Mohamed Somji

TO MAKE IN A TIME LIKE THIS is now open. A new guest-reviewed open call from PLATFORM 2020 for photographers and visual storytellers responding to what it means to keep making when the ground beneath you feels uncertain. This is not only a call about conflict as event. It is also about pressure, grief, instability, interruption and the question of how we continue to make from within the conditions shaping our lives. We are looking for work that is culturally rooted, politically awake and socially and economically grounded: work that feels necessary. Guest-reviewed by @daliakhamissy , @msomji , @amak_mahmoodian and @laura_el_tantawy 5-8 images Short written response Deadline: June 14, 2026 Open now. Apply via photoplatform2020.com #PhotographyOpenCall #DocumentaryPhotography #VisualStorytelling #AfricaSWANA

⁨ ⁨ ‎نسعد في الدورة الحالية من مهرجان ريل فلسطين أن نعرض فيلم المخرجة سابيده فارسي "ضع روحك على يدك وامشِ"، الذي يوثّق شهادات المصوّرة الصحفية والشاعرة الفلسطينية فاطمة حسونة قبل رحيلها عن عالمنا. لحظاتٌ سجّلتها المخرجة عبر مكالمات فيديو، تكشف الكثير عن المصوّرة الراحلة وعن تفاصيل الحياة اليومية أثناء الحرب، بما تحمله من أمل وخوف وحب وإصرار على البقاء. ‎يعقب العرض مناقشة مباشرة مع المخرجة. We are delighted, in this year’s edition of Reel Palestine, to present filmmaker ‪‪@sepideh_farsi_ ‬‬’s Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk, which captures the testimony of Palestinian photojournalist and poet Fatma Hassouna before her passing. Recorded through video calls, these moments reveal so much about Hassouna and about daily life during war—its hope and fear, its love, and its determination to endure. Catch the live Q&A with the director will follow the screening on JAN 24, moderated by @msomji 🎤 #followusintothedark #ReelPalestine⁩⁩

Last Saturday in London, we gathered at Oxford House for the launch of ‘Landing’ by Maen Hammad (@maenster ) — a poignant look at Palestinian skateboarders whose movement becomes an act of resistance and freedom. In conversation with @dalia.aldu , @msomji , and the British Journal of Photography (@bjp.1854 ), Maen shared how skateboarding becomes more than sport, it’s a means of survival, and expression as defiance. Thanks to everyone who joined us and to @huwawabooks for bringing ‘Landing’ to life, a powerful testament to storytelling that challenges and redefines narratives from the Arab world. Photos by @photobomb__16 (pls follow him and support his work)

When every street is occupied ground, movement itself becomes resistance.⁠ ⁠ In Landing, Maen Hammad turns his lens on Palestinian skateboarders finding escape and expression through motion: a quiet act of defiance and survival.⁠ ⁠ 📅 Date: Friday, 1 November⁠ 🕓 Time: 4:00 PM⁠ 📍 Location: Oxford House, Bethnal Green, London⁠ ⁠ Join Maen Hammad, Dalia Al-Dujaili (@dalia.aldu ) and Mohamed Somji (@msomji ) for a conversation and book launch presented by British Journal of Photography and @gulfphotoplus .⁠ ⁠ Limited copies of Landing will be available on the night, published by Huwawa Books (@huwawabooks ), a new artist-led publisher amplifying counternarratives from the Arab world.⁠ ⁠ 📷 @maenster

📖 BOOK LAUNCH & CONVERSATIONS Tiger’s Eye by Heba Khalifa Join us this Friday, October 24 at 6:00 PM, at B7L9, for the launch of Tiger’s Eye by @hebakhalifa_77 , followed by two roundtables moderated by @msomji . The conversations will feature Moez Akkari (@bao_books ), @madameghorbelle , @ziedbromdhane , @roisaade , @tamarabdul , and Heba Khalifa. 🎟️ Sign up through the link in bio.

What does freedom look like when the ground beneath you is occupied?⁠ ⁠ In Landing, Maen Hammad (@maenster ) captures Palestinian skateboarders carving fleeting moments of resistance and escape on their boards - an act of defiance, of imagination, of life itself.⁠ ⁠ Join us for the book launch and conversation with Maen, hosted by Dalia Al-Dujaili (@dalia.aldu ) and Mohamed Somji (@msomji ), on 1 Nov, 4pm at Oxford House, Bethnal Green.⁠ ⁠ Presented by British Journal of Photography (@1854.media ) and Gulf Photo Plus (@gulfphotoplus ) ⁠ ⁠ Limited copies of Maen’s book will be available on the evening. Landing is published by , published by Huwawa Books (@huwawabooks ) - a new artist-led publisher amplifying counternarratives from the Arab world.⁠ ⁠ 📷️: @maenster ⁠

Another update for you on our progress at the 𝗣𝗮𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗻𝘁 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺 — where we’re selling images from Palestinian artists alongside works by @magnumphotos photographers, with all proceeds benefitting the Palestinian image-makers documenting the ongoing genocide.   At the time of writing, we have sold 333 prints, 85% of which are from artists from Gaza or the West Bank, and we’ll soon begin shipping to 28 countries across the globe.   The sale ends on October 12 — there is still time to purchase a print, either for yourself or as a gift for a loved one, and send 100% of the proceeds to brave image-makers in need.   Please take a look at the collection, and share this far and wide! /ppp

