The 13th edition of Kyotographie International Photography Festival opens its doors from April 13 to May 12, 2024. With the theme of "Humanity", this year's program showcases 13 artists from 10 countries whose work reflects on love, empathy, resilience, and the complex tapestry of human experience. This year's festival not only celebrates photography as an art form, but also spotlights the work of groundbreaking women photographers - a focus underscored by the support of Dior, whose sponsorship deepens the brand's ongoing commitment to women in the arts.
© Graciela Iturbide
At the heart of the festival is the first full retrospective in Japan of Graciela Iturbide, one of Mexico's most iconic photographers. Spanning over six decades, her black-and-white images capture a world where ritual, nature, and cultural identity converge. Drawing from Indigenous traditions in Mexico, Iturbide's work is filled with symbolic juxtapositions: birds in flight, desert landscapes, sacred gatherings, and solitary figures in quiet communion with the land. Her portraits of Zapotec women and muxes reveal not only cultural richness but also resilience, presenting her subjects with dignity and emotional depth. Dior, under the creative direction of Maria Grazia Chiuri, supports this exhibition as part of its wider mission to amplify women's voices in the arts.
© Pamela Tulizo
Equally powerful is the presence of Pamela Tulizo, a rising Congolese photographer and past recipient of the Dior Photography and Visual Arts Award for Young Talents. Her latest project, MABABU - Spirit of the Ancestors, is featured in KG+, Kyotographie's open-entry satellite program that showcases emerging talents. Through a dozen striking portraits, Tulizo reimagines scenes tied to the transatlantic slave trade, with a specific focus on the roles and suffering of African women. Set in environments symbolizing labor and exploitation - such as cotton fields and domestic spaces - her work transforms historical pain into acts of remembrance and strength. Tulizo's photographs reclaim lost narratives, paying tribute to the forgotten heroines of a global trauma while celebrating their courage and humanity.
These two artists are part of a broader movement within Kyotographie 2025, where women photographers are leading the conversation on humanity through their lens. Each image offers a fresh perspective on the complexities of the human condition - tackling themes of memory, resilience, identity, and connection. Whether it is through the intimate exploration of personal stories, or through the broader landscapes of historical and social issues, women artists are challenging us to look deeper, feel more, and understand one another. Their work pushes the boundaries of photography as a medium, not only capturing moments in time but also questioning the systems that shape the world.
The KG+ program, now in its 13th year, plays a vital role in this dialogue. By providing emerging photographers, especially women, with the platform to showcase their work and connect with international curators, KG+ ensures that diverse, underrepresented voices are heard. Through initiatives like KG+ SELECT, where a select group of 10 artists is chosen for further exposure, the festival continues to spotlight fresh, innovative voices who are reshaping the future of photography. One of the winners of KG+ SELECT is given the opportunity to exhibit in the main Kyotographie program the following year, cementing their place in the global conversation.
Through Kyotographie's 2025 edition, we see how photography becomes more than just an art form - it is a way to preserve histories, amplify voices, and ignite conversations that bridge divides. As we look towards the future of this celebrated festival, the role of women in shaping its narrative cannot be overstated. These women, through their images and their stories, help us reflect on who we are as human beings and how we can move forward together with empathy, resilience, and understanding. Check out Kyotographie's website to see the other brilliant women photographers being featured this year.
