A leading UK photography festival has opened in Leicester for the first time

A leading UK photography festival has landed in Leicester for the first time.

FORMAT is a contemporary photography festival that was established in Derby in 2004.

It organises a year-round programme of international commissions, open calls, residencies, conferences and collaborations, both in the UK and internationally.

The festival has now opened for the first time in Leicester, at LCB Depot in the Cultural Quarter .

The creative hub put out an open call to FE and HE students working in photography across the city and county to respond to the the festival theme 'FOREVER//NOW'.

From more than 300 submissions, a panel of photography professionals selected 22 pieces that showcase some of the very best work being made by students from across Leicester and Leicestershire .

The exhibition features the work of students from De Montfort University, Leicester College, Gateway College, Loughborough University, Loughborough College, North Warwickshire and Hinckley College.

Chris Slowe, project coordinator at LCB Depot, said: "We're really excited to be involved in such a highly regarded festival.

"For young people to be able to able to say that they've been involved in FORMAT at the beginning of their careers is fantastic, as it's recognised across the world in the photography community."

FORMAT19 runs at LCB Depot in Leicester city centre from Friday March 15 to Saturday April 13.

LCB Depot is open from 9am - 5.30pm on weekdays, plus during their events including Last Friday on March 29 and Easy Saturday on April 13.

The festival also runs from March 14 - April 15 at venues around Derby, along with another satellite venue in Nottingham.

To find out more about what's on in the city and county visit our dedicated Facebook page, What's On Leicestershire.

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