The inaugural edition of the Dora Maar Film Festival will take place from August 29-31 and feature six documentaries on photography and photographers. The festival is co-founded by Lucy Darwin, producer of Match Point and Lost in La Mancha, and Natasha Bahtia, and is presented with the Dora Maar Cultural Center. The program includes films such as Capturing Lee Miller, directed by Teresa Griffiths, and Ernest Cole: Lost & Found, directed by Oscar nominee Raoul Peck. The festival is named after Dora Maar, a surrealist artist and photographer who lived in Ménerbes for many decades, and will be held at the Maison Dora Maar, an 18th century town house she purchased in 1944.
Frieze Los Angeles Sees Surge in California Art Sales
7.15.25
Frieze New York and Frieze Los Angeles have been attempting to boost the stagnant art market. In 2023, Frieze Los Angeles saw a surge in demand for California artists' work, with collectors snapping up pieces at the fair. A new US art fair has also implemented an innovative contract, allowing visitors to take home art pieces without paying and giving artists control over their rights.
The heirs of a German mosaic's last owner contacted the Carabinieri unit in Rome to return the mosaic to Italy. After verifying its authenticity and origin, authorities successfully repatriated the mosaic in September 2023.
The Guinigi Tower in Tuscany features a unique garden on its roof, designed to symbolize rebirth and renewal. The garden is shaded by holm oak trees native to the Mediterranean region, including Italy. According to legend, Paolo Guinigi, who became lord of Lucca in 1400, planted the tallest tree in the garden before his arrest in 1430. Tragically, the tree lost all its leaves before his death in prison in 1432. From the tower's height, visitors can see the nearby Torre delle Ore, a 160-foot-tall medieval tower.
Northern Ireland Tourism Campaign by BBDO & Lindhorst
7.15.25
Photographer Christopher Lindhorst collaborated with BBDO on a tourism campaign for Northern Ireland. The project involved additional creative input from Laurence Keogh, a copywriter, and Christopher Gore.
Several Oscar contenders are emerging, with Mstyslav Chernov's "2000 Meters to Andriivka" and Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson's "Sly Lives!" gaining attention. Investigative journalist Christo Grosev is also a potential contender in the documentary "Antidote," directed by James Jones and acquired by Frontline. Meanwhile, Brittany Shine's "Seeds" has won numerous awards despite not yet securing distribution, while Geeta Gandbhir's "The Perfect Neighbor" is set to make a strong bid with its Netflix acquisition. Ridley and Wissot predict success for Reid Davenport's sophomore film "Life After."
The return of artifacts to Pompeii's park is seen as a significant change in mentality, with the heirs of its owner signaling a shift away from the "Pompeii curse" superstition. The director notes that many people who have stolen items from the site believe they will experience bad luck or misfortune if they keep them. This has been fueled by tourists returning stolen items and claiming they brought about tragic events, according to park director Zuchtriegel.
Prague's Bubny Station Becomes Holocaust Memorial Site
7.15.25
Construction has begun on Prague's Bubny railway station, which was a key WWII deportation site for Czech Jews, to transform it into a national center for Holocaust remembrance and education. The CZK 187 million project, led by top Czech officials and foreign diplomats, aims to turn the neglected station into a space for reflection, learning, and civic dialogue.
Art Safari's campaign promotes a shift away from excessive phone use during museum visits, encouraging visitors to focus on the artwork rather than capturing it for social media. This aligns with global trends showing people spend more time on their phones (3 hours and 45 minutes daily) than engaging with museums (20 minutes daily).