Summary
- The 8th Photopolis Festival completed its main events in Agrinio on 11 October.
- Greek and international photographers took part.
- Three awards were presented during the short-film programme.
- Two photography exhibitions remain open through 31 October 2026.
The main events of the 8th Photopolis Festival in Agrinio have concluded with three film awards, while two photography exhibitions remain open until 31 October 2026.
Between 3 and 11 October, the festival brought together Greek and international photographers across several venues, with artist presentations, conversations, exhibition tours and short-film screenings.
Conversations behind the photographs
At the opening on 3 October, seven photographers exhibiting at the Old Municipal Market discussed the ideas and stories behind their work. The following day, visiting photographers and photography enthusiasts toured the venues and spoke directly with exhibiting artists about their approaches.
The programme also featured presentations and a public discussion with Canadian photographer Anton Bou and US photographer Brad Jones. Guests included Hossein Farmani, founder of the Lucie Foundation, and François Langella, exhibition curator at House of Lucie. Eleni Mouzakiti served as the festival’s artistic director.
These encounters built on the Photopolis 2026 exhibition programme, which brought different approaches to contemporary photography to the city. The House of Lucie Agrinio has also established an ongoing local presence and works with the festival on exhibitions and activities.
Twelve films and three awards
The film programme took place at the ANESIS Municipal Cinema on 10 and 11 October, featuring 12 selected short films. Three awards were announced after Sunday’s screenings.
Best Cinematography: “The Source”, Pino Di Persio.
Best Screenplay: “Cinema Bars”, Thanasis Papathanasiou.
Best Film: “Boeing 237”, Matthaios Anagnostopoulos and Michail Karafyllis.
The exhibitions continue beyond 11 October
Those who missed the main events can still visit the photography exhibitions at House of Lucie and Agrinio’s central square. According to the organisers, both remain open until 31 October 2026. This extension applies to those exhibitions rather than the full festival programme.
The Photopolis Cultural Association thanked the Municipality of Agrinio, the Greek Ministry of Culture, the Agrinio Gymnastics Society and the Taxidevousa social cooperative for their support, alongside sponsors, collaborators, volunteers and the art8 photography group.
What we think
A photography festival should be judged on more than the number of exhibitions it stages. The opportunity for artists to explain their work in person and talk with visitors adds something that an online presentation rarely provides: the context in which the images were made.
The involvement of people connected with the Lucie Foundation and House of Lucie creates opportunities for international exchange in a city beyond Greece’s largest cultural centres. Its longer-term value, though, depends on whether these encounters lead to sustained exhibition opportunities and meaningful dialogue for photographers.
Keeping exhibitions open after the main festival dates is a practical decision that benefits audiences. It gives people time to engage with the photographs on their own terms, away from the rush of opening-night events.
