Resilience, the festival theme of the 9th edition

Dear friends, partners, and photography enthusiasts,

As we gather for this year’s edition of the Bucharest Photofest, we invite you to explore the profound theme of resilience. This festival is more than just a celebration of photography; it is a testament to the human spirit’s ability to overcome adversity and find beauty in the most challenging circumstances.

Resilience is more than mere survival; it’s the art of bouncing back, of finding beauty in adversity, and of telling stories that echo through time. Resilience is the ability to leap forward, even when setbacks threaten to pull us down.

In the realm of photography, resilience mirrors the ability to rebound from adversity. It’s like a canvas that absorbs life’s blows and then springs back, much like an elastic material. When we apply this concept to storytelling, resilience becomes the thread that weaves narratives of triumph over hardship.

Through the lens of a camera, it captures moments of strength, vulnerability, and hope. Whether documenting social issues or the beauty of nature, photography reveals the resilience inherent in our shared human experience. It’s a testament to our capacity to bounce back, adapt, and find beauty even in the most challenging circumstances.

Look to nature – the ultimate artist. Trees bend but don’t break in storms; rivers carve canyons through rock. The seasons change, yet life persists. In every dewdrop and rustling leaf, resilience whispers: “Adapt, endure, thrive”.

The year agenda sheds light on social issues, intertwining them with resilience. Human rights, discrimination, climate change – they all leave their marks. Yet, like a photograph developed in a darkroom, resilience emerges from the shadows.

Join us at the festival – a canvas where resilience paints its masterpiece, where every click of the camera captures a tale of survival, and where nature’s brush strokes remind us: life endures, and so do we.

This year’s festival features a special program with over 40 events, including exhibitions, film screenings, panel discussions, debates, live music, and more. We are honored to host numerous international artists in person here in Bucharest, alongside award-winning professionals, curators, artists from the world of international photography and musicians.

We look forward to sharing this journey with you and celebrating the incredible stories of resilience captured through the lens.