The 9th Incheon Open Port International Photo Festival 2026: An Artistic Perspective on the Ocean, Environment, and the Message of Coexistence

A Time to Explore a Sustainable Future Co-created by Humanity and the Ocean

In July 2026, the Open Port area of Incheon, a maritime city rich in history and identity, will be illuminated by the profound perspectives and artistic reflections of photographers from around the world. Celebrating its 9th edition, the Incheon Open Port International Photo Festival sheds light on critical environmental issues facing humanity—such as the climate crisis, marine pollution, and threats to biodiversity—through the universal language of photography. Beyond merely appreciating art, this festival will serve as a meaningful platform to awaken public awareness of the marine environment and to explore the path to coexistence through the visionary imagination of art.

The Open Port Area Transformed into Galleries of Diverse Themes

The captivating original downtown of the Open Port area, where the past and present seamlessly coexist (including the Korea-China Cultural Center and Sangsang Platform), will be transformed into distinctive galleries presenting a total of six uniquely themed exhibitions. Each exhibition captures a distinct subject and perspective, offering visitors a rich and multidimensional artistic experience.

• 10-Nation International Photography Exchange Exhibition - Ocean and Environment: Renowned photographers from across the globe participate to illuminate the intricate relationship between the ocean and humanity. By addressing global marine environmental issues like climate change from multiple angles, the exhibition forms a powerful artistic solidarity.

• World University Student Photography Festival - Identity of Photography: Faculty and students from over 80 universities across 10 countries participate, capturing the contemporary struggles through the fresh perspectives of the younger generation. It guides us on an intellectual journey exploring the core identity and infinite possibilities of future photographic art.

• Linked Country Photographers Exhibition - Photos Connecting the Yellow Sea: Photographers from South Korea and China, who share the Yellow Sea as a single community of life, come together to artistically evoke the urgent need for international cooperation against shared environmental threats.

• Incheon Photographers Exhibition - Narration of the Incheon: From the 1960s Open Port records by the late Sung Nak-in, a pioneer of Korean contemporary photography, to the fading alleys of today, this exhibition unfolds the profound historical depth and narratives of Incheon across different eras.

• Joseon During the Open Port Period - The Open Ports in the Glover Albums: Through the rare and historical Glover family albums, the daily life and landscapes of 19th-century Jemulpo (Incheon) are re-examined. It vividly reveals the international aspects of the Open Port area through the eyes of foreign residents.

• From the Polar Oceans - Breath of the Planet: Featuring photographs of magnificent polar landscapes and marine activities captured by researchers from the Korea Polar Research Institute, this exhibition conveys the absolute wonders of nature and the vital value of its preservation, showcasing surreal sceneries rarely encountered in everyday life.

Communication, Experience, and the Sustainable Growth of Photographic Art

Moving beyond visual exhibitions, the festival offers enriching interactive side events, including the 19th-century style 'Collodion Wet Plate Photography Experience' and 'Portfolio Reviews' designed for students who will lead the future of the photographic art scene. These engaging programs establish a genuine festival venue where artists and visitors can actively interact and share creative inspiration.

Addressing the timely theme of the marine environment through visual arts, this festival will serve as a crucial stepping stone in promoting Incheon's cultural and artistic stature globally, while exploring the social responsibility of photographic art. It will provide an invaluable opportunity to expand artistic networks and to deeply empathize with the necessity of marine conservation through the impactful messages delivered by photography.

Ultimately, the 9th Incheon Open Port International Photo Festival transcends a conventional photo exhibition. It stands as a comprehensive platform integrating art, culture, and the environment, thereby cementing Incheon's role as a premier global city of culture and arts.

We cordially invite you to the Incheon Open Port, where the narrative of humanity and the ocean comes alive, commencing on July 25, 2026. We hope you will experience unforgettable artistic inspiration and profound reflections on our environment in this historic place where diverse global perspectives converge.

The Organizing Committee of the Incheon Open Port International Photo Festival
General Director Lim Sang-sub