The Sarajevo Photo Festival has been a focal point for photography enthusiasts in Eastern Europe and beyond since 2022. Run by Aida Redzepagić (the founder and Director) and Jelena Janković (Program Director), the Festival has established itself as an advocate for gender parity and an amplifier of women s voices and diverse stories. By exhibiting both emerging and well-established photographers, SPF provides a platform where visitors can engage in a rich program of exhibitions, workshops, lectures, discussions, and portfolio reviews.
The competition s finalists and award-winning works will be unveiled during the Festival, marking the central event of the opening. Ten artists from eight different categories will have their work exhibited. This year, the Festival will feature notable hosts such as Filip Kuludrović (Creative Editor of Vogue Adria), Petar Trbović (Fashion Editor of Vogue Adria), conceptual artist Selma Selman, photographers Tanya Habjouqa and Nanna Heitmann, and Lars Lindemann, curator, exhibition maker, and creative director.
The Festival will center around the concept of ‘Intersections,’ as highlighted by Jelena Janković: "[the Festival] is a meeting place of different visions, styles, and perspectives. Our goal is to strengthen ties within the community and create bridges between local and international authors and institutions.”
Among the various events, the Festival will include the exhibition "Occupied Pleasures" by Tanya Habjouqa, an exploration of human joy found and cultivated in the challenging circumstances of the Occupied West Bank, Jerusalem, and Gaza. "Occupied Pleasures" refers to both the illegal occupation of land and the simple activities people engage in to resist pain and fear. The exhibition analyzes the ambivalent state in which Palestinians live—a state of constant alarm and misery—and their search for happiness in everyday life, all underscored by a delicate sense of humor about their living conditions over the past 47 years. “Occupied Pleasures” won a World Press Photo award in 2014 and was heralded by TIME magazine and Smithsonian as one of the best photo books of 2015.
As Aida Redzepagić emphasised, “since its first edition, the Festival has provided a platform for marginalised topics and proudly speaks loudly about human rights and other possibly still controversial issues in Bosnia and Herzegovina, thereby giving voice to and opening discussions on these matters.” We talked with her about the Festival and its planning, and the significance of this cultural event in imagining a more just and equal world.
- Could you tell me more about the growth and evolution of the Sarajevo Photography Festival since its inception and its role in the region throughout the years?
Sarajevo Photography Festival emerged from the desire to provide a platform for promoting photography, but also as a means for social change and engagement. The idea stemmed from recognizing the rich talent and creativity in the field of photography in Sarajevo and the broader region, as well as the lack of adequate spaces and platforms for presentation and exchange of ideas.
The photographic industry has become harsh and brutal. Engaging in photography in the Balkans and making a living from it is like navigating a challenging marathon. The hardest part is staying in the game and surviving in the market, facing constant challenges. We don t have a market that enables photographers to live normally from their work, we don t have galleries that can sell artworks, and exhibition galleries often operate on the principle that the author must finance everything, which creates a vicious circle. In the Balkans, if you re not involved in commercial photography, you face existential challenges. Often, photographers engaged in artistic projects work as designers or perform other daily jobs to finance their involvement in photography. That s our reality. However, despite the challenges, we have artists who are pushing boundaries. As a festival, we can t change the situation, but we can support those who are struggling.
2. Could you please tell us more about the photography panorama in your region, its specificity, its relevance in the international scene and its strengths?
The Balkans has a rich cultural tapestry, influenced by various civilizations, religions, and traditions over centuries, but also it has experienced significant political and social turmoils, including wars, revolutions, and transitions. This diversity is reflected in the region
s photography through exploring themes such as conflict, identity, memory, and resilience.
Despite challenges, photographers from the region continue to produce impactful work that resonates with global audiences. What they are missing is opportunities and we are trying to change that through the festival and multiple networking events.
3. What inspired the theme "Intersection" for this year s festival, and how does it reflect the festival s goals and vision?
Intersection is a meeting place of different visions, styles and perspectives. This year we will send important messages, encourage new beginnings, develop dialogue and learn together. Our goal is to strengthen the ties within the community, create bridges between local and international authors and institutions, and strengthen the mutual connection that we have been trying to strengthen since the beginning of the festival. This theme directed us to establish cooperation with three festivals from the region and one from Europe this year. Exhibitions bring us authors from all parts of the world, while artistic discussions enable encounters for learning and inspiration, as well as providing local authors with the opportunity to present themselves. Intersection is a theme that breaks taboos in closed communities, allowing us to share and connect with each other.
4. What do you hope attendees will take away from their experience this year?
I hope attendees will take away a deeper appreciation for the power of photography as a medium for storytelling. I hope they leave inspired by the diverse perspectives and creative vision showcased by photographers from the Balkans and around the world. Also, I hope we “trigger” some of them and make them think about the complex issues facing the region and the broader global community. Whether exploring themes of identity, social justice, environmental sustainability, or cultural heritage, I hope the festival sparks meaningful conversations and reflections.
5. You are two women coordinating a Festival which is almost completely run by women. What other steps does the Sarajevo Photography Festival take to ensure inclusivity and representation of diverse perspectives, including those related to feminist and female themes and narratives, in its programming and exhibitions?
Ensuring inclusivity and representation of diverse perspectives is crucial to us. This includes feminist and female themes and narratives.
We actively seek out photographers, artists, and curators from diverse backgrounds to ensure a broad range of perspectives. This includes women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and those from marginalized communities.
Apart from that, we collaborate with local and international organizations that specialize in promoting gender equality and women s rights. By partnering with feminist groups, NGOs, and women s initiatives, we ensure that our programming reflects a commitment to inclusivity and social justice.
By taking these steps, we aim to create a festival that not only celebrates the art of photography but also serves as a platform for amplifying diverse voices, challenging stereotypes.
6.What is like to work in a female environment and what is the impact of having a predominantly female team on the development of the Festival?
I did not form a female team on purpose, but it simply happened naturally. Apart from Jelena Janković as a programme director and me as a festival director, our producer, graphic designer, hospitality manager, and other team members are dominantly women. In a female-dominated environment, communication styles are maybe a little more collaborative, empathetic, and relationship-focused.
In terms of the impact on the development of the festival, a predominantly female team I believe brings creativity, attention to detail, and effective collaboration to the planning and execution process. One of our young members told me something very interesting the other day, she said she noticed that after working for several years in a more male work environment, we are more open to voicing the fears and struggles we have out loud, in front of others, without the fear that we will sound less “powerful”. We are not afraid to say that we fear something big, but we also constantly face those fears and do even bigger things.
