There’s an international photography festival happening at Nuanu Creative City in Bali

Bali’s cultural calendar is having a strong summer. After the buzz around Day Zero Bali, the island is now adding FOTO Bali Festival 2026 to the mix. The photography festival is returning to Nuanu Creative City from June 3 to July 12, bringing together 36 artists from 24 countries for its second edition. This year’s theme is Afterimage, exploring memory, continuity, and the ways images continue to shape meaning long after the moment they capture has passed.

The final line-up was selected from nearly 700 submissions across more than 80 countries, with the chosen artists representing a genuinely global mix spanning Asia, Africa, Europe, the Americas and Oceania. According to the festival, the final selection accounts for just over 5 percent of total submissions.

The festival also feels like another sign that Nuanu Creative City is serious about positioning itself as more than just a glossy lifestyle complex on Bali’s southwest coast. Founded by Nuanu, FOTO Bali is pitched as an international photography-led cultural festival, and its programming is set to include exhibitions, talks, and workshops rather than static wall displays. Alongside international names, the 2026 edition will also feature eight Indonesian artists, bringing local perspectives into the wider conversation.

If you’re thinking of making a trip of it, this is where we shamelessly remind you that Oshom Bali – the boutique hotel we previously checked into and genuinely enjoyed – is located right within Nuanu Creative City. It makes a pretty fitting base for a Bali vacay that includes contemporary art, endless sea views, and beautifully designed rooms.

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