third. Special prizes were awarded in specific categories: the Fish Prize went to Bassem Jammour and Anne Rodelato of Monaco; the Atmosphere Prize to Guglielmo Cicerchia and Iwona Moisa of Italy; and the Macro Prize to Sebastien Ameeuw and Delphine Fraysse of France. Monaco also received the prize for the imposed theme, “Artistic creation around the bubble.”
In the 20th National Contest, French teams competed in both interchangeable and non-interchangeable lens categories. Philippe Lecomte and Christine Cazal won the latter, while David Roger and Eric Dalmas led the former. Additional awards went to Florence Roux and Béatrice Landreau for fish photography; Véronique Wurmli-Baudot and Wendy Peyret for atmosphere; Frédéric Bernard and Justine Brun d’Espagne for the set theme; and again to Wurmli-Baudot and Peyret for the Jury’s Choice Award.
In the youth division, part of the “Underwater Eyes” contest, Charlene Barois won the Jellyfish category and also received the Jury’s Choice Award. Shannon Tissot won the Seahorse category. Each youth participant submitted a series of three images, judged on both technical execution and environmental storytelling.
The competitions were held under the honorary presidency of H.S.H. Prince Albert II.