NonFiction Photo Festival Rewind 2021

NonFiction Photo Festival 2021 Rewind

This year's edition of the NonFiction Photo Festival featured the globally renowned World Press Photo Exhibition presenting ‘the stories that need to be told’' from the year 2020. In addition, the local Fair Fashion expo took a solution approach towards sustainable fashion.

The festival was visited by over 3,400 people, not only from the Netherlands but also from all over the world. “Wonderful pictures, great atmosphere”, said one of the many visitors. The World Press Photo Exhibition covered a variety of themes most prominent in the year 2020. From the Covid-19 pandemic sweeping the nation, the social justice movements around the globe to the politics surrounding trans people. The focal point is the winner of the 2021 Photo Contest held by the World Press Photo Foundation: ‘The First Embrace’ by Mads Nissen.

The local Fair Fashion expo depicted the environmentally harmful and human undignifying state of the fashion industry. The photographs created by Ismail Ferdous and Pieter van den Boogert brought the issues closer to the forefront. Photographs by Andrea Hooymans, Sebastiaan Rodenhuis and Dennis Lapré displayed the viable options towards a more sustainable industry, creating a sense of hope.

Entering the monumental Groningen Synagogue the exhibition space of the festival can feel intimidating at first. A feeling that fleets away as soon as you approach an international front desk volunteers. “I like the culture of NonFiction Photo, since it's an English-speaking friendly organisation, and it welcomes the diversity in the organisation”, said one of our many volunteers.

In addition to the exhibitions, three major events were launched, as part of a larger Visual Academy programme. This programme brings to life through the tellings of media experts from the University of Groningen and local professional photographers. Through giving real-life examples, solutions to current issues can be explored. One of them is Viva! Vintagea vintage clothing store owned by Joyce. Showing her passion for sustainability, she organised a fashion show amidst the winning images of the World Press Photo Exhibition 2021. The classical music, playing on the day of the fashion show, quietly sets the mood of importance and sophistication that seems all too fitting with the impactful stories surrounding one stepping into the space.

The music shifts to a funky beat and the mood with it. The visitors are taken off guard and are anticipating what is next to come. The show begins and one model after the other shows fun vintage clothing - hinting at a colourful opportunity for the fashion industry. Joyce: “It doesn't make me rich, but it does make me happy”.

Want to contribute to the next edition of the NonFiction Photo Festival and be part of our wonderful team? Check out our vacancy page and see if there is something for you.