Ilir Tsouko (b. 1990) is a visual storyteller specializing in photography and film. Born in Albania and raised in Athens, Greece, he now divides his time between Berlin, Tirana, and Athens, working on long-term projects that explore identity, migration, social issues, and climate change. His work focuses on the human condition and the stories that shape our understanding of the world. Since 2024, Ilir has been a member of Agentur Focus in Hamburg, Germany and was nominated by Der Greif Organization for Contemporary Photography to become member of the FUTURES European Photography Platform.
lir's work has been featured in prominent publications, including:
The New York Times, The Washington Post, DIE ZEIT Magazin, The Guardian, Der Spiegel, NZZ, De Volkskrant, Süddeutsche Zeitung SZ, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung FAZ, Republik, Profil, Fluter, Vice, The Calvert Journal, Deutschlandfunk, Ö1, Kathimerini, Are We Europe (Studio). Travel Stories: Vogue, Lonely Planet, Bergwelten Magazine, Aramco World .
As a documentary filmmaker, director of photography, and producer, Ilir has collaborated with organizations and broadcasters such as:
Arte (Association relative à la télévision européenne - Association relating to European television), Deutsche Welle Documentaries, ARD - ZDF Germany's Public Broadcaster, NOS - Dutch Public Broadcasting, ORF - Austrian National Public Broadcaster, ERT - Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation, Polaroid, MAGNUM PHOTOS, Kunsthaus Bregenz, Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung and Onassis Stegi Cinema.
Ilir holds a degree in Visual Journalism & Documentary Photography from Hochschule Hannover – University of Applied Sciences and Arts, where he worked with Magnum photographers Enri Canaj and Chien-Chi Chang. He also holds an M.Sc. in Health Sciences from CNAM University in Paris/Athens. Fluent in German, Greek, English, and Albanian, Ilir brings a multilingual and multicultural perspective to his work, making him a compelling voice in visual storytelling today.
Exhibitions - Screenings
- " Agimi Art Center - Kinema Agimi, Tirana" 2023 - Film Screening - Arte Re „Albaniens letzte Pfleger: Gehen oder Bleiben"?
- "Space 52 Athens" 2023 - Photo Exhibition - Life in Limbo
- "Tulla Culture Center Tirana'' 2022 - Photo Exhibtion - Life in Limbo
- " Helsiniki Photo Festival 2021 '' - Photo Exhibition
- '' NZZ Bellevue - Zürich 2021 ''- Photo Exhibition - Panel Discussion
- '' 9. f/stop - Festival für Fotografie Leipzig 2021 '' - Photo Exhibition
- " Humble Arts Foundation and Strange Fire Collective's “Four Degrees: Eco- Anxiety and Climate Change” New York City U.S.A - Group Photo Exhibition
- '' Balkans Today. Thewounded landscape 2020 ” - Collective Exhibition - Athens
- '' Loosen Art - International group exhibition : Isolation " - Rome
- '' Beloposkiy Gallery'' - "On the road" - Berlin
- ''Plymouth University Portland Square'' - "Refugee Week 2016" - Plymouth
Grants
- Journalismfund Europe - European Cross-Border Grant 2023 - Winner Team
- IJ4EU- Investigative Journalism for Europe 2021 - Winner Team
- Helsiniki Photo Festival 2021- Winner
- New East photo prize 2020 - Finalist
- ELF - COPD Art Competition - European Lung Foundation - Finalist
- Research grant for the photography project ''A Diary in Shadows'' of the Michael Horbach Foundation - Winner