Head On Photo Festival

Venue: Sydney – Bondi Pavilion and various
Location: Sydney – Bondi Pavilion and various
9 Nov - 1 Dec, 2024
Web: https://headon.org.au/

Head On Foundation is Australia’s premier non-profit organisation for photography, producing the esteemed annual Head On Photo Festival in Sydney and a year-round program of events and collaborative projects.

Celebrating all photography forms, the Festival draws over 400,000 visits, featuring 900+ Australian and international photographers in innovative exhibitions in galleries, public outdoor spaces, cafes, and projections. It’s a hub for emerging and established talent, fostering innovation via exhibits, conversations, workshops, and collaborations. Central to the Festival are the Head On Photo Awards across three categories; the Foundation has given awards worth $800,000+. The Festival works with international festivals and organisations and regularly tours worldwide.

Head On Foundation also produces a comprehensive yearly public and educational program of hybrid workshops, seminars, talks, reviews and collaborative projects.

Upcoming Events Submit an Event

November

William Yang’s Mardi Gras

Canberra: This collection-in-focus display highlights William Yang’s photography of Sydney Mardi Gras festivals between 1981 and 2003.

Parkes Place Canberra ACT 2600 The National Library of Australia – Treasures Gallery | 1 Nov - 1 Dec, 2024

New Light: Photography Now + Then

Brisbane: Until 13 July 2025. Amateur Brisbane photographer Alfred Henrie Elliott (1870-1954) extraordinary images lay dormant for decades until they were discovered only recently. This exhibition is curated by seven Brisbane photographers.

Level 3, Brisbane City Hall King George Square, Brisbane 4000 Museum of Brisbane. Level 3 City Hall. | 1 Nov, 2024 - 13 Jul, 2025

Max Dupain: Student Life

Sydney: The photographs in Max Dupain: Student Life were taken at the University of Sydney in the early 1950s, a period of rapid change marked by the politics of the Cold War.

Level 4, Chau Chak Wing Museum, University of Sydney, University Place, Camperdown Level 4, Chau Chak Wing Museum | 1 Nov, 2024 - 29 Jun, 2025

Layers of the Kaleidoscope Qween book launch and exhibition

Sydney: Chrissie Hall specialises in advertising, fashion, portraiture and social documentary. Join Chrissie for her 2nd book launch and exhibition at Lunar Studios in Alexandria on Thursday, November 14th from 6:30-8:30 pm.

Lunar Studios 42 Maddox St Alexandria Lunar Studios 42 Maddox St Alexandria | 14 Nov - 28 Nov, 2024

Henry Roy - Impossible Island

Perth: Until 18 May 2025. Henry Roy – Impossible Island draws on 40-years of recollections and observations as it brings together 113 photos taken from 1983 to 2023.

Perth Cultural Centre, Perth The Art Gallery of Western Australia | 30 Nov, 2024 - 18 May, 2025

Photo Fair #2 at Queensland Centre for Photography

Brisbane: The Photo Fair #2 is a community event to sell, swap, and showcase photographic works on November 30 and December 1, 2024. 10am - 4pm

6 Maud St, Newstead, Brisbane, QLD 4006 Queensland Centre for Photography | 30 Nov - 1 Dec, 2024

Focal / Vocal

Melbourne: 30/11– 15/12. Focal/Vocal showcases the photographic talents of 7 graduates who use the medium of photography for the exploration of the human condition.

117 Vere Street, Abbotsford, Yarra Sculpture Gallery | 30 Nov - 15 Dec, 2024

December

Southern Sky Astrophotography Exhibition

Sydney: 5 December – 1 February. Photofields presents the Southern Sky Astrophotography 2024 exhibition, the 20th edition of the David Malin Awards.

1003 Upper Fort Street, Millers Point NSW 2000 Sydney Observatory | 5 Dec, 2024 - 1 Feb, 2025

Sydney Observatory Free Photofields Tours

Sydney: 6 & 7 December. Special-edition free tours of Sydney Observatory will explore the site's history of photographic observation.

Sydney Observatory 1003 Upper Fort Street, Millers Point NSW 2000 Sydney Observatory | 6 Dec - 7 Dec, 2024

Narelle Autio and Trent Parke In Conversation

Sydney: One off event. 6 December. In this conversation, they expand on their photographic trajectories: from years shared under the stars in the Australian outback, to Autio's studies of the undersea world and Parke's most recent work inspired by NASA’s Golden Record.

47–53 Wentworth Ave, Sydney NSW 2000 Ace Hotel Sydney | 6 Dec, 2024