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October 31, 2026 — 5:00am

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This story is part of the October 31 digital edition of Good Weekend. See all stories.

Great photojournalism frequently offers a harrowing glimpse into the calamitous issues affecting our world – climate change, war, human rights, social injustice – but it can also bring quirkiness and humour. Good Weekend photo editor Tegan Sadlier, who was on the selection panel for this year’s Head On Photo Festival, has curated her top five entries from the event’s featured exhibitions, showing during November.

The festival highlights the work of emerging and established local and overseas photographers in 40 featured exhibitions in Sydney, while the Open Program involves artist-run shows in Victoria and around the country.

In his exhibition, “A country underwater: Philippine corruption and climate change”, Michael Varcas documents communities struggling to recover from typhoons: the country faces about 20 every year, with climate change exacerbating their intensity.In his exhibition, “A country underwater: Philippine corruption and climate change”, Michael Varcas documents communities struggling to recover from typhoons: the country faces about 20 every year, with climate change exacerbating their intensity.Michael VarcasThe injustice faced by asylum seekers being deported from New York by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement moves a security guard to tears in Carol Guzy’s exhibition “ICE – Broken Families”.The injustice faced by asylum seekers being deported from New York by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement moves a security guard to tears in Carol Guzy’s exhibition “ICE – Broken Families”.Carol Guzy“My People in Gaza”, by Palestinian photojournalist Abdelrahman Alkahlout, is a visual testimony of the impact of the war on civilians.“My People in Gaza”, by Palestinian photojournalist Abdelrahman Alkahlout, is a visual testimony of the impact of the war on civilians.Abdelrahman AlkahloutTrent Mitchell captures a surreal version of suburbia in his exhibition “Australian Lustre”.Trent Mitchell captures a surreal version of suburbia in his exhibition “Australian Lustre”.Trent MitchellAnna Devís and Daniel Rueda, from Spain, add a touch of whimsy with their series “What the Hat!?”Anna Devís and Daniel Rueda, from Spain, add a touch of whimsy with their series “What the Hat!?”Anna Devís & Daniel Rueda

The Head On Photo Festival is at various locations across Sydney from November 6-29.

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