About 私たちについて

KYOTOGRAPHIE, held in the spring in the ancient city of Kyoto, is one of the few truly international artistic events taking place in Japan. While honouring its millennium of history and tradition, Kyoto is at the same time a leading light of culture on an international scale. Valuable collections of photography and works by internationally renowned artists are exhibited in elegant, historic buildings as well as modern architectural spaces. Some shows feature the work of traditional artisans, while others highlight collaborations with the most modern technology. The exhibitions are presented outside the traditional galley format and work in harmony with the spaces in which they reside. Our goal is to present a multifaceted photography festival that cannot be found anywhere else but Kyoto.

The 2011 Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami was a vivid reminder of the need for solid platforms for communication and cultural exchange between Japan and the rest of the world. Japanese camera and printing technology is legendary, but Japanese photographers still have a long way to go in terms of being recognised for their use of photography as a medium of expression. KYOTOGRAPHIE seeks to explore issues that affect us all through photography while showcasing the incredible talent in Japan and the rest of the world here in Kyoto, a city of both tradition and innovation.
In this effort we have benefited from the assistance of numerous corporations, organisations and individuals, as well as the city, prefectural and national governments. Without this support, KYOTOGRAPHIE would not be possible. Young people, in particular, have the potential to serve as a link between Japan and the rest of the world. While every day of preparation has been a process of trial and error, each one has brought new encounters and opportunities. We are confident this fusion of the new and the old will bring about new ways of thinking, and propel our festival to new heights.

Humanity encompasses the diverse experiences and qualities that define us as individuals and as a collective. As we grow further as a society, how do we define humanity? Reflecting on our capacity for love, empathy, and resilience, the 2025 KYOTOGRAPHIE theme is illuminated through two distinct cultural perspectives: the Japanese and the Western, exploring the diversity of human experience. Western traditions often highlight individuality, autonomy, and the centrality of humans in the world, celebrating personal freedom and universal moral principles. In contrast, the Japanese concept of humanity is deeply relational, emphasizing harmony and interdependence, and viewing humanity as inseparable from the natural world. The lived experience is central to the works within this year’s program. Artworks created from deep emotional responses to life reflect and comment on the fabric in which each of us exist. Perhaps our shared traits and values remind us of our responsibility to nurture compassion, foster understanding and create a sense of belonging, and connection. In seeking meaning together through the power of photography we hope that it may engage people to create a shared understanding of humanity in all its complexity, inspiring greater connection and shared accountability in our ever-changing and chaotic world.

Lucille Reyboz & Yusuke Nakanishi
Co-founders and Co-Directors of
KYOTOGRAPHIE

Outline 開催概要

KYOTOGRAPHIE
International Photography Festival 2025

NAME: KYOTOGRAPHIE
Kyoto International Photography Festival 2025

DATES: April 12 (Sat) - May 11 (Sun), 2025

Lucille Reyboz & Yusuke Nakanishi

KYOTOGRAPHIE Co-Founders and Directors

Lucille Reyboz

Photographer. Born in 1973 in Lyon, France, Lucille Reyboz began her journey with photography in Africa, where she spent most of her childhood. She first came to Japan in 1999, invited by Ryuichi Sakamoto to collaborate on his opera “Life.” As a portrait photographer, Lucille Reyboz produced numerous record covers for labels such as Blue Note and Verve working with many renowned artists over her 20 years in the industry. She exhibited her work in Africa, Japan and around the world; most notably in Visa pour l’image (2001), Phillips de Pury in New York (2007), and CHANEL NEXUS HALL, Tokyo (2011). She published several books, including Batammaba by Gallimard, Belles de Bamako and Impressions du Japon with Keiichiro Hirano by Editions de la Martinière. Together with Yusuke Nakanishi, Lucille Reyboz co-founded and is the co-director of KYOTOGRAPHIE in 2013, and KYOTOPHONIE Borderless Music Festival in 2023.

Yusuke Nakanishi

Lighting Director. Yusuke Nakanishi was born in 1968 in Fukuoka, and currently lives in Kyoto. He travels the world, expressing his impressions of light and shadow from his memories. He has worked as a lighting director for music videos, feature films, stages, music concerts, fashion shows and interior designs. He also created lighting object series eatable lights and Tamashii and has exhibited installations at the Hara Museum, School Gallery (Paris), including Nuit Blanche in Kyoto. He co-founded KYOTOGRAPHIE with Lucille Reyboz in 2013 and is the co-director. In Autumn 2022, he was involved in the creative direction for Van Cleef & Arpels exhibition LIGHT OF FLOWERS, which was held on the grounds of Shimogamo Shrine and the Tadasunomori Forest. In 2023, he co-founded KYOTOPHONIE Borderless Music Festival with Lucille Reyboz.

Copylight: Isabel Munoz

Vision ビジョン

KYOTOGRAPHIE aims to foster an appreciation of photography as a medium and art form.

We actively seek innovation in audience and artist engagement, and bring opportunities’ for professional development, collaboration and self-expression.

We strive to educate through our Public Program and exhibitions.

We inspire a greater appreciation and understanding of photography, with original scenography in traditional and contemporary architecture.

We hope that the exchanges born through KYOTOGRAPHIE will lead to new creations and businesses, contributing to the promotion of employment in the arts sector in Kyoto.

We aim to establish KYOTOGRAPHIE as an important annual event that enhances global attention on Kyoto and provides a compelling reason for people from both Japan and abroad to visit the city.

Web Archive

Closing Report

The Story So Far これまでのストーリー

In this effort we have benefited from the assistance of numerous corporations, organizations and individuals, as well as the city, prefectural and national governments. Without this support, KYOTOGRAPHIE would not be possible.

Young people, in particular, have the potential to serve as a link between Japan and the rest of the world. While every day of preparation has been a process of trial and error, each one has brought new encounters and opportunities.

We are confident this fusion of the new and the old will bring about new ways of thinking, and propel our festival to new heights.