ARTIST TALK HENRI BLOMMERS FOLLOWED BY PANEL TALK ‘ON THE ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINT OF (EXPERIMENTAL) PHOTOGRAPHY’ – 11:45 – 12:45
Henri Blommers (NL), panel: Stefan Dinu (RO), Razvan Neagoe (RO). Moderator Ioana Cobzaru, NL (curator and visual artist).

Henri Blommers is a Dutch fine art photographer working both digitally and analog, with multiple cameras, incorporating stitching, collage and other techniques in his practice. At Bucharest Photofest Henri is showing a selection of 20 images from his experimental photography. Over the past decade, environmental issues have been the central focus of his artistic practice. This collection of images is drawn from a series of projects in which he explores and visualizes the effects of climate change, industrial farming, and his own role as both a consumer and gardener in relation to nature.

One of the pressing issues he highlights is salinization, a process that reduces soil fertility. Already, 20 percent of the world’s agricultural land is affected, forcing farmers to cultivate alternative crops. This problem stems from monoculture practices, climate change, and the persistent presence of fertilizers and pesticides that accumulate in the soil.

Blommers also draws attention to possible solutions for regenerating nature: establishing field margins around farms, creating interconnected landscapes, reducing pesticide use, adopting composting practices, transitioning towards plant-based diets, improving environmental education in schools and modifying crops to withstand the challenges brought about by climate change.

PANEL TALK ‘ON STORYTELLING’ – 12:45 – 13:30
Speaker: Camila Cavalcante (Brazil/UK) – researcher, educator and award-winning visual artist. Panel: Marja Kjartans, visual artist. Moderator Ioana Cobzaru, NL (curator and visual artist).

The panel talk ‘On storytelling’ is highlighting the power of visual tools such as the photography and film in revealing stories, contributing substantially to an open discussion about topics that are delicate or rather difficult to approach. Storytelling engages the audience in a journey, packing the message into visual stories that raise awareness, inspire and make it easier to discuss the very essence that oftentimes seems to hard to point out to in a more traditional way.

We invited the amazing visual artist Camila Cavalcante to share with us about her passion for photography, feminism and activism. She worked on a long-time project in her home country (Brazil) and also published a book, entitled ‘For the lives of all women/Pela vida das mulheres’. With the storytelling around the women who underwent abortion, which is still illegal in Brazil, Camila succeeds in making the topic open to discussion. Her project is taking about the stories of these women, who even put themselves in danger by talking to Camila about what they went through. The artist is also photographing herself with each of the protagonists, in a meaningful pose that is not only showing resilience, but also determination.

PANEL TALK ‘ON FESTIVALS’ – 14:00 – 15:00
Speakers: Dr. Ileana Selejan, UK (co-curator BredaPhoto festival 2024) and Dr. Pablo Giori, Spain (founder and co-director of Experimental Photo Festival Barcelona), moderator Ioana Cobzaru, NL (curator and visual artist)

The panel talk ‘On festivals’ aims to shed light on the rather complex structure and educational purpose of photography festivals, alongside the multiple exposure opportunities that a festival creates for emerging talent and established photographers. Festivals are in many ways different from the more traditional ways of exhibiting the work of visual artists in museums and galleries, excelling in encouraging the dialogue between artists and the audience. In this panel talk we will hear more about the opinion of two experts who have experience with working in a festival environment and their ideas about the educational role of photography festivals.

ON CONVERSATION > CÉSAR DEZFULI – 15:15 – 16:00
César Dezfuli – ES/IR | Lecture

We are pleased to invite you to an open conversation with César Dezvuli, a Spanish-Iranian journalist and documentary photographer whose work delves into some of today’s most pressing issues: migration, identity, and human rights. Born in Madrid and self-taught in photography, César has built a career through his journalistic work, documenting a wide range of realities across the globe. From covering elections in Kenya, Rwanda, and Kosovo to exploring the effects of China’s one-child policy, his work tells powerful stories of global significance.

Since 2015, César has focused his lens on the European migrant crisis, with a particular interest in the Central Mediterranean migration route. His most recognized project, Passengers, launched in 2016, challenges the way migration is visually represented and offers a deeper understanding of the individuals behind the headlines.

In this open discussion, César will share the experiences behind his impactful projects, the challenges of documenting human rights issues, and his approach to storytelling. Come be part of this candid conversation and gain insight into the power of visual journalism in today’s world.

ON CONVERSATION > JOOST VAN DER VALK – 16:00 – 16:45
D. Joost Van Der Valk- NL | Lecture

We are thrilled to invite you to an inspiring open conversation with Joost van der Valk, one of the most acclaimed documentary filmmakers in the industry today. As the only Dutch filmmaker to have won both an EMMY and a British Academy Award (BAFTA), Joost has established himself as a powerful voice in documentary filmmaking, bringing to light stories that matter.

With a diverse portfolio that spans international collaborations with renowned channels such as BBC, Al Jazeera, National Geographic, and HBO, his work has captivated audiences worldwide. His groundbreaking documentary Teledoc Satudarah – One Blood remains one of the most-watched documentaries in Dutch television history, showcasing his ability to engage viewers with compelling narratives.

Joost’s recent directorial projects include gripping series such as Narcowars for Disney+, Make or Break for Apple TV+, and critically acclaimed titles like Drug Lords, Dope, and Drive to Survive for Netflix. His fearless exploration of complex topics, including gangs and criminal networks, has taken him to conflict zones around the globe, including Somalia, Iraq, and the Brazilian favelas.

In this open talk, Joost will share his experiences and insights from his remarkable career, discussing the challenges of filming in conflict zones, the importance of storytelling in documentary filmmaking, and his creative process. This is an incredible opportunity to engage with one of the best in the field and gain a deeper understanding of the power of documentary film.