“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.