FotoWeekDC kicks off next week and they’re bringing you some impressive programming!

But, we hear you – what the hell is FotoWeekDC?

With 150 events and exhibitions, and in its 10th year FotoWeekDC, is the District’s biggest visual arts event of the year! Get ready for: photos, openings, nighttime projections, film and more going during the week of November 11-19 (+ sweet, sweet opening party on November 10th, presented by BYT).

Now, with 120+ events happening, we know it can be a little overwhelming, but that is the beauty of it all.

Some basics you need to know to make it through it all (mostly) alive:

• The only website that truly matters and is updated 24/7 with new events etc is FotoDC.org
• Fotoweek happens ALL OVER TOWN (for partners and locations which range from Holocaust Museum to National Gallery of Art to independent galleries, hotels and The Smithsonian itself, click here) and most events are free and open to the public, but we encourage you to give a donation at FotoWeekCentral locations if you can.

• All the events are separated into the following categories:

EXHIBITIONS / FOTO EDU / FOTOFILM / FOTOWEEKCENTRAL / FOTOGEORGETOWN

First Things First:

• Opening night party is on November 10th. This is the one fundraiser the Festival does every year so come out and support. Open bars, first look at some great exhibitions, Ayes Cold DJing, beautiful people and all that in the enchanting setting of the Former Spanish Ambassador’s Residence and Mexican Cultural Institute. Get your tickets here. (Price goes up the week of and then day of the event) Use code FotoFiesta for $10 off too!

• Exhibitions: The two big shows not to miss are Magnum’s 70 at 70 at FotoWeekCentral and World Press Photo at Dupont Underground. But, make sure to be on the look-out for all sorts of amazing smaller shows: Flashes from the Underground is dedicated to nightlife photography of the 80s and 90s, Black Dolls project re-examines race and gender in a gourgeous but unsettling setting, and local organizations like Women Photojournalists of Washington and White House Photographer’s association are showing at FotoGeorgetown. Over 30 different exhibitions are planned (With receptions and parties attached to most, so get your wine and cheese mood on!)

• Talks: The best part of the festival is the opportunity to check out and meet the photographers. We recommend starting your opening weekend with our FotoTalks on Nov 11th and 12th which showcase work both by local and nationally recognized storytellers.

• FotoFilm: Everyone from SUNS Cinema to National Gallery of Art to Hirshhorn is showing free or almost free films about AND BY photographer. Plus, an opportunity to meet Arthur Jafa, the man behind Beyonce’s Formation video.

• Get Really Good At Instagram: A Creative DC folks are leading a digital curation workshop and our friends at IGDC are hosting their annual show too. Plus: portfolio reviews, food and floral styling workshops and more, for all levels of skill. Keep an eye on FotoEdu section for more of these.

• Nighttime Projections: Make sure to stop by the Holocaust museum for our annual, powerful Our Walls Bear Witness projection exhibitions

And all of that is just the tip of the iceberg! Check out fotodc.org all the time, sign up for the newsletters and follow FotoDC at @fotoweekdc across social media for more updates.