The international documentary photography festival Vilnius Photography Circle opens this Saturday at the Energy and Technology Museum in the Lithuanian capital, the organisers said in a press release.
The festival and exhibition will open at 11:00, followed by a presentation from Georgian photographer Dina Oganova on working during times of political persecution. Later, the finalists will present their work, followed by the keynote address from VII Foundation representative Philip Blenkinsop and the awards ceremony. This year’s prizes are sponsored by partners Alexia Foundation, EPSON and Fujifilm Lithuania.
On Sunday, there will be free portfolio reviews as well as open creative workshops led by Blenkinsop.
On Monday, a series of discussions will tackle the topics of identity, war, and the future of documentary photography and photojournalism.
The full programme is listed below:
Saturday – Main Festival Day (in English and Lithuanian)
11:00–11:30 – “Does Lithuania Have a Visual Voice?” Festival opening and organisers’ remarks
11:30–12:30 – “Photo-documentary in Times of Political Repression” – Dina Oganova, documentary photographer and VFR jury member
13:30–16:15 – Presentations by finalists and special guests
16:45–17:45 – Keynote: Philip Blenkinsop, The VII Foundation
17:45–18:30 – Awards ceremony
18:30 – Rooftop terrace party at the museum
Sunday – Exhibition Day (in English and Lithuanian)
13:00–15:00 – Portfolio reviews (registration)
16:00–18:00 – Photo-essay workshop with Philip Blenkinsop (registration)
Guided tours of the exhibition with finalists and prize-winning authors (details to be confirmed)
Monday – Industry Day (Lithuanian only)
11:00–12:00 – The Era of Media Transformation: How to Ensure the Survival of Documentary and Factual Photography?
• Matas Drukteinis, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Culture and UNESCO
• Jonas Staselis, President of the Lithuanian Artists’ Association, photographer
• Aleksandra Chackevičiūtė, Head of the Funding Instruments Planning Division, Lithuanian Council for Culture (LKT)
Moderator: Benas Gerdžiūnas, LRT journalist
14:15–15:15 – How Do We Want the World to See Us? How Do We See the World?
• Artūras Morozovas, photographer
• Mindaugas Gabrėnas, diplomat and photographer
• Vilius Mačkinis, lecturer and Deputy Director for Research, Institute of International Relations and Political Science, Vilnius University (VU TSPMI)
Moderator: BBenas Gerdžiūnas, LRT journalist
15:30–16:30 – Growing Audiences and Creators: The Future of Documentary Photography
• Vita Ličytė, LRT Radio documentary producer
• Tadas Kazakevičius, photographer
• Indrė Kiršaitė, Director, Editor and Journalist, NARA
Moderator: Benas Gerdžiūnas, LRT journalist
17:00–18:00 – War Photography in the “TikTok” Era
• Denis Vėjas, photographer and journalist
• Paulius Peleckis, BNS photojournalist
Moderator: Gediminas Kajėnas, 15min journalist
The event is free of charge but requires advance registration. More information is available on the official website and the festival’s Facebook page.
The exhibition of works by laureates and finalists will run until late October.
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