Art Jameel and Gulf Photo Plus launch the first Saudi edition of the popular photographers’ event GPP Slidefest

• The event aims to encourage young and emerging photographers in the region to learn, experiment and express their ideas creatively
• Hugely popular in the UAE, GPP Slidefest is a tried-and-tested format that draws in mass audiences of photographers and enthusiasts
• GPP Slidefest is part of Photography Jameel’s autumn programme 2018

Art Jameel, the independent organisation that supports arts, education and heritage in the Middle East, is presenting the first Saudi edition of GPP Slidefest in Jeddah on November 1 at Athr Gallery. The evening is held in partnership with Gulf Photo Plus (GPP), the renowned photographic organisation based in Dubai, UAE.

The evening event, part of Photography Jameel’s autumn programme, features six regional photographers presenting recent projects followed by feedback and discussion with the audience.

With the aim of offering photographers, from budding to more established, to showcase recent projects to an engaged audience, share ideas, and hopefully spark future projects from audience members, GPP Slidefest features celebrated photographers Tasneem Alsultan, Nasreen Shaikh, Jamal Al Lail, Moath Alofi and Saad Tahaitah from Saudi Arabia, and Ammar Al Attar from United Arab Emirates.

Photography Jameel focusses on year-round learning and community development with workshops, portfolio reviews, talks and more. With the aim of nurturing the grassroots movement in Saudi Arabia, the programmes provide opportunities for photographers and artists to share experiences and techniques, plus access to expertise and networks.

Antonia Carver, Director of Art Jameel, commented, “Photography Jameel’s autumn 2018 programme includes events across Saudi Arabia, including skills development workshops with Waleed Marhoum in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Khobar, plus the debut of GPP Slidefest, in Jeddah. We’re delighted to be partnering with Gulf Photo Plus to bring Slidefest to Saudi -- this is a real celebration of the art of photography, plus an opportunity for audiences to access expertise, hear stories and be inspired.”

Photography Jameel was launched in 2017 to build on the momentum of the Art Jameel Photography Award (AJPA) that ran between 2010 and 2016. The prize attracted more than 3000 participants – an indication of the interest in and enthusiasm for photography in the Kingdom.

On this occasion, Mohamed Somji, Director of Gulf Photo Plus said: “Slidefest offers a platform for photographers to share work in an informal setting with an aim to inspire and engage its audience. In some ways, sharing a project to a live audience can be even more powerful than an exhibition, as it gives the photographer a chance to test out an idea or an approach to their subject. “

Love images, seeking photographic inspiration and advice? GPP Slidefest Jeddah is free and open to all!

Taking place for the first time in Jeddah, Slidefest is an inspirational evening of talks by five established photographers from the Gulf.