PONTON PHOTO FESTIVAL

“The encounter between Art and the Public”

Founded in 2025 by Congolese photographer and visual artist Robert Nzaou, the Ponton Photo Festival is an initiative led by the Pemba Art Association. This innovative cultural project aims to make visual arts accessible to everyone while promoting contemporary African creativity.

By transforming the streets, gardens, and beaches of Pointe-Noire into open-air art galleries, the Ponton Photo Festival invites the public to experience art within the city’s daily life. The event builds a genuine bridge between artists and the community, turning the urban space into a venue for encounter, dialogue, and discovery.

Supported by the French Institute of Congo and the City of Pointe-Noire, the festival offers an inclusive and participatory program, open to all generations. It is quickly establishing itself as a major cultural event for photography and visual arts in Congo..

Vision
To make photography a shared cultural language that fosters reflection, social connection, and community pride.

Mission

Bring art into public spaces, making it accessible to everyone.
Highlight Congolese photographers and visual storytellers.
Encourage intergenerational and intercultural dialogue.
Promote Pointe-Noire as a creative, inclusive, and vibrant city.

The Photo Ponton Festival stands out for its concept of open-air exhibitions, taking over streets, roundabouts, beaches, and public squares. This approach brings photography into the daily lives of residents and reaches a diverse audience.

By stepping outside traditional galleries, the festival removes barriers between art and everyday life. Ordinary places thus become spaces for creation, contemplation, and cultural dialogue..