Theatre of Dreams is a proposal for imagining alternative futures and paths to propel us towards a possible paradigm shift. Through lens-based practices and visual narratives, the festival aims to showcase a cross-section of voices and perspectives critically addressing our dreams and desires for the future, many of which emanate from the contingencies and volatility of the present. The theme invites images that distil our yearning for social, political and economic equality, those that celebrate community, while facing, resisting and acknowledging our everyday reality.

COVID-19, and its initial impact, was catastrophic. However, more than a year on, we still find ourselves in the midst of an ongoing pandemic, one that continues to ebb and flow. Much of what appeared catastrophic can now be seen as compounded by disasters that were already waiting in the wings. The present moment offers a possibility of a reckoning—to not reset back to a past we know, but an occasion to challenge the structures that existed before, and those that have been exacerbated during this epochal time. We see this as an opportunity to rewrite the rulebook for the future.

BredaPhoto invites lens-based projects including, but not limited to photo, video or digital projects, film and moving image and installations. We welcome inter/multidisciplinary collaborations, in both content and form, and encourage works that rest on collaboration especially image-makers that may be working with individuals outside of the arts for e.g. scientists, urban planners, farmers, activists, environmentalists, academics, local organizers, in order to bring forth narratives that are novel and relevant for our times.

The selected photographers will get the chance to show their work at the largest photo festival of in the Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg (Benelux) region.

For more information on the curatorial theme as well as Bruno Latour’s research paper titled “What protective measures can you think of so we don’t go back to the pre-crisis production model?” that served as the prompt for the discussion please visit bredaphoto.nl.