• To establish the practice and appreciation of fine art/contemporary photography in Malta.
• Network with local practitioners of art photography, discover and encourage new talent through portfolio reviews.
• Educate students at secondary level in Malta and Gozo by holding a number of workshops on how to read photographs with the intention of improving their literacy.
• Establish the festival on the international circuit.

PHOTOGRAPHY NOW

The digital revolution has impacted in ways that would have been unimaginable only a few years ago. Some time ago people asked the question ‘Is this art’, now the question, ‘Is this photography?’  echoes around the globe.  Its easy access and wide use has democratized the practice of photography, bringing professional picture-taking skills to the masses.  This has spurred practitioners to take photography to another level and produce work with an intellectual content, worthy of attention and investigation.

“Photography is no longer a ‘mortal enemy’ or ‘humble servant’ to art as Susan Bright, a former curator at the National Portrait Gallery, remarks. ‘It is currently enjoying significant re-valuation in terms of its profile, acceptance and status.  These developments mirror its exciting advances and shifts as a medium, and we can look forward to seeing more and more of it in contemporary art galleries and books, in whatever shape or form it may take.”

 

The festival is supported by: The Malta Arts Fund and the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts and is held under the auspices of the Valletta Local Council; the Parliamentary Secretariat for Tourism, the Environment and Culture; the Malta Tourism Authority and St James Cavalier Centre for Creativity.

Festival main corporate partners : Avantech Ltd representatives for Canon and M S V Life p.l.c.