The inaugural In Focus Festival, a six-week outdoor photography event transforming Footscray and Yarraville into a vibrant openair exhibition, is currently on until the end of May.
Presented by Maribyrnong City Council, the Festival celebrates the power of images to connect, provoke and inspire, with over 40 photographs being exhibited across ten public sites via billboards, lightboxes and temporary structures.
The Festival brings together an impressive lineup of acclaimed and emerging photographers, including Atong Atem, Simon Terrill, Spencer Nguyen, Nicole Reed, Marcelle Bradbeer, Wenmiao Xin, and Daniel Temesgen, with works spanning portraiture, documentary, landscapes, diaspora narratives and community focused practice.
Presented entirely outdoors and free for all, In Focus invites locals and visitors from across Melbourne to explore striking large-scale artworks.
The Festival is accompanied by The Art of Observation, a photography exhibition currently taking place at the Civic Precinct and Community Hub, featuring 15 artists throughout the historic Footscray Town Hall.
There is something for everyone during the festival from workshops for young people to inspirational talks by artists or the opportunity to take your own black and white photo in a vintage photo booth.
Mayor, Cr Mohamed Semra, said the In Focus Festival is a powerful celebration of the creativity, diversity and stories that make our City unique.
“By transforming our streets and public spaces into an open-air exhibition, this Festival not only brings world-class art directly to our community, but also strengthens our City as a vibrant cultural destination. We’re proud to champion local artists, support our traders, and invite people from across Melbourne to experience the energy and creativity of the West,” Mayor Semra said.
In Focus forms part of Council’s commitment to embedding creativity into public life, and broader Footscray revitalisation program.
Program highlights
The 2026 program features a rich series of events for all ages, including:
- Twilight Tours with the Festival Curator – 7 May (6pm), 13 May (4pm, Families Week) and 30 May (5pm) at Footscray Station forecourt
- The Last Supper: A yarn with Jody Haines – Saturday 9 May, 2pm at the Civic Precinct and Community Hub
- Creative activities for young people
- Capture your own moment in time at the rare vintage photo booth, restored by Metro Auto Photo, outside the Sun Theatre Yarraville.
Visit Council’s website for full details: maribyrnong.vic.gov.au/infocus
