TABANAN, DEWATA.NEWS – The second edition of the FOTO Bali Festival is set to take place from June 3 to July 12, 2026, at Nuanu Creative City in Tabanan Bali, marking a significant rise in international participation and global interest in the event.
Organizers reported receiving 693 photographic submissions from 80 countries and regions through the festival’s open call program. This represents nearly a threefold increase compared to its inaugural edition in 2025, which attracted 247 works from 29 countries.
Participants come from across Asia, Europe, the Americas, Africa, and Oceania. Indonesia, India, and Italy recorded the highest number of submissions, followed by contributors from the United States, China, Germany, and several countries in Europe and Southeast Asia.
Festival Director Kelsang Dolma said the growing number of international entries reflects the festival’s expanding recognition within the global photography community.
“The acceptance of works from 80 countries in this second edition is a strong signal that the festival is beginning to resonate beyond Bali and Indonesia. What matters most to us is not just the numbers, but the quality and diversity of photographic practices represented through this selection process,” she stated.
The 2026 edition carries the theme “Afterimage,” inviting photographers to explore the traces left behind after events, changes, or moments have passed. The theme positions photography as a medium to examine memory, time, and ongoing transformation.
Curator Kurniadi Widodo noted that submitted works reflect a wide range of visual approaches, from personal explorations of history and identity to broader global issues such as environmental change and social dynamics.
Meanwhile, co-curator Putu Sridiniari highlighted that many participants use photography not only as documentation but also as a tool to construct meaning around human experience and the passage of time.
The festival is part of the broader cultural ecosystem developed within Nuanu Creative City, which brings together artists, curators, thinkers, and creative communities through interdisciplinary programs.
During the festival period, visitors can expect a series of activities including photography exhibitions, artist programs, public discussions, and educational sessions involving both local and international participants.
For international audiences, the event reinforces Bali’s role as an emerging hub for global creative exchange, offering opportunities for cultural engagement beyond traditional tourism experiences.