FOTO Bali Festival Announces 34 Selected Artists from 10 Countries for Inaugural Edition
FOTO Bali Festival is an international photography festival in Bali, hosted by Nuanu Creative City. After nearly a month-long open call, the festival received 247 submissions from 29 countries. Representing 10 countries across Asia, Europe and the Pacific, these 34 artists will showcase their work during a 23-day festival from 26 July to 17 August 2025. Held under the theme LIFE, the Festival serves as a platform for both global and local visual storytellers. Here, the audiences are invited to engage more deeply with the stories we inherit and the futures we imagine. The curated works, including photography projects, photo books and multimedia convey layered narratives of LIFE that reveal the shifting, multidimensional relationships between people, origins, and cultures, and offer multidimensional perspectives.
“The festival is a reminder of the power photography holds when given the space to be seen and experienced as art, rather than being confined to documentation,” said Kelsang Dolma, Director of FOTO Bali Festival. “What stayed with me most was how each artist draws attention to the things we often pass by. Their work carries a quiet immediacy, shaped by memory, grief, ritual, and relationship, that stays with you. At Nuanu Creative City, we’re creating space for that kind of expression, art that doesn’t rush to explain itself but gives us room to reflect and feel.”
Atal Pamo, an aspiring visual artist and photographer from India, captures moments that inspire viewers to celebrate life; I Wayan Ade Saputra, a UI/UX designer and passionate photographer, tells stories of everyday life and the cultural complexities of Balinese life through visual storytelling; Kim Hak, a Cambodian photographer, reinterprets his country’s history, especially from the Khmer Rouge era, through his art; Tomasz Lazar, a Poland-based photographer and lecturer, explores themes of society and the human mind in his work.
“It’s been incredibly motivating for us,” said Ng Swan Ti and Gatari Surya Kusuma, Curators of FOTO Bali Festival. “Curating hundreds of strong body of works has been extremely challenging, yet we remain grateful. During our curatorial process, we found a number of photographers and artists capturing stories about family in diverse points of views, unveiling personal stories, losing, grieving as well as celebration. This is how we interpret LIFE—family becomes our core of support system—followed by nature, social, and cultural relationships within our life. We hope the selected works will spark reflection yet conversation that resonates a cross-connection between Indonesia’s rich ancestral heritage and the escalating global communities.
Over the course of this 23-day festival, visitors will experience a curated program of events. These include a panel discussion titled Island Perspective; a series of workshops designed to deepen storytelling through the lens without compromising the frame; and an RSVP-only sunset tour across Nuanu Creative City, offering photographers the chance to capture stunning sunset imagery. This festival is truly made for photographers—sharpening both the lens and the quality of the images captured.
Why Should I Apply?
FOTO Bali Festival invites lens-based practitioners to take part in a growing regional and international conversation around photography, a tool for art, memory, and social reflection. Set against the richly layered cultural landscape of Bali, the festival offers a curated platform for global exposure, curatorial dialogue, and community connection. Selected artists will not only exhibit their work alongside peers from Southeast Asia and beyond, but also contribute to shaping a new cultural space for lens-based practices rooted in this part of the world.
General Information
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The call for submissions is open to applicants of all nationalities. Participants must be 18 years of age or older at the time of submission.
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Applicants are welcome to submit one or multiple bodies of work or projects. Each submission should be accompanied by a clear project description (max 300 words).
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Submissions are free of charge.
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Selected works will be professionally exhibited at the Nuanu Creative City during the FOTO Bali Festival. Please bear in mind that no monetary prizes or fees will be awarded. However, production cost and installation will be covered.
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Only selected applicants will be contacted.
Submission Guidelines
Photography
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All digital images must be submitted in JPEG format.
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Images should be 2,000 pixels on the long side, at 100 dpi, and saved at quality level 8.
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Each project may contain a maximum of 20 images.
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Files must be named sequentially, using the photographer’s name and project title. (Example: Nuanu_ProjectTitle_01, Nuanu_ProjectTitle_02, etc.)
Text
All text materials (project descriptions, captions, bio, etc.) must be submitted in Word document format.
If applicable, an installation manual can be submitted alongside the artwork images to support the setup of installation works.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can I submit a single image?We only accept submissions of a cohesive series or body of work. Single-image entries will not be considered. Your project should thoughtfully engage with the festival’s theme.
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Can I submit works as part of a group, duo, or collective?Yes, you can. Submissions are open to individuals, duos, or collectives. However, please note that each submission—whether from an individual, a duo, or a collective—counts as one applicant and is limited to a maximum of 20 images total. This means that if you are submitting as a group, you must collectively choose up to 20 images to represent your application.
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Can I submit moving images or video work?Yes. We welcome lens-based projects that incorporate video or multimedia formats. Please ensure the work clearly stems from photographic thinking and follows the technical guidelines.
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Does a series have to be complete?Not necessarily. Works-in-progress are welcome, as long as your submission presents a clear concept and intent that aligns with the festival’s curatorial approach.
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Do the photos need to be recent?No. Projects can include works made in previous years or more recently, as long as they remain relevant to the festival’s theme.
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Is there a submission fee?No, submission is completely free of charge. We believe in making opportunities accessible to all artists.
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Can I submit works that use generative AI?Yes, you can. However, the curatorial team will carefully consider the conceptual background and context behind the AI usage in your work.
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How can i submit my works?Please upload your works via Google Drive links. You may include up to 20 photos, multimedia works, and a description of your works in a document format. Make sure the link is open access to everyone or change the sharing settings to "Anyone with the link." Fill the form with your link before 31 May 2025.
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Will selected artists be invited to Bali?Participation in the exhibition does not automatically include travel or accommodation. However, we are actively exploring ways to invite select artists through partnerships and external support. While we can’t guarantee travel for all, we are committed to offering visibility and engagement opportunities for every selected participant - onsite or online.
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