A print sale can feel futile while the corpses pile up in Gaza but it is a source of material support for artists in Gaza and the West Bank who are enduring this jen-o-cide and oppression. Another aim is to amplify and center their work so please consider supporting them by buying a print for you or as gifts for your friends + family. There are some beautiful prints that have been made with care and love and some during a jen-ocide. And thanks to many of the conscientious members of @magnumphotos in solidarity. And if you can’t buy one, please share the word - hit me up to get assets and please reshare or post or share in your private networks. Links to sale in highlights or go to gulfphotoplus.com/ppp @fotofestiwal @krisceee @mafaldaruao

#Fotofestiwal2025 15.06 / Art_Inkubator, Tymienieckiego 3 @art_inkubator @fabryka_sztuki Spotkanie: Pozwolenie na narrację. W kontekście fotografii palestyńskiej // Meeting: Permission to Narrate: Focus on Palestinian photography @maenster @msomji @krisceee @ffipp_poland @drgabormatepoland 🤝 → Łódź: @kochamlodz , Łódzkie Centrum Wydarzeń: @lodzkiecentrumwydarzen , Ministerstwo Kultury i Dziedzictwa Narodowego: @mkidn_gov_pl 📷: Łukasz Szeląg @lukasz_szelag #Fotofestiwal #Fotofestiwal2025 #FotofestiwalŁódź #FotofestiwalLodz #Lodz #Łódź #KochamLodz #KochamŁódź #LodzkieCentrumWydarzen #ŁódzkieCentrumWydarzeń #MinisterstwoKulturyIDziedzictwaNarodowego #MKiDN #MinistryOfCultureAndNationalHeritage

#Fotofestiwal2025 15.06 / Art_Inkubator, Tymienieckiego 3 @art_inkubator @fabryka_sztuki Spotkanie: Pozwolenie na narrację. W kontekście fotografii palestyńskiej // Meeting: Permission to Narrate: Focus on Palestinian photography @maenster @msomji @krisceee @ffipp_poland @drgabormatepoland 🤝 → Łódź: @kochamlodz , Łódzkie Centrum Wydarzeń: @lodzkiecentrumwydarzen , Ministerstwo Kultury i Dziedzictwa Narodowego: @mkidn_gov_pl 📷: Łukasz Szeląg @lukasz_szelag #Fotofestiwal #Fotofestiwal2025 #FotofestiwalŁódź #FotofestiwalLodz #Lodz #Łódź #KochamLodz #KochamŁódź #LodzkieCentrumWydarzen #ŁódzkieCentrumWydarzeń #MinisterstwoKulturyIDziedzictwaNarodowego #MKiDN #MinistryOfCultureAndNationalHeritage

𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗘 𝗦𝗖𝗥𝗘𝗘𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚 + 𝗔𝗥𝗧𝗜𝗦𝗧 𝗤&𝗔 𝙇𝙚𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙤 𝙖 𝙁𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙙 by @emilyjacir , brought to you by @gulfphotoplus , @cinemaakil , and @alserkalavenue 🗓️ Wed, May 28 ⏰ 7.30PM 📍 Cinema Akil, Alserkal Avenue This screening forms part of the public programming for “A Memorial in Fragments” — a Gulf Photo Plus exhibition of photographs by the late Majd Arandas. The film in many ways invites reflection on the role of the camera—whether a smartphone, DSLR, or surveillance lens—as more than a passive witness. In both Jacir’s film and Majd’s imagery, the lens becomes a conduit for testimony, resistance, and the meticulous documentation of erasure and presence.   Majd Arandas, was killed by an Israeli airstrike near his home in Deir al-Balah in central Gaza on Wednesday, November 1, 2023. Exhibiting his work in 2025, “A Memorial in Fragments” considers the afterlife of images, how they function not just as present-day records but as future testimony. The show presents an extensive body of work produced by Majd throughout his life, by presenting images retrieved by his brother after his tragic death. Registration is mandatory — visit the link in our bio to register now at /film-details/1351/Letter-to-a-Friend

@gulfphotoplus , @safarfilmfestival , and @peckham24photo @bjp1854 are teaming up to present a special edition of Slidefest SAFAR—an evening of powerful visual storytelling spotlighting the spirit of resistance across five countries: Lebanon, Palestine, Syria, Sudan, and Yemen. Bringing together compelling presentations by artists from these regions, the event will reflect on collective struggles and solidarities in the face of oppression, occupation, and injustice, and the ways in which creativity becomes a force for resilience and defiance. Artists that will be presenting work: @fatiimajoumaa @sadiqyhash @hannaharafeh @_abushama @sakirkhader Five photographers will each present their work for seven minutes, followed by a Q&A at the end of presentations, for the audience to ask questions. Tickets are limited and are £5. Follow the link in bio to get more info on the event and sign up.