Bristol Photo Festival 2026 Explores Time Machine Theme Across City Venues
The Bristol Photo Festival is set to return for its third installment from 14 October to 15 November 2026, under the theme "Time Machine," curated by Alejandro Acín. This year's program includes city-wide exhibitions that delve into the concept of non-linear time. A cave located near Castle Park will display works related to the contemporary significance of the Spanish Civil War, featuring artists such as Anna Jorné, Julián Barón, and Natasha Christia. Additionally, Akshay Mahajan will explore colonial hauntings, Giulio Di Sturco will present "Anthropocosmos," and Kegham Djeghalian will exhibit his late father's artwork. Annie Wang will focus on motherhood with "Mother as a Creator," and Christine Eyene will highlight George Hallett. The opening week is scheduled for 14–18 October, including various events and masterclasses. The festival also pays tribute to board member Martin Parr, who passed away in December 2025.
Key facts
- Bristol Photo Festival's third edition runs 14 October–15 November 2026, themed Time Machine
- Alejandro Acín serves as festival director for his second edition
- A cave near Castle Park hosts a show on the Spanish Civil War's contemporary resonance, 90 years after the conflict
- Artists in the Spanish Civil War show are Anna Jorné, Julián Barón and Natasha Christia
- Akshay Mahajan responds to the British Empire and Commonwealth Collection using Indian folklore
- Giulio Di Sturco presents Anthropocosmos, showing constructed spaces for testing space conditions
- Kegham Djeghalian exhibits work by his late father, who founded Gaza's first photographic studio
- Annie Wang's Mother as a Creator explores pregnancy, motherhood and creative roles
- Christine Eyene curates an exhibition at IC Visual Lab featuring George Hallett
- Opening week runs 14–18 October with parties, openings and a symposium
- An education weekend features masterclasses led by photographers and industry insiders
- The 2024 edition drew 40 per cent first-time visitors to Bristol Museum and Art Gallery
- Martin Parr, a long-term Bristol resident and board member, died in December 2025
- The Martin Parr Foundation hosts Dark Tales: British Documentary Photography and the Gothic
- Bristol on Photobooks returns to MPF on 17–18 October 2026
Entities
Artists
- Alejandro Acín
- Anna Jorné
- Julián Barón
- Natasha Christia
- Akshay Mahajan
- Giulio Di Sturco
- Kegham Djeghalian
- Kegham Avedis Garabet Djeghalian
- Annie Wang
- Christine Eyene
- George Hallett
- Amak Mahmoodian
- Martin Parr
- Ben GJ Thomas
- Safia Belhaj
- Holly Lynton
- Joy Gregory
- Giulio di Sturco
Institutions
- Bristol Photo Festival
- IC Visual Lab
- South African Resource Centre
- Bristol Museum and Art Gallery
- Royal Photographic Society
- Martin Parr Foundation
- Deutsche Börse Photography Foundation
- Bristol on Photobooks
- 1854 Photography
- Arnolfini
- Bristol Museums
- Watershed
- University of the West of England
- Brigstow Institute
- University of Bristol
- Photo London
- Paris Photo
- Rencontres d'Arles
- Les Rencontres de Bamako
- Kyotographie
- Cortona On The Move
- Aesthetica Magazine
- Magnum Photos
Locations
- Bristol
- United Kingdom
- Castle Park
- Goa
- India
- Pakistan
- Gaza
- Palestine
- London
- Taiwan
- Florence
- Massachusetts
- United States
- Spain
- Arles
- France
- Bamako
- Mali
- Kyoto
- Japan
- Cortona
- Italy
- England