Festival: Surreal and Creative Photography
Partner of FotoSlovo Awards 2025
International Festival of Surreal and Creative Photography located in Fréjus, France, celebrates bold and imaginative approaches to contemporary photography. Held each autumn at the historic Villa Aurélienne in Fréjus, it brings together artists from around the globe whose work delves into themes of dreams, the subconscious, symbolism, and visual innovation.
We are happy to announce that the International Festival of Surreal and Creative Photography, Partner of the FotoSlovo Awards 2025, will host an exclusive exhibition of the FotoSlovo Awards winners. The exhibition will take place on the stunning French Riviera in Frejus from September 20 to 28, 2025.
Through a rich program of exhibitions, film screenings, artist talks, and workshops, the festival creates a dynamic space for creative exchange and open dialogue between artists and the public.
Partner of FotoSlovo Awards 2025, International Festival of Surreal and Creative Photography shares its insights in the exclusive interview with us.
We are happy to announce that the International Festival of Surreal and Creative Photography, Partner of the FotoSlovo Awards 2025, will host an exclusive exhibition of the FotoSlovo Awards winners. The exhibition will take place on the stunning French Riviera in Frejus from September 20 to 28, 2025.
Through a rich program of exhibitions, film screenings, artist talks, and workshops, the festival creates a dynamic space for creative exchange and open dialogue between artists and the public.
Partner of FotoSlovo Awards 2025, International Festival of Surreal and Creative Photography shares its insights in the exclusive interview with us.
"Our mission is to stay free, accessible, and open to all forms of photographic expression—while celebrating the power of the surreal and the personal."
— Hello! How did the Festival begin, and how has it evolved since 2019?
— The Festival began in 2019, initiated by the photographers’ association Forum Julii Photo, with a simple yet ambitious goal: to give a platform to artists who dare to explore imagination, dreams, and the strange. Since then, it has become a unique space for expression, welcoming creators who break away from conventional paths.
Our mission remains the same: to offer an international stage for creative and surrealist photography while maintaining a strong sense of accessibility! Run entirely by a team of volunteers, the festival is free for both exhibitors and visitors, and open to all forms of photographic expression—be they classical or experimental.
Over the years, the festival has expanded its reach, welcoming more international artists, growing audiences, and forming exciting new partnerships—such as this year’s collaboration with FotoSlovo.
Our mission remains the same: to offer an international stage for creative and surrealist photography while maintaining a strong sense of accessibility! Run entirely by a team of volunteers, the festival is free for both exhibitors and visitors, and open to all forms of photographic expression—be they classical or experimental.
Over the years, the festival has expanded its reach, welcoming more international artists, growing audiences, and forming exciting new partnerships—such as this year’s collaboration with FotoSlovo.
— What is the curatorial philosophy behind the festival?
— At the heart of our identity is the “carte blanche” approach: we impose no theme, format, or technique. This freedom encourages bold, uninhibited creation.
To maintain coherence within this diversity, we ask each artist to submit a series of works unified by an artistic vision—revealing their personal universe. Each photographer expresses their own perspective, and the full range of series on display reflects the richness and borderless nature of creativity. This personal approach fosters a dialogue among the artists’ worlds while respecting each individual’s uniqueness.
When selecting participants, we prioritize originality, visual strength, and the coherence of the artistic project. We aim to present a balanced mix of emerging and established artists, as well as a variety of traditional and contemporary techniques.
To maintain coherence within this diversity, we ask each artist to submit a series of works unified by an artistic vision—revealing their personal universe. Each photographer expresses their own perspective, and the full range of series on display reflects the richness and borderless nature of creativity. This personal approach fosters a dialogue among the artists’ worlds while respecting each individual’s uniqueness.
When selecting participants, we prioritize originality, visual strength, and the coherence of the artistic project. We aim to present a balanced mix of emerging and established artists, as well as a variety of traditional and contemporary techniques.
— Can you share please how did the partnership with FotoSlovo come about?
— The inclusion of FotoSlovo Award winners came from a natural artistic affinity. FotoSlovo shares our passion for meaningful, emotional, and mysterious imagery.
This collaboration opens the festival to new cultural horizons, shining a light on singular and powerful perspectives. It enriches the international artistic dialogue by confronting different yet complementary worldviews.
We see this as a valuable opportunity to broaden the conversation and deepen the global creative exchange.
This collaboration opens the festival to new cultural horizons, shining a light on singular and powerful perspectives. It enriches the international artistic dialogue by confronting different yet complementary worldviews.
We see this as a valuable opportunity to broaden the conversation and deepen the global creative exchange.
— What role does the Villa Aurélienne play in the festival, and how does the festival engage its audience?
— The Villa Aurélienne is a truly exceptional setting: a 19th-century mansion nestled within 24 hectares of greenery. A place seemingly outside of time, it becomes the ideal playground for artworks that explore dreamlike and surreal realms.
The contrast between classical architecture and the surrealist worlds of the artists creates a uniquely immersive experience.
We are deeply grateful to the City of Fréjus, which generously makes the villa available to us for two weeks, helping transform the event into something poetic and wonderfully beyond the ordinary.
In addition to the exhibitions, we offer artist talks, workshops, photo walks, conferences, and masterclasses—activities that encourage sharing, learning, and collective creativity.
We also place great importance on our local roots. The public in Fréjus is curious, loyal, and engaged. The festival has become a highlight of the city’s cultural calendar, fostering intergenerational dialogue and an openness to the international art scene.
The contrast between classical architecture and the surrealist worlds of the artists creates a uniquely immersive experience.
We are deeply grateful to the City of Fréjus, which generously makes the villa available to us for two weeks, helping transform the event into something poetic and wonderfully beyond the ordinary.
In addition to the exhibitions, we offer artist talks, workshops, photo walks, conferences, and masterclasses—activities that encourage sharing, learning, and collective creativity.
We also place great importance on our local roots. The public in Fréjus is curious, loyal, and engaged. The festival has become a highlight of the city’s cultural calendar, fostering intergenerational dialogue and an openness to the international art scene.
— What is your vision for the future of the Festival?
— Our aim is to let the festival grow without losing its independent and human spirit.
We hope to gradually welcome more international artists, build lasting artistic connections, and in the future publish an annual catalog.
Without striving to become a large institutional event, we hope the festival will continue to find its place in the landscape of creative photography—while remaining a free, welcoming, and inspiring space for all.
We hope to gradually welcome more international artists, build lasting artistic connections, and in the future publish an annual catalog.
Without striving to become a large institutional event, we hope the festival will continue to find its place in the landscape of creative photography—while remaining a free, welcoming, and inspiring space for all.