IATP (International Association of Theater Photographers) was officially launched at the Shakespeare Festival in Craiova
The International Association of Theater Photographers (IATP / AIFT) has officially launched at the International Shakespeare Festival in Craiova (May 19-29, 2022).
On this occasion, part of the team of founding members was present. Among them are Florin Ghioca (IATP President, photographer of the National Theater in Bucharest), Adrian Pîclișan (founding vice president, photographer of the National Theater in Timișoara) and Maria Ștefănescu (founding member of IATP, collaborator of several theaters in Romania). The three are joined by photographers from 23 countries (including France, Italy, United Kingdom, United States, Greece, Poland, Sweden, Belgium, Bulgaria, Moldova, Spain, Iran, etc.).
IATP is a NGO whose primary purpose is to introduce the profession of theater photographer in ISCO (International Standard Classification of Occupations), the official recognition of this function, as well as the organization of workshops, masterclasses and collective exhibitions of theater photographers, offering scholarships and organizing exchanges of experiences, editing theater photography albums and awarding the best theater photographs in the world. IATP also aims to digitize photo archives in theaters, as well as promote photo projects made by members of the association.
Emil Boroghină, founder of the “International Shakespeare Festival” in Craiova and Vice President of the European Network of Shakespeare Festivals, welcomed the launch of the International Association of Theater Photographers: „It is an honor for us to host you. As the founder of this festival and a member of the management team, I am very happy, because we will need you and it is very good that through a contract with the International Shakespeare Festival you will immortalize these performances and the ones we will bring, especially as we strive to present important productions to the public. So you will have something to photograph “, said Emil Boroghină.
Vlad Drăgulescu, the Artistic Director of the “Marin Sorescu” National Theater, said on this occasion: „It is a branch that is associated with our work and most of the time it beautifies our work and brings people closer to the theater. The service that these artists do to us is underestimated by us. I thank all the photographers who made the theater more beautiful through their images and attracted people to see our shows thanks to their mastery and art. We are honored that this launch takes place inside our festival “, said Vlad Drăgulescu”.
The founding president of IATP, photographer Florin Ghioca, stated on this occasion that the International Association of Theater Photographers was formed in Romania, but has a steering committee made up of photographers from several countries. In addition, more and more theater photographers around the world are signing up and presenting their intentions to collaborate.
„For this release, we chose the Shakespeare Festival not by chance, because here are always big names of world theater, actors that both we and our colleagues photographed on stage and promoted through our images in the world. We will soon announce all the intentions of the IATP, in addition to collaborations with international theater associations – be they critics, directors or set designers – including the first projects we will all support. Currently, 56 photographers from 23 countries are registered, but their number is increasing day by day. However, IATP membership will certainly be a guarantee of the quality of the work of that member, as we are not interested in the number of those enrolled in the association, but in their professionalism, competence and experience. In IATP there will be only professional photographers, permanent collaborators of the theaters “, specified Florin Ghioca, IATP president.
More details about the International Association of Theater Photographers (IATP) and its objectives will be presented soon on the association’s website, www.iatp.photo.
Photo credits: Bogdan Dănescu (IATP)