Photo North Festival 2026 Puts Photography in the Spotlight in Leeds
The Photo North Festival 2026 is set to bring photography centre stage in Leeds, running from 13 to 15 March. This event aims to encourage artists from every corner of the country, featuring a mix of established and emerging talent through reviews, exhibitions, and discussions. The festival provides a platform for photographers to share their work and engage with the community, fostering creativity and dialogue in the vibrant city of Leeds.
Featured Photographers and Their Works
Among the highlights is Simon Hill's series The North Revisited, which includes evocative images such as a picture taken at Blackpool Pleasure Beach. Another notable contribution is Mike Goldwater's series Island, with his shot Life drawing for the socially distanced captured during the pandemic, offering a poignant reflection on isolation and connection.
Joanne Coates presents Greenvoe and the Anti-Idyll, a poetic examination of life on the Orkneys, typically focusing on working-class and rural communities. Anne Worthington, a self-taught photographer, showcases Young Skins, a series started in 2002 that captures young people on the brink of adulthood, revealing the nuances of this transitional phase.
Mike Abrahams documents the dramatic coastline in north Wales with Where The Carneddau Meets the Sea, exploring the lives of those who live, work, and holiday in the region. Soulla Petrou, known for documenting the UK, features a shot of singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor from her book Rewind, adding a musical and cultural dimension to the festival.
International and Historical Perspectives
The festival also includes international works, such as Seamus Murphy's photo essay Smoke and Mirrors, shot in 2004 and 2025 in the West Bank city of Nablus. This series reflects on how life can mimic the carefully staged realities of film, with the 2004 images partially created while Murphy worked on the film Paradise Now.
Historical documentation is represented by Janine Wiedel's work on St Agnes Place, the longest-running squat in London, which she documented for four years until Lambeth council demolished the last house in 2007. Tom Shaw contributes A Portrait of Cricket, a tribute to everyday cricketers in England, with an image of a cricket match obscured by fog, symbolising perseverance.
Omar Ashtawy, the 2025 winner of the Ian Parry photojournalism grant, presents a powerful image from Gaza, showing the mother of Khaled al-Shinbari, a Palestinian teenager killed by Israeli fire in August 2025, holding his shoes during his funeral at al-Shifa hospital. This work highlights the festival's commitment to diverse and impactful storytelling.
Festival Impact and Community Engagement
The Photo North Festival 2026 not only showcases a wide range of photographic styles and subjects but also aims to inspire and support artists across the UK. By bringing together photographers from various backgrounds, the event encourages discussions on contemporary issues and artistic techniques. Leeds serves as an ideal host city, with its rich cultural scene providing a dynamic backdrop for this celebration of photography.
Attendees can expect to engage with thought-provoking exhibitions and participate in reviews that offer insights into the creative process. The festival's focus on both local and international talent ensures a comprehensive view of the photography world, making it a must-visit for enthusiasts and professionals alike.
