The Best Photography Festivals Opening This April

Fotografia Europea / Reggio Emilia, Italy / 29 April - 12 June

In the depths of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer is a phrase by Albert Camus that inspierd the artistic direction of Fotografia Europea – Tim Clark and Walter Guadagnini – who maintain the poetic vocation of last year for the new edition of the festival taking place in Reggio Emilia, Italy, between the 29 of April and the 12 of June. The new edition will be discussing the human ability to push back against adversities and to not submit to momentary complications. The festival takes place in different locations of the city, and it consists of a central core of exhibitions among which Mary Ellen Mark's The Lives Of Women, Hoda Afshar's Speak The Wind, and Jonas Bendiksen The Book Of Veles, and many other authors at Chiostri Di San Pietro; Gloria Oyarzabal's Usus Fructus Abusus and Simona Ghizzoni's Isola at Galleria Santa Maria; Luigi Ghirri's Montagne Che Non Si Possono Scalare Italia In Miniatura E Nuove Prospettive at Palazzo dei Musei; a focus on young Italian photography at Chiostri di San Domenico. The exhibitions are accompanied by a rich program of events, conferences, screenings, workshops, and portfolio reviews with PhMuseum's Director Giuseppe Oliverio among the reviewers.

PHOTO / Melbourne and Regional Victoria, Australia / 29 April - 22 May 

Located in Melbourne and extending to cities across regional Victoria, PHOTO is Australia’s largest photography event. This year they will be presenting 123 local and international artists and photographers through 90 exhibitions and 24 commissioned projects. PHOTO 2022’s theme is Being Human and addresses the contemporary human condition through the lens of Mortality, Self, Society, Nature, and History. Audiences will be able to explore photography by some of the most acclaimed artists from around the world, with exclusive Australian exhibitions by Gillian Wearing (UK), Paul Mpagi Sepuya (US), Mohamed Bourouissa (Algeria/France), Poulomi Basu (India), Vasantha Yogananthan (France), Aziz Hazara (Afghanistan), Martine Gutierrez (US), Massimo Vitali (Italy), Florian Hetz (Germany), Philip Montgomery (Mexico/US) and Luo Yang (China), amongst others. Alongside the extensive contemporary program, two icons of photography will be honored at PHOTO 2022. On the one hand, presented by the Jewish Museum of Australia Gandel Centre of Judaica in partnership with the Helmut Newton Foundation is HELMUT NEWTON: In Focus which will reveal the extraordinary life of one of the most prominent and provocative fashion photographers of all time. On the other hand, an influential American artist, Cindy Sherman, will be celebrated with the festival’s largest individual artwork to date installed on the facade of a building at Fed Square. PHOTO 2022 is focused on five Festival Precincts for people to explore: Town Hall Precinct, Parliament Precinct, River Precinct, State Library Precinct, and Fitzroy/Collingwood, as well as venues throughout metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria.

Circulation(s) European Young Photography Festival / Paris, France / 2 April - 29 May 

The 12th Edition of Circulation(s) presents the works of 30 young artists from all over Europe, with a particular focus on the Armenian artistic scene. The Festival takes place at the CENTQUATRE-PARIS, a cultural place in eastern Paris, and continues in the form of tours and off-site events in France and Europe. Since 2019 Circulation(s) honors one particular European photographic emerging scene, this year´s choice is Armenia. The festival does so by presenting series by four of the artists from this territory; Areg Balayan, Vaghinak Ghazaryan, Karén Khachaturov and Sona Mnatsakanyan. Founded on the values of education and transmission around the image, Circulation(s) reiterates its ever-growing aspiration to be an approachable event of high standards and to adapt to all with Little Circulation(s), the exhibition dedicated to kids. Following their inclusive approach, they organize exhibits in public spaces such as La RATP (Paris´ public transport). The Circulation(s) festival is engaged in a major mediation project particularly aimed at young audiences, the ambition of which is to promote education in the image. In collaboration with the Centquatre-Paris mediation team, the festival, which is very popular with school groups, welcomes group visits from kindergarten to university throughout the period of operation. 

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ALSO OPEN THIS MONTH:

 L'Oeil Urban Festival Photographique / Corbeil-Essonnes, France / 1 April - 22 May

For its 10th anniversary, the Oeil Urbain explores the forms of commitment - with individuals, the environment, quite simply the world in which we live. The photographers in this edition tell personal, singular stories that echo contemporary upheavals and highlight a common narrative of humanity.

Toronto Biennial of Art / Toronto, Canada / 25 March - 5 June

The Toronto Biennial of Art’s mission is to make contemporary art accessible to everyone. For 10 weeks every two years, local, national, and international Biennial artists transform Toronto and its partner regions with free exhibitions, performances, and learning opportunities. Grounded in diverse local contexts, the Biennial’s city-wide programming inspires individuals, engages communities, and contributes to global conversations.

Italian Street Photo Festival / Rome, Italy / 29 April - 1 May

Italian Street Photo Festival is the first international street photography festival in Italy. Professionals, enthusiasts, and amateurs will be able to live contemporary street photography by participating in talks, workshops, exhibitions, contests, and much more.

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Check out our festivals page to get a complete view of what's coming up on the photography calendar over the next few months.