THE JURY
An international panel of acclaimed photographers, freedivers, and visual artists dedicated to evaluating every story captured beneath the surface.
DAAN VERHOEVEN
Underwater freediver photographer and cameraman
Daan Verhoeven (1974) has been freediving since 2004 and has chronicled the sport in images and film since 2012. His work has been published as widely as the NY Times and the Guardian to Das Bild and National Geographic, in books and articles, and he has filmed for TV, commercials and feature length documentaries, such as “The Deepest Breath” on Netflix. He lives in Cornwall with his wife Georgina Miller, where they run their school and club Aquacity Freediving. He has two dogs and in his spare time translates his father’s philosophical work.
LAURA MOMMICCHI
Photographer, visual artist, freediving photographer
Based in Nice, France, Laura Mommicchi is a photographer and visual artist. Her practice explores the relationships between body, movement, water and perception. Her photographic work spans documentary observation, staged imagery and fine art, balancing precision with a sense of the unexpected.
The demanding conditions of freediving have shaped her intuitive approach to composition, timing and the body’s physical presence. Alongside photography, she develops her visual language through drawing, contemporary art and interdisciplinary practices, with the 2026 summer programme at Villa Arson, Nice among her recent experiences.
Laura has worked as an official photographer for international freediving competitions, such as AIDA World Championships and CMAS World Cup events. Her work has been published by The Red Bulletin, Molchanovs Freediving and El Comercio, among others, and has received two nominations in Fine Art Photography at the Exposure One Awards 2025.
Alongside her photographic work, Laura develops cultural and artistic projects, including exhibitions, publication collaborations and conservation work. More of her work can be found at lauramommicchi.fr and belowthewave.fr.
As a Jury member for the European Freediving Photography Award®, she brings both the eye of an artist and the perspective of someone who has photographed the sport from within international competition.
Her practice is guided by a simple question:
“How can an image make us experience something, rather than simply show it?”
SIMONA AUTERI
World record freediving athlete, author, speaker
A member of the Italian National Team, Simona Auteri is a prominent figure in international freediving. Over the course of her career, she has set 4 CMAS World Records and won 5 Italian National Titles, competing at the highest levels of the discipline and securing a 4th-place finish at the World Championships, alongside numerous World Cup victories, reaching a maximum depth of -92 meters.
Beyond her competitive achievements, Simona is the founder of Freediving Zone, a platform bringing together her projects dedicated to spreading freediving culture, mental performance, and the deep connection between body, mind, and environment. These include her upcoming book Between Two Breaths (releasing in September 2026); her keynote talks and international workshop “5 Minutes to Flow”, presented at conferences across Canada, the UK, and Switzerland; the documentary Blue Silence, entering the film festival circuit in September 2026; and Apnée Au Féminin, an innovative coaching program designed exclusively for women to foster growth, awareness, and performance through freediving.
She also authors the monthly column “Fin & Tonic” for PescaSub & Apnea magazine, exploring the world of freediving and the profound relationship between the athlete, the ocean, and mindfulness.
As a Jury member for the European Freediving Photography Award®, Simona brings a unique perspective: that of someone who knows the deep from within, having lived and faced it firsthand in international competition. Her expertise allows her to look beyond the image and capture the deeper dimension of freediving, the dialogue between body, mind, and environment.
Andrea Paluzzi supervisor
"Promoting the culture of freediving is essential. It is through these images that we can share the profound connection between humans and the sea, highlighting a world of silence that deserves our utmost respect and protection."
As the founder and president of the ASD organizing the event, Andrea Paluzzi serves as the official Supervisor of the European Freediving Photography Award®. His deep connection to the freediving community and passion for underwater exploration inspired the creation of this international platform. In his role as Supervisor, Andrea ensures the integrity, transparency, and smooth operation of the entire process, coordinating with the international Jury panel to uphold the values and artistic vision of the competition. To guarantee absolute impartiality, the President does not participate in the voting or judging process.
