Welcome to Festival Zone for August 2025.
Kōwhai trees expand creative connections across the Pacific
Kōwhai is a tree that grows in both New Zealand and in Japan, (Sophora japonica – ‘Japanese Kōwhai' same family/group), a symbolic cultural connection crossing over the oceans between two hemispheres to grow creativity.
Following on from the successful 2023 and 2024 Kōwhai Residencies in Yōga, Tokyo we are delighted to announce this year's research placement has been Awarded to Grant Priest, based in Auckland.
passthru, 2025 (installation view). Commissioned by Te Tuhi, Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.
The Festival Trust are delighted Grant has accepted to be the 5th NZ photographer to undertake the Kōwhai Residency in Tokyo, Japan starting this month. Whilst in residence he will be exploring and researching, he explains his practice base "I'm excited to be selected for the 2025 Kōwhai Research Residency and grateful for the opportunity to spend time in Japan developing new research. I'll be researching structures of transactional exchange — toll booths, service windows, ticket counters, etc. — as spatial forms where access, visibility, and physical contact are mediated or withheld."
Grant stated in his pitch to gain selection "My work responds to systems of institutional categorisation, boundaries, and individualism, engaging with colonial, industrial, and legal infrastructures as material manifestations of these forces ."
He has exhibited in New Zealand solo and group exhibitions. In 2024, Priest completed a Doctorate in Fine Art at Elam School of Fine Arts, University of Auckland.
rota, 2024 (installation view) – George Fraser Gallery
The annual Kōwhai Residency is support for an artist to undertake new research in Japan and for the development of their photography practice. We aim for the residency to offer transformational outcomes for emerging / mid-career lens-based artists from Aotearoa who are well placed to capitalise on this unique and significant opportunity to gain international success in multiple specific outcomes and new pathways.
Kōwhai Residency is a NZ founded unique photographic experience for a NZ photographer residency programme in Japan and a 1st to be established from New Zealand. The partnership is between Auckland Festival of Photography and T3 Photo Festival Tokyo, Japan.
Alex Mao Youth Photo Award 2025
In June 2025 the Alex Mao Youth Photo Award invited photographers/artists (under 25 years) to enter their best work. We are delighted to announce the winners of this our 7th annual Youth Photo Awards. Winner of 1st place is Isabella Noubata with 'Na Bati Lailai - The Young Warrior', 2nd prize winner is Thomas Hope with ‘Sad Little Seal’ and 3rd prize winner is Andrei Cruz with ‘SOS’. Full details of the Awards and product prizes here.
Judges were Petra Leary Award winning Commercial & Drone photography specialist - 2025 Festival exhibiting artist, Theo Macdonald, Visual Artist & writer - 2025 Festival exhibiting artist.
To date over $10000 has been Awarded to support Youth photographers in NZ through this Award.
Image below: Prize giving with our 3 winners and the Award supporters, Alex Mao Foundation team, Tatsiana Chypsanava, World Press Photo 2025 Long Term project winner, Harvey Norman and Print Art Co Ltd representatives. Credit Bin Yang/AFP.
Asia Pacific Photoforum
Higashikawa International Photo Festival, Japan
The 41st annual Festival takes place from 2 August to 1 September 2025.
The Higashikawa International Photo Festival is organized annually to vitalize the town of Higashikawa, transforming it into a “photo town” according to the concepts outlined in the “Photo Town Manifesto.” Devoted to photography and people who love photography, it provides a yearly focus for the activities of Higashikawa’s citizens and suggests new directions for the future.
This festival is based on three main relationships, the relationships between photography and nature, photography and people, and photography and culture.
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Ballarat International Foto Biennale 2025, Australia
Its the 11th Ballarat International Foto Biennale from 23rd August - 19 October. The 2025 Open Program features established and emerging artists, turning Ballarat’s cafes, bars, businesses and laneways into an immersive arts experience. The Open Program brings Ballarat to life with photography. Alongside this is the full program of exhibitions on show in the 11th Ballarat International Foto Biennale including a artist talk by Todd Hido, USA.
Plan your BIFB 2025 experience. Ticket sales here
