The 25th Pingyao International Photography Festival is set to take place from Sept 19 to 23 in the ancient city of Pingyao, Shanxi province, with over 5,000 photographers from 34 countries and regions, as well as from 25 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions across China participating.

This year's festival will exhibit more than 20,000 photographs, covering a wide range of categories such as social life, natural landscapes, and conceptual art. Submissions also include over 120 short videos and more than 100 photography books and handmade collections from 117 domestic and international educational institutions.

The festival will continue to uphold its principles of internationalization, professionalism, and diversity. It will include five main sections: exhibitions, evaluations, trade, activities, and educational institutions, covering image creation, market operations, and academic exchanges. The aim is to create a comprehensive platform that integrates art, industry, and academia.

A highlight of this year's event is the upgraded "PIP Curator Training Program", in both Pingyao and Bottrop, Germany, fostering a cross-border curatorial space. The College Photography Education Forum will focus on "VR Virtual Image Scenes" in the context of the intelligent era, offering a new experience that blends real and virtual imagery.

Renowned photographers Stefanie Schneider and Clare Marie Bailey will also participate in the event, exploring and showcasing the allure of Polaroid photography, further enhancing the festival's global influence and cultural diversity.