It will be the first time that Newport, famous throughout the photography world for the legendary Documentary Photography course started in the 1970s by Magnum photographer David Hurn, has hosted the festival.
The festival was established in 2012 by ex-Newport student photojournalist Glenn Edwards with a promise to bring the world’s best photographers to Wales.
Previous editions, which have been held in the Aberystwyth Arts Centre, have featured image makers such as Matt Black, Laura Pannack, Vanley Burke, Abbie Trayler-Smith, Marco Longari, Danilo Balducci and Ian Berry.
“It made sense to bring the festival home to Newport,” said founder Glenn Edwards.
“Three of our speakers at this year’s festival attended the Newport Documentary Photography course. Bringing the festival to Newport reinforces the importance of the course to the many students who graduated from it, and who continue to produce top-class work from around the world.”
What’s on at this year’s festival
The 2026 festival will feature a series of exhibitions, talks and events in venues across the city centre.
The festival opens on the evening of Friday 15 May, with a special event to mark the opening of David Hurn’s exhibition Patterns at Clwb Ffoto in Newport Arcade.
On Saturday 16 May, the Riverfront Theatre and Arts Centre will be hosting a series of talks, featuring:
- Paul Stuart, a portrait photographer who has photographed the likes of David Beckham and Giorgio Armani
- Jaap Buitendijk, one of the world’s foremost film stills photographers, with Gladiator, Barbie, 12 Years a Slave and the recently released Wuthering Heights on his list of credits
- Emily Garthwaite, a photojournalist and storyteller whose work is rooted in long-form, socially engaged immersive projects
Then on Sunday 17 May, events will be hosted around the city centre, including exhibitions, cyanotype workshops, meet the photographers, portfolio crits and portrait sessions.
“Bringing the Eye International Festival to Newport is extremely exciting for the city,” said Councillor Emma Corten, cabinet member for culture and communications.
“The Newport Documentary Photography course is world-renowned for the talent it has produced, and the calibre of speakers and events at this year’s festival are a testament to that.
“We know that Newport is buzzing with culture and creativity, and we’re delighted to be adding yet another brilliant cultural event to our ever-growing calendar.”
