Angkor Photo Festival - 8th Edition

I'm now back in NZ and taking stock of my six weeks north of the equator. One of the highlights of this trip was my visit to the 8th edition of the Angkor Photo Festival in Siem Reap, Cambodia. This followed weeks of photo indulgence in Paris, London and Cologne where market forces are in play, mostly heading in the direction of the commodification of the medium on a downwards slippery slope. 
So it was all the more refreshing to be part of this festival where integrity, authenticity and a strong social agenda prevailed. Again this year friend and colleague Antoine d'Agata conducted a workshop for mostly young Asian photographers. A lot was demanded of the participants and they delivered plenty in return with work that in form and content went beyond their initial submissions.
It was also a pleasure to be included in the slideshow curated by Eddie Marsman and Marco Wiegers alongside Rob Hornstra, Terri Weifenbach and Nina Poppe. 

Created in 2005, the Angkor Photo Festival is the first of its kind in Southeast Asia. Held every year in the bustling town of Siem Reap, Cambodia, the week-long festival features exhibitions, slideshows, and other activities. All events are free-of-charge and open to the public, and no prior registration is required to attend. This years festival, which ran from December 1st to 8th featured the work of more than 130 photographers.
The strong educational goals of the Angkor Photo Festival sets it apart from other photography events. The free Angkor Photo Workshops for emerging Asian photographers are conducted by renowned photographers for specially selected participants, and the festival operates its own outreach programme – the Anjali Children’s Photo Workshops for children of Anjali House.
The Angkor Photo Festival seeks to showcase and highlight top photography on an international stage, with a unique focus on discovering new talent, especially from Asia. It also acts as an accessible, inclusive platform for photography professionals to meet and interact.

You can go to the festivals website for more information HERE.

The workshops at work.

Antoine d'Agata's group.