In February 2025, Zontiga embarked on an inspiring journey to Siem Reap, Cambodia, to visit the 20th edition of the Angkor Photo Festival—one of the longest-running photography festivals in Southeast Asia. As a space dedicated to photography books and artistic discourse, Zontiga’s presence at the festival was a natural extension of its mission to engage with photographers, storytellers, and visual artists from around the world.
A Legacy of Storytelling: The Angkor Photo Festival at 20
Since its inception in 2005, the Angkor Photo Festival & Workshops has become a key platform for emerging and established photographers, particularly from Asia. The festival is known for its commitment to education, mentorship, and the exploration of pressing social issues through visual storytelling. Marking its 20th edition, the 2025 festival was a celebration of two decades of powerful imagery, evolving narratives, and a growing community of photographers pushing the boundaries of documentary and artistic photography.
This milestone edition featured a dynamic mix of exhibitions, artist talks, portfolio reviews, and the renowned Angkor Photo Workshops—a free, tuition-based program that has mentored hundreds of young photographers from Asia since 2005.
Celebrating the 20th Edition of Workshop Participants
One of the most inspiring aspects of the Angkor Photo Festival is its dedication to nurturing young photographic talent. The Angkor Photo Workshops has played a crucial role in shaping the next generation of visual storytellers, and this year’s participants continued that tradition with compelling, thought-provoking work.
Zontiga extends its heartfelt congratulations to the 20th edition’s workshop participants—a diverse and talented group of emerging photographers who have spent an intensive week refining their storytelling skills under the mentorship of renowned industry professionals. Their dedication, creativity, and unique perspectives are a testament to the festival’s enduring impact on photography in the region.
Each year, the workshop produces a final night slideshow, showcasing the participants’ projects—a highlight of the festival that demonstrates the power of photography to engage, challenge, and inspire. Seeing the fresh voices and innovative approaches in this year’s cohort reaffirmed the importance of platforms like Angkor Photo Festival in shaping the future of the medium.
Zontiga’s Role: Bridging Books, Images, and Conversations
As Zontiga continues to expand its role in the Southeast Asian photography ecosystem, the trip to Angkor Photo Festival was an opportunity to deepen connections with photographers, publishers, and curators. The focus was on exploring new publications, curating potential additions to Zontiga’s collection, and engaging in discussions about the role of photobooks in contemporary storytelling.
Among the highlights of Zontiga’s visit:
- Photobook Exchange & Discussions – Meeting independent publishers and photographers who are using books as a medium to extend the life of their work.
- Engaging with Southeast Asian Photographers – Discovering new voices and perspectives that might shape future collaborations, exhibitions, or book projects.
- Exploring the Evolving Landscape of Visual Narratives – witnessed how photography is responding to issues like climate change, displacement, and evolving cultural identities in Asia.
Looking Ahead: Inspiration for Zontiga’s Future
The energy and insight gained from Angkor Photo Festival 2025 will undoubtedly influence Zontiga’s future curations, collaborations, and book selections. As the festival celebrated its 20th anniversary, it also signified a moment of reflection—on the power of images, the importance of independent publishing, and the role of platforms like Zontiga in keeping these narratives alive.
With new ideas and potential partnerships in mind, Zontiga returns to Kuala Lumpur, ready to further its mission: to be not just a film lab and bookstore, but a hub where photography, storytelling, and community converge.