This, our fifth year, brought world class artists and leading edge developments in the world of photography, here to the heart of Scotland.

Our theme of Stories inspired a programme of events as diverse as home and family, resilience and personal growth, Stirling's history and our built heritage, wildlife and landscapes, the environment and our impact on it, personalities and portraits, poverty and trauma, literature and the visual arts, and sustainable creative practice.

Opening our festival at the Tolbooth Gallery, Street Level Photoworks curated a unique collection of photographs and audio-visual pieces from artists Coulson & Tennant and Helene Schmitz. These works, some originally exhibited at COP 26, together told the tale of our impact on the planet and challenged us to act. Fittingly, we closed with a workshop led by environmental artist Scott Hunter, sharing stories of his own sustainable creative practice, including a demonstration of his revolutionary film processing technique using plant based materials.

Audiences from across Scotland and the globe joined us for in-person events hosted by our partners here in Stirling, and for virtual talks and workshops run over Zoom. Participants, from as far afield as Los Angeles, Ukraine, Pakistan and Sweden were able to connect with us here in Stirling, contributing their ideas and sharing their stories. The closing piece of our Festival is this wonderful book and accompanying exhibition, generously sponsored by our friends at The Barracks

Conference Centre. Thank you to those who have shared your photographs here, creating this wonderfully diverse collection of Stories.

Our Festival was made possible with the support of our loyal partners and generous sponsors and all those who have contributed and participated. As always, there must be a special mention for our Creative Team who have volunteered many hours and worked tirelessly to bring this exceptional Festival to Stirling.

Thank you.

Janie Meikle Bland

Festival Creative Team

Developing Community.…. Developing

Creativity.…. Developing Skills