Stage set for Indian Photo Festival@11 in Hyderabad

Hyderabad is set to come into focus as the 11th edition of the Indian Photo Festival (IPF) opens on November 20. Organised by the Light Craft Foundation, the month-long festival will run at the State Art Gallery and multiple venues across the city. It showcases work by photographers from Brazil, Iran, South Korea, India and beyond, and features solo and group exhibitions, artist talks, workshops and documentary film screenings that highlight urgent global stories, intimate human moments and experimental visual practices.

Photograph by Amit Machamsi; A football player poses for the camera amidst the bustling scene of farmers harvesting paddy in Sipadol, Bhaktapur.
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

When IPF began in 2015, the idea was to create a space where photographers could share stories that mattered. Now, founder-director Aquin Mathews says, “It feels special. Over the years the festival has grown far beyond what we imagined, but its heart has remained the same. We have always wanted IPF to be open and welcoming to everyone.”

Aquin says the goal is to make world-class photography accessible to all. “We want young and senior artists to meet, and for people who may not usually visit art spaces to experience high-quality photography, free of charge.”

Reflections @10

Photograph by Pasa Imrek
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

The 10-year milestone in 2024 gave the team a chance to reflect on what defines the Festival. “It has always been about honesty, empathy and curiosity. The exhibitions and talks this year stay true to that spirit, bringing together stories from conflict zones, personal histories, changing environments and more.” There is also a renewed focus on older methods such as analogue printing and early photographic processes. “It encourages artists to slow down and enjoy the beauty of making images with their hands.”

Photograph by Giles Clarke
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

IPF has evolved to be a community-driven platform. While the focus of earlier festivals was on exhibitions and talks, today, it thrives as a place of learning by offering free workshops, portfolio reviews and grants. The festival has also moved out of closed spaces to have displays in public places, making photography a part of everyday life.

The month-long festival is run by a small team of volunteers, many of them photographers who simply love the medium and want to support others. “Everyone does a bit of everything. It’s a team effort in the truest sense,” says Aquin.

By The CaravanX Palani Kumar
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

This annual celebration of visual storytelling takes around eight to 10 months of planning. The team prepares to work on the next edition almost as soon as one festival ends. From beginning with an open call for entries, the submissions from all over the world are selected while reaching out to artists, speakers, partners and their extended community. “The way people look at images is different today, so we try to balance traditional storytelling with new ideas. Our hope is that the festival feels warm, familiar and exciting every year, whether you are a photographer, a student or simply someone who enjoys good images.”