Following a highly competitive global search, FOTO Bali Festival 2026, presented by Nuanu Creative City, has officially announced the 36 artists selected for its second edition. From nearly 700 submissions spanning over 80 countries, the final selection represents just 5% of applicants, highlighting the prestige and rigorous curatorial standards of this year’s festival.

Taking place from 3 June to 12 July 2026, the festival will transform Bali into a global hub for contemporary photography, featuring a diverse range of visual languages from 24 countries across Asia, Africa, Europe, the Americas, and Oceania.

Exploring the Theme: Afterimage

Under the central theme Afterimage, the 2026 edition delves into the persistence of memory and the way images continue to shape meaning long after the shutter clicks. The curated works move between intimate personal narratives and broader reflections on history, identity, and collective experience.

“In the context of Afterimage, photography does not conclude a moment—it continues to circulate and shape how we remember the world,” shared Putu Sridiniari, Festival Curator. “The selected works share a common attentiveness to how images carry traces and influence our understanding of the present.”

A Global Dialogue with Local Roots

The festival is designed to be an inclusive platform, bridging the gap between emerging talents and established masters without geographical or generational boundaries.

  • International Representation: Notable artists include Gianluca Lanciai (Italy), Gab Mejia (Philippines), Valeria Arendar (Argentina/Mexico), and Kibe Nduni (Kenya).

  • Indonesian Perspectives: Eight local artists, including Aziziah Diah Aprilya, Wimadetra, and Muhammad Dwiki Viansa, will bring essential Indonesian narratives into the global conversation.

Kelsang Dolma, Festival Director, emphasized the importance of the open call: “We want FOTO Bali Festival to open up a wider conversation between photographic practices from different contexts. Having two curators brings multiple perspectives into the selection process and allows for a more layered engagement.”

Strengthening Indonesia’s Creative Ecosystem

The festival’s growing significance is underscored by the support of Wonderful Indonesia. Ni Made Ayu Marthini, Deputy for Marketing at the Ministry of Tourism, noted that the initiative represents how art and community can create meaningful cultural conversations rooted in Bali.

Kurniadi Widodo, Festival Curator, added: “We aim to present practices that demonstrate both strong commitment and a diversity of visual languages within contemporary photography.”

Event Information

  • Dates: 3 June – 12 July 2026

  • Venue: Nuanu Creative City, Tabanan, Bali

  • Featured Artists: 36 artists from 24 countries

Media & Inquiries: For the full list of selected artists, high-resolution imagery, and festival programming updates, please visit the official FOTO Bali Festival website or follow Nuanu Creative City on social media.