Inside the 2025 edition of Tasweer Photo Festival Qatar

It is through the lens of a camera that reality unfolds - where unfiltered moments are captured, and the authenticity of life is both reflected and frozen in time. But what if these moments are seen by the eyes of young creatives from a world rish with thousands of stories-  diverse narratives of pain and struggle , yet also of hope and resilience? That  immersive experience offered by the 2025 edition of Tasweer Photo Festival Qatar. This year, the nation’s premier photography biennial launched by Qatar Museums. explores the theme of belonging through eight thoughtfully curated exhibitions across five venues, anchored by the lead showcase, As I Lay Between Two Seas, at the Fire Station: Artist in Residence. The third edition welcomes Meriem Berrada as Artistic Director, alongside guest curators Sheikha Maryam Hassan Al-Thani and Dr. Bahaaeldin Abudaya. We sat down with Meriem Berrada to discuss how the notion of belonging has shaped the festival’s artistic vision, how Tasweer continues to celebrate the richness and diversity of lens-based practices in the region, and why initiatives like this play a vital role in shaping the future of photography in the Arab world.

Tasweer’s 3rd edition theme of “belonging” is explored across the exhibitions in deeply layered and multifaceted ways, reflecting its personal, communal, and political dimensions in our contemporary societies. From the main exhibition As I Lay Between Two Seas, which I had the pleasure of curating, to the Project and Single Image award exhibitions curated by Sheikha Maryam Al Thani, from the monographic exhibition dedicated to Daoud Aoulad Syad to the outdoor show Obliteration—developed in collaboration with the Photo Humanitarian Grant and devoted to Gaza—each exhibition offers a distinct yet interconnected perspective.

The festival highlights different generations of talent from the region, showcasing how questions of identity, memory, and place are being reimagined. Daoud Aoulad Syad’s first solo exhibition in the region offers an introspective and personal lens on Moroccan culture and landscape, while Obliteration, curated by Dr. Bahaa Abudaya, unfolds in five outdoor stages—each capturing the escalating horrors of the war on Gaza since October 7. Gaza, long a symbol of resilience and injustice within the Arab and Muslim worlds, now resonates on a global scale—not only due to the humanitarian crisis, but also as a reflection of contemporary colonial dynamics that, in turn, provoke a powerful sense of belonging.

Other exhibitions, such as After the Game, curated by Khalifa Al Obaidly, draw on the emotional and unifying power of football to explore shared experiences and aspirations. Across the festival, the 88 artists reframe narratives of displacement and migration, moving beyond clichés to offer more nuanced and poetic perspectives on movement, memory, and rootedness. Together, these exhibitions form a rich, collective meditation on what it means to belong in today’s world.

 In curating As I Lay Between Two Seas, I wanted to explore what it means to belong through lens-based practices in our region today. The selection of the 25 artists was guided by a desire to reflect the diversity of forms and approaches they use to express evolving identities, how they reclaim their own narratives and reappropriate their modes of representation.

It was important to me to include a wide range of photographic practices, from documentary to conceptual work, and to highlight different mediums and materialities, whether traditional photography, archival assemblages, video, or installation. Each artist brings a distinct voice and visual language, yet together, their works form a collective reflection on identity as something fluid, constructed, and constantly in motion. I wanted the exhibition to embody not just a variety of aesthetics, but also a plurality of possible ways of seeing, remembering, and belonging.

I don’t believe we can draw a clear line between artists based on where they currently live. What unites them is a strong connection to the Arab world—some were born here and later left, others were born abroad and are tracing the paths of return, and some continue to navigate life between multiple places.

What’s particularly compelling are the trajectories of artists whose experiences of displacement or distance unfold entirely within the Arab world itself. Take, for example, Ali Al Shehabi, who is originally from Bahrain but grew up in the UAE and only discovered his country of origin at the age of 26. His experience offers a unique perspective—of belonging to a place he comes from, yet is encountering for the first time. His photographic series As I Lay Between Two Seas, which lends its title to the entire exhibition, captures that moment of discovery and in-betweenness in a profoundly poetic way.

Ultimately, what emerged across the works was not a contrast between those based in the region and those in the diaspora, but rather a shared engagement with layered identities, inherited memories, and the ongoing process of making sense of where—and how—they belong.

By providing artists with the opportunity to bring their projects to life, Tasweer Awards naturally help structure the photography scene and increase access for new talents. Beyond financial support, the award offers recognition that can help emerging photographers gain visibility, confidence, and momentum in their creative journey. It also enables the identification and nurturing of new voices—particularly those who are underrepresented or less visible—by supporting them throughout their creative process.

In 2024, the majority of submissions came from Egypt, Morocco, and Qatar. While this reflects strong engagement in these countries, we hope to expand our reach to photographers across the region who may require greater support and visibility. In future editions, Tasweer aims to offer not only financial support, but also mentorship, professional development, and the networking opportunities that are essential for building a sustainable career.

We are equally committed to fostering stronger collaborations within the region by connecting with existing, impactful initiatives. Finally, one of the key gaps we have identified lies in the realm of publishing. In response, we are exploring ways to help artists share their work more widely through publishing opportunities—an important step in ensuring their voices can resonate across borders and generations.

The third edition of Tasweer Photo Festival Qatar showcases photographers from West Asia and North Africa through exhibitions including "Daoud Aoulad Syad, Territories of the Instant," "Obliteration—Surviving the Inferno: Gaza's Battle for Existence," and two awards exhibitions featuring winners from the 2023 and 2024 Tasweer Awards.

The festival also offers symposia, masterclasses, and workshops for photographers. All exhibitions run April 20 through June 20, 2025, except "Daoud Aoulad Syad" at Mathaf, which continues until July 10.