In Focus Festival lights up photography in Maribyrnong this April

Published on 02 April 2026

In-Focus-Festival.jpg

Maribyrnong City Council will present the inaugural In Focus Festival, a six-week outdoor photography event transforming Footscray and Yarraville into a vibrant openair exhibition from 21 April to 31 May.

Celebrating the power of images to connect, provoke and inspire, In Focus celebrates the medium of photography across ten public sites, with 42 artworks presented in the public realm 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 Yohannes 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 14 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 our broader Footscray revitalisation program.

Program highlights

The 2026 program features a rich series of events for all ages, including:

  • 1950s Photo Booth Launch and Screening of Back to the Future – 30 April, 5:30pm at the Sun Theatre, Yarraville
  • 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 include photography collaging and time capsule workshops at local libraries, alongside youth-led programming at Phoenix Youth Hub.

Event details

In Focus Festival
21 April – 31 May 2026
Various locations throughout Footscray and Yarraville
maribyrnong.vic.gov.au/infocus

Maribyrnong News

Stay up-to-date with the latest news by subscribing to our eNews

Photo of artwork by Nicole Reed

Tagged as:
Back to top