Fotofestival Schiedam (FFS) is an annual festival that takes you on a journey through contemporary photography. The seventh edition of the festival has the theme Transitions. The world was changing rapidly in 2020, and FFS set out to document that historic moment.
The programming includes big established names such as the photographers of Magnum Photos to young up-and-coming talent. Expect a collection of different genres. These are exhibited in an innovative way, in spatial installations, different from the typical photo on the wall. The photos are also shown at a special location in the historic city center of Schiedam.
The world in transition
The year 2020 brought major changes that called for careful documentation. The differences between rich and poor seem to be increasing, while different cultures and traditions influence each other in all kinds of ways. Conversations about different extremes are held and opinions are expressed from all kinds of perspectives.
Contemporary transitions, such as those caused by the Covid19 crisis, Brexit and the Black Lives Matter movement, are discussed, among other things, in this edition of the Schiedam Photo Festival.
Program
That year, Fotofestival Schiedam presented Magnum Photos, a collective of big names such as Elliott Erwitt, Martin Parr, Paolo Pellegrin, Philippe Halsman, Steve McCurry and Bruce Gilden. In addition, a collection of photographs by visual artist Sarah Maple was scheduled to be shown, who critically questions the language of the Brexit campaign.
Also Ilvy Njiokiktjien, who won the first prize of the Silver Camera 2019 in Storytelling with her project Born free was featured with her exhibition Mandela's Generation of Hope. Furthermore, the winners of the 'Open Call' were scheduled to be announced and the work of young Instagram talent was scheduled to be exhibited, offering us a glimpse into the world of digital art.
The exhibitions were held on the Dirkzwager Terrain, in an enormous warehouse of more than 1600m2. The large space, the extra measures taken and the adapted walking route were intended to make the festival safe to visit.
