The Bristol Photo Festival has returned for its second edition in 2024, offering a thought-provoking celebration of contemporary photography. This year’s theme, The World is a Wave, takes us into the heart of a world in flux, focusing on the shifting social, political, and environmental landscapes we all navigate. Running from 16th October 2024, the festival spans more than 16 locations across the city, transforming both traditional art venues and unique spaces into showcases of global photographic talent. Each exhibition will be open from Thursday to Sunday, 12-5pm, with specific schedules varying by venue.
Dreamlines: Picturing Bristol’s High Streets at M Shed. Bristol Photo Festival 2024. Photo taken by Lougher Contemporary
‘The World is a Wave’
Building on the success of its 2021 debut, Bristol Photo Festival continues its international scope while being firmly rooted in the city's local culture. This year's theme reflects the festival’s dynamic approach to storytelling, focusing on a world in constant motion. The exhibitions and events explore how individuals and communities experience, confront, and adapt to social change, environmental shifts, and political upheavals. The metaphor of a ‘wave’ captures the fluidity of the times we live in, and the artists selected for this edition draw on this concept to present images that resonate with personal, collective, and global stories. Audiences will experience a broad spectrum of work, from deeply personal narratives to larger societal explorations.
Venues Across the City
This year, the festival will take place in some of Bristol's most iconic and independent spaces, including Arnolfini, M Shed, and the Bristol Museum & Art Gallery, as well as lesser-known locations such as the Albion Dockside. The festival will engage audiences throughout the city, encouraging exploration of both its art scene and its diverse neighbourhoods. Be sure to check the specific opening hours for each venue to avoid disappointment, as not all exhibitions run on the same schedule.
