The Egyptian Creative Community Came Alive at Cairo Photo Week
For ten days last May, the streets of Cairo pulsed with creative energy. Cairo Photo Week, now a cornerstone in the visual culture calendar of the region, returned with its most expansive and ambitious edition yet. On its 4th edition, and held every two years, 'Finding The View' gave name to this year's theme. From Downtown Cairo's heritage venues to the galleries and institutions of New Cairo, the festival transformed the city into a living, breathing celebration of photography and visual storytelling.
Organized by Photopia, the independent platform led by Marwa Abu Leila, Cairo Photo Week 2025 unfolded with an impressive breadth of programming: 25 exhibitions featuring the work of 120 artists, over 100 talks and panels, 16 workshops, 6 exhibition tours and photowalks, 53 portfolio reviews, and a rich lineup of networking events. In total, more than 600 hours of programming reached an audience of over 25,000 attendees—including 2,000 students and early-career creatives—making this edition a resounding affirmation of Egypt's vibrant and growing creative community.
What makes Cairo Photo Week unique is not just the scale, but its soul. Throughout its many venues—14 in total across two districts—one could feel a palpable sense of connection and momentum. From the bustling energy of the exhibition openings to the quiet intensity of portfolio reviews, the festival felt less like an event and more like a movement.
In the exhibitions, established names were shown alongside emerging voices, creating powerful juxtapositions that captured the multiplicity of the region's visual culture. Local photographers documented the nuances of daily life in Cairo with intimacy and urgency, while international artists added new dimensions to the conversation, enriching the global context without overshadowing the local.
As a guest, speaker, and portfolio reviewer, I had the privilege of engaging directly with many of the artists and attendees. The hunger for dialogue, mentorship, and community was evident at every turn—from packed panel discussions to spontaneous debates between generations of image-makers. Cairo Photo Week is more than a platform; it is a catalyst.
The Fashion Feed: Virality, Burnout & the New Visual Economy panel at the Cairo Design District (One-Ninety, New Cairo). From left to right: Abdallah Sabry, Daniel Rodríguez Gordillo, Bassam Allam, Ämr Ezzeldinn and Farida El Shafie.
PhotoVogue: The Power of Community. Daniel Rodríguez Gordillo in Downtown Cairo.
Egypt's creative scene is alive, and thriving. Thanks to the tireless work of Photopia and the many artists, educators, and institutions involved, Cairo Photo Week is fostering a space where ideas can take root and visions can evolve. It is not just reflecting the current state of photography in the region—it is actively shaping its future.
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