April Festivals Guide

Our monthly festival round-up offers an overview of what photography events will be in the spotlight during the coming month. For April, we feature San Jose Foto, Month of Photography Los Angeles, Palm Springs Photo Festival, Kyotographie, Nordic Light International Festival of Photography, and Head On Photo Festival.

San José Foto (San Jose, Uruguay) April 7 - 10

Renowned Spanish photographer Cristina de Middel is at the helm of this year’s edition of San Jose Foto, Uruguay. The festival is dedicated to bringing the photographic medium “closer to the ordinary citizen”, and the organizers do this by presenting work in unconventional formats across such spaces as building facades, hotels, and theatres. The main exhibitions are supported by a series of free activities, and visitors in 2016 can enjoy conferences with National Geographic Traveler, Open Society Foundations, and Christian Rodriguez.

Month of Photography Los Angeles (Los Angeles, US) The month of April

Image from the series Living on a Dollar a Day by © Renee C. Byer

Moving into its 8th year on the photography calendar, the 2016 Month of Photography Los Angeles once again promises a dynamic program of events in the hope of inspiring both enthusiasts and professionals alike. The primary exhibitions in this year's edition include Sebastião Salgado: A Retrospective at the Peter Fetterman Gallery; Robert Mapplethorpe: The Perfect Medium hosted by LACMA and the J. Paul Getty Museum; Living on a Dollar a Day by Renée C. Byer on display at WIZNU Studios; and the MOPLA Group Show, Diverse/City, presented in the Santa Monica Art Studios and Arena 1 Gallery.

Kyotographie (Kyoto, Japan) April 23 - May 22

Held annually during the height of spring in the ancient city of Kyoto, Japan, this photography festival is produced with a distinctly Asian flavor. Exhibitions are presented in a combination of historic and modern architectural spaces – outside the traditional white cube gallery format – and feature the work of many leading photographers. The mission of Kyotographie is to inspire a greater understanding of the medium and to educate audiences through a varied public program. This year, such artists as Kikujiro Fukushima, Chris Jordan, Arno Raphael Minkkinen, and Sarah Moon will showcase their work.

Nordic Light International Festival of Photography (Kristiansund, Norway) April 27 - May 1

Image from the series The Flight to Europe by © Espen Rasmussen

The Nordic Light International Festival of Photography, held every year in Kristiansund, Norway, has a mission simply to “bring photography to the people, to define what good photography is and to give photography strength as a means of communication.” The festival invites photographers working with different styles and techniques, creating a rich and varied platform on which audiences can enhance their knowledge and understanding of photography as an art form in the 21st century. Anders Petersen, Espen Rasmussen, and Giacomo Brunelli will feature this year.

Head On Photo Festival (Sydney, Australia) April 29 - May 22

Under the directorship of Moshe Rosenzveig, Head On Photo Festival has developed into one of the most important photography festivals in the world. Proudly all-inclusive, the festival runs an open-call to determine the exhibitors and openly focusses on raising awareness of the important issues facing society today. The 2016 edition comes with a complementary pedagogical program, with standout events including an intense two-day masterclass with VII Photo founder Ron Haviv, and a street photography workshop presented by Ben Lowy, Nick Hannes, Natan Dvir, Marvi Lacar.

Palm Springs Photo Festival (Los Angeles, US) April 24 - 29

Aiming to connect amateurs and emerging photographers with renowned names in the industry, Palm Springs Photo Festival has more the feel of a symposium. With the largest portfolio review in the United States, cutting-edge seminars, evening presentations by eminent image-makers, and a host of other networking events, PSPF is a leader in establishing and fostering professional working relationships. Notable workshops this year include: Simon Norfolk: Landscape at the City’s Edge; Tim Griffith: Architecture Photography: Building Relationships; David Burnett: Sharpening Your Vision; and Neal Slavin: Advanced Individual & Group Portraiture.