**Maria Abranches**
Ana Maria Jeremias, exhausted, sitting on her employer’s couch after lifting the elderly woman up when she fell to the floor in the Estrela neighborhood. Lisbon, Portugal, 2024

© Maria Abranches, courtesy of Fahey/Klein Gallery, Los Angeles

The Inaugural Inglewood Photography Festival Debuts with Works by Janette Beckman, John Simmons, Frank Jackson, Greg Hatton, and Book Grant Winner Marina Abranches

May 24, 2025 | 234 S Market Street, Inglewood, CA

The Inglewood Photography Festival proudly launches its inaugural edition with exhibitions featuring acclaimed photographers Janette Beckman, John Simmons, Frank Jackson, and Greg Hatton, alongside rising talent Marina Abranches, recipient of the festival’s first annual Book Grant. The main exhibition will take place in a retail space adjacent to the historic Miracle Theater in downtown Inglewood, with a full day of public programming on Saturday, May 24, from 12 PM to 7 PM at 234 S Market Street.

The Inglewood Photography Festival is a celebration of photography in all its forms-an open invitation to experience powerful visual storytelling from artists across generations, styles, and continents. This year’s exhibition offers an opportunity for the Inglewood community and the broader Los Angeles art world to connect with some of the most exciting voices in contemporary photography.

Founded by Amadou Kante and Nicholas Fahey, the festival is rooted in a dual mission: to bring world-class photography into the heart of Inglewood and to create lasting opportunities for image-makers across the globe. The inaugural Book Grant, awarded to Lisbon-based photographer Marina Abranches, provided funding and mentorship to publish her first monograph, Here is Maria, which will be featured in the exhibition.

“We started this festival because we believe access and exposure should never be gatekept,” said co-founder Amadou Kante. “Inglewood is a vibrant, creative city that deserves the highest quality cultural programming. At the same time, we’re building a platform to help emerging photographers from all over the world find a foothold in the fine art world.”

Festival Hours (Saturday, May 24 - 234 S Market Street, Inglewood, CA)

12:00 - 7:00 PM | Exhibitions by - Janette Beckman, John Simmons, Frank Jackson, and Greg Hatton, and Marina Abranches

Theater Programming (Saturday, May 24 - Miracle Theater, 226 S Market Street, Inglewood, CA)

1:00 - 1:15 PM | Opening Presentation - Nicholas Fahey

Welcome to the Festival

- Festival Overview

Book Grant Presentation honoring Maria Abranches

1:15 - 2:00 PM | “In Solidarity” - Michelle Magdalena

A compelling slideshow and artist talk highlighting Indigenous communities on Turtle Island and their fight to reclaim sacred lands.

2:00 - 2:30 PM | Freestyle Photo Lab: DSLR Scanning Demo
Live demonstration on how to digitize film using DSLR and macro lens, hosted by Freestyle Photo Lab.

2:30 - 4:00 PM | Artist Panel Talks - Moderated by Ibarionex Perello (The Candid Frame)

Panel Set 1: 2:30 PM - 3:15 PM

Visual Storytelling and Cultural Memory: The Photographic Legacies of John Simmons and Frank Jackson

This compelling conversation explores how two iconic photographers have used the camera to preserve and shape cultural memory. The discussion will examine their distinct approaches to visual storytelling, the social and historical contexts that have influenced their work, and how their images continue to inspire new generations. Visual examples will accompany the talk, followed by an optional Q&A.

Panel Set 2: 3:15 PM - 4:00 PM

The Power of the Photographic Image in Our Time

This dynamic session explores photography’s unique role in storytelling, shaping identity, and driving social change. Delivered by a photographer, photo editor, or educator, the panel will feature real-world photo examples-projected or printed-to demonstrate how images resonate across personal and collective experience. An optional Q&A will follow.

Featured Artists

- Janette Beckman - British-born, NYC-based photographer of hip hop, punk, and youth subcultures; collections include the Smithsonian.

- John Simmons, ASC - Emmy-winning cinematographer and photographer whose portraits of Black life have been shown at the Getty and the Broad.

- Frank Jackson - Renowned photographer known for his intimate, soulful portraits and elegant black-and-white street photography.

- Greg Hatton - Los Angeles-based artist known for atmospheric images exploring presence and memory.

- Marina Abranches - Lisbon-based photographer and author of Here is Maria, an introspective work on identity and memory.

This festival is made possible with generous support from:
Fahey/Klein Gallery, The Icon, and Freestyle Photo.

Press Contact:
info@inglewoodphotofestival.com