Pastoral series, by Haiyin Lin [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
The 11th edition of the Jimei × Arles International Photo Festival is set to open in Xiamen, Fujian province, on Nov 29, running through Jan 4, presenting more than 25 exhibitions that celebrate the diversity and vitality of contemporary photography and moving image art.
As Asia's premier annual photography event, Jimei × Arles stands as the only cultural platform in China in long-term collaboration with Les Rencontres d'Arles, the world-renowned photography festival in France. Since its founding in 2015, the festival has evolved into a vibrant bridge for international artistic exchange—showcasing innovative visual practices from around the world while bringing Chinese photographers to global attention.
Situated in Jimei district, a dynamic area where tradition meets modernity, the festival transforms the city into a living gallery each winter. Through university lectures, portfolio reviews, artist-led tours, and public programs, Jimei × Arles continues to weave art into daily life, reinforcing Xiamen as a nexus of cultural exchange between China and the world.
Over the past decade, Jimei × Arles has presented over 300 exhibitions featuring more than 700 artists, hosted 800 public events, and attracted over 550 thousand visitors, making Xiamen a growing hub for global photographic dialogue.
The 2025 Art Committee brings together distinguished figures, including Christoph Wiesner, director of Les Rencontres d'Arles; Gu Zheng, professor of Photography at Fudan University; Bas Vroege, founder of Paradox in the Netherlands; and Sarah Kennel, PhD, curator of Photography at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. Their participation reflects the festival's ongoing commitment to international cooperation and curatorial professionalism.
This year's edition will feature works from the China, Brazil, the United States, Spain, the Netherlands, Mexico, and Singapore, spanning photography, video, installation, and multimedia. Among the highlights are six exhibitions selected from Les Rencontres d'Arles 2025, the "Jimei × Arles Discovery Award", and the winning exhibition of the "Curatorial Award for Photography and Moving Image" jointly launched with CHANEL.
As it enters its second decade, the Jimei × Arles International Photo Festival stands as a testament to the enduring power of the image. It sets not only to record, but to connect, imagine, and inspire across borders.
The poster for the 11th edition of the Jimei × Arles International Photo Festival. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
China has launched a new pilot program to allow eligible enterprises greater access to overseas financing in support of green and low-carbon transformation projects, the country's foreign exchange regulator said on Aug 21.
