The 2025 Lishui Photography Festival has solidified its status as a premier global photography event, attracting submissions from over 100 countries and regions. This year's festival received a record 36,123 works from 2,418 photographers and institutions.

Visitors attend a previous edition of Lishui Photography Festival. [Photo/ Lishui Photography Festival]

A significant milestone was achieved this July when the International Photography Symposium and Lishui Photography Festival were included in the action plan of the Global Civilizations Dialogue Ministerial Meeting.

The festival attracts major international partners, including the United Kingdom's FORMAT International Photography Festival and Parsons School of Design from the United States. Over 20 years, it has transitioned from inviting participants to attracting unsolicited global submissions.

Visitors attend a previous edition of Lishui Photography Festival. [Photo/ Lishui Photography Festival]

Through photography, Lishui builds a cultural bridge for the world to discover the city. International artists like Australia's Jason Blake have formed deep connections with local communities, with some describing Lishui as a warm home.

Visitors attend a previous edition of Lishui Photography Festival. [Photo/ Lishui Photography Festival]

Embracing the theme "Innovation Sparks Possibilities," the festival pioneers new imaging frontiers. It introduced VR in 2017 and established a dedicated AI award in 2023, actively exploring integration with technology and digital media.

The festival has thus moved beyond being a mere prestigious platform to becoming an incubator and thought leader for new photographic ideas.