Ciril Jazbec
Ciril Jazbec is a Slovenian photographer and film director whose work explores the human dimensions of the climate crisis. A National Geographic Explorer since 2013, he has spent over a decade documenting Arctic communities as they navigate environmental and cultural change.
His immersive and long-term approach combines photography, film, and multimedia installation to tell deeply personal stories. Ciril’s latest project, SILA, created in collaboration with Inuit youth in Greenland, explores themes of identity, tradition, and resilience in the face of rapid transformation.
Ciril’s practice is defined by commitment to long-form storytelling that connects climate change to lived human experience. His project SILA blends a photographic series with a 24-minute documentary film, capturing the voices and perspectives of Inuit youth in Uummannaq, Greenland. This immersive work highlights generational resilience while reflecting the cultural shifts of a community in transition.
Beyond the Arctic, Ciril has directed Dream to Cure Water, a film shot across the Himalayas, Alps, and Andes. The documentary has received international recognition, including major awards at Jackson Wild (Climate Stories), Santiago Wild (Best Short Film), INFF (Best Short Film and Best Water Film), and the London Mountain Film Festival. It was officially selected for Mountainfilm Telluride and the Cleveland International Film Festival, and premiered at AmDocs in 2024.
His ability to work across mediums has earned him international acclaim. In 2025, his photography was recognised by both the Taylor Wessing Portrait Prize and the Wellcome Photography Prize. His stories, rooted in human experience, illustrate how communities respond to global challenges, combining visual craft with scientific and cultural relevance. Through photography, film, and installations, Ciril creates work that resonates with audiences worldwide.
Ciril’s career reflects a sustained engagement with communities at the forefront of ecological and cultural disruption. His long-term focus on the Arctic has yielded a body of work that is both documentary in nature and artistic in scope, examining how Inuit communities adapt to climate change while preserving their cultural heritage. This human-centred perspective has made his work widely accessible while maintaining journalistic depth and accuracy.
His achievements include the World Press Photo Award (2021), the Leica Oskar Barnack Newcomer Award (2013), Magnum 30 Under 30 (2015), and the POYI World Understanding Award (2018). Alongside his awards for film and photography, he continues to expand into multimedia installations that engage audiences on both intellectual and emotional levels.
Ciril holds an MA in Photojournalism and Documentary Photography from the London College of Communication. His work has been exhibited internationally at Les Rencontres d’Arles, Visa pour l’Image, PhEST, and The Lumen Museum, where it has been presented in formats ranging from traditional print to immersive installation.
As a National Geographic contributor and Explorer, his stories have been published globally, reinforcing his role as one of the most compelling visual storytellers addressing the intersection of climate change, community, and culture.
In addition to his photographic and film work, Ciril actively participates in educational and cultural initiatives that promote awareness of climate change. He often collaborates with scientists, educators, and conservationists, creating platforms where visual storytelling supports broader dialogues on sustainability. His projects aim not only to inform but also to inspire audiences to engage with pressing environmental issues. By combining artistic vision with documentary rigour, Ciril positions himself at the forefront of a new generation of storytellers whose work bridges art, science, and activism.