10TH EDITION

06 - 30 JUNE 24

‘Divergence’ delves into how contemporary photographers are interpreting rapid digitalisation, our climate emergency and the ethical questions surrounding Artificial Intelligence. ‘Divergence’ embraces the complexity of our polarised world, with the aim to shine a light on the importance of nuance, critical thought, and interpretation, while offering antidotes for survival. Our programme aims to initiate conversations and propose alternatives by presenting thought-provoking and visually ambitious work pushing on the boundaries of the medium.

EVENTS

EXHIBITIONS

PORTFOLIO REVIEW

Belfast Photo Festival is hosting two days of virtual, one on one portfolio reviews with 33 Irish, British and International photography experts. Friday 21st & Saturday 22nd June 24.

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EXHIBITION HIGHLIGHTS

Richard Mosse: Broken Spectre

Carlise Memorial Church | 6 - 23 June

Overcoming the challenge of representing climate change, this is Mosse’s most ambitious project to date and an Isle of Ireland premiere. Taking you deep into the Brazilian Amazon, the immersive 74 min piece is presented as a bespoke video installation including a 20m wide screen and 16-channel sound.

Mattais Oostrik: SMILE AI.

Riddel’s Warehouse | 6 - 30 June

SMILE A.I. actively immerses the audience into a dystopian future where reality is refracted through the lens of AI's statistical interpretations. A dystopian, future facing installation hanging deep within a remarkable, untouched 19th century warehouse.

Barbara Caillot and Aleksandra Karkowska: Our Streets are full of White Bears

Belfast City Hall Lawn | 10 - 30 June

In Poland, since the 1920s, men disguised as a white bear offered photos to passers-by. How did thousands of pictures become a symbol of Polish popular culture, an antidote and provocation, during such uncertain times.

Kourtney Roy: The Other End of the Rainbow

Botanic Gardens | 6 - 30 June

In this solo exhibition featuring the work of Canadian artist Kourtney Roy, we present an excerpt of her expansive project, ‘The Other End of the Rainbow’. Within it, Roy intricately captures a story entrenched in themes of violence, misogyny, and systemic racism.

Adam Rouhana: Before Freedom

Botanic Gardens | 6 - 30 June

‘Before Freedom’ (2022–ongoing) is an ongoing project led by how photographic representations shape our reality. Adam Rouhana’s work poignantly presents us with the quieter moments of Palestinian life, in an attempt to highlight the gap between representation and reality.

Amin Yousefi: Eyes Dazzle as they Search for The Truth

Botanic Gardens | 6 - 30 June

What is the relationship between the photographer and the one that is photographed? In an attempt to answer this question, Amin Yousefi turned to photobooks, documenting the Iranian Revolution of 1978-1979 in his home-country, Iran.

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

Panel Event: Broken Spectre - Richard Mosse

The MAC | 8 June

Broken Spectre is Richard Mosse’s most ambitious project to date focussing on the devastation in the Amazon rainforest and the climate change it triggers. In an attempt to render the scale and urgency of the Amazon’s extensive, impending collapse, Richard Mosse’s most impactful work to date employs a dazzling array of photographic techniques.

Portfolio Reviews

Online | 21 & 22 June

Belfast Photo Festival presents two days of online, one-to-one portfolio reviews with Irish, British and International experts.

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Artist Talk: Aleksandra Karkowska & Barbara Caillot

Studio 1G1 | 13 June

Join Polish artists Barbara Caillot and Aleksandra Karkowska for an introduction and insight into their fascinating project of the legendary White Bear of Zakopane, exploring how thousands of pictures of White Bears have become a symbol of Polish popular culture over the past 100 years.