World Press Photo announced today that the winning productions of its 2015 Multimedia Contest include two MediaStorm projects: The Long Night has been awarded 1st prize in the Long Feature category while the "Net Cafe Refugees" chapter of Japan's Disposable Workers has been awarded 3rd prize in the same category. Created in collaboration with multimedia journalist Tim Matsui with the support of the Alexia Foundation and the organization’s Women Initiative grant, the The Long Night takes an unflinching look at the crisis of minors who are forced and coerced into the American sex trade. Set in Seattle, Washington, the film weaves together the stories of seven people whose lives have been forever changed by this issue. Internet cafes have existed in Japan for over a decade, but in the mid 2000s, customers began using these spaces as living quarters. Internet cafe refugees are mostly temporary employees, their salary too low to rent their own apartments.  Japan’s Disposable Workers is a film series…

In its 72nd year, Pictures of the Year International (POYi) is the oldest and most prestigious photojournalism program in the world. We are thrilled to announce that our first feature film, The Long Night, has been honored in the Documentary Project of the Year category. Created in collaboration with multimedia journalist Tim Matsui with the support of the Alexia Foundation, the film takes an unflinching look at the crisis of minors who are forced and coerced into the American sex trade. Congratulations to all of this year’s POYi winners. View the full winner's list at POYi.org.