The festival's success, to a great degree, is a result of the open call for exhibitions and this continues to provide an invaluable opportunity for emerging artists to contribute unexpected and memorable encounters with photography throughout the city, alongside leading professionals. Since 2002, curated programming and special events are a central focus of development. This includes our primary exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art, high-profile public installations, feature exhibitions, an international lecture series, a film program in partnership with the National Film Board, portfolio reviews and workshops. Through the ongoing development of the festival into a leading proponent of photography, we increase exposure and recognition for local, Canadian and international artists. CONTACT is committed to advancing knowledge, creativity and innovation in photography.

We are very grateful for the continued support of Hewlett-Packard (Canada) Co., our premier sponsor and our partner in the presentation of public installations of photography throughout the city. Our gratitude also goes to Scotiabank for their sponsorship of our primary exhibition at MOCCA and the new Scotiabank Scholarship and Prize. Thanks also to Tourism Toronto, The National Gallery of Canada and our official media partners, enRoute Magazine, Fashion Television and The Toronto Star - for their continuing support of our activities.

Our gratitude goes out to everyone involved in CONTACT 2008, including venues, funding agencies, corporate sponsors, advertisers, education and exhibition partners, CONTACT's board of directors, staff and volunteers and, especially, all the artists and photographers whose vision helps us better understand our world.