Jimei x Arles International Photo Festival

Jimei x Arles Photo Festival is an ode to Chinese photography and contemporary Asian image-makers.

Chosen for: Innovation.

Founded in 2015 by the director of Les Rencontres d’Arles, Sam Stourdze, and founder of Three Shadows Photography Art Centre, RongRong, Jimei x Arles International Photo Festival has served up an exciting programme dedicated to introducing audiences to major international photographers, as well as promoting emerging Chinese photographers. In keeping with its founding intention of cross-cultural exchange, the festival spotlights the photo scene of one Asian country each year; the last edition platformed Thailand through a series of exhibitions.

The Discovery Award adds another interesting element to the concept: for each edition, Jimei x Arles invites five curators to nominate 10 Chinese photographers as finalists, selecting the winner during the opening week who will go on to exhibit their work at Les Rencontres d’Arles in France the following year.

In November 2023, the ninth chapter of Jimei x Arles International Photo Festival will take place in Xiamen, a coastal city in Fujian Province, and will run through to the beginning of January. The festival features around 30 exhibitions, presenting works by over 100 artists from all over the world, as well as a thoughtful programme of activities such as panel talks, guided tours, screenings and workshops. If you’re travelling to China towards the end of this year, make sure you find time for this.

Jimei x Arles International Photo Festival runs from November 2023 to January 2024 at Xiamen. Dates are yet to be announced.