A news conference for the 20th Pingyao International Photography Festival takes place in the Ancient City of Pingyao, Aug 19. [Photo/pingyao.gov.cn]

The 20th Pingyao International Photography Festival will be held in the Ancient City of Pingyao in North China's Shanxi province on Sept 19-25, according to a recent news conference. 

This year's festival is being sponsored by the Publicity Department of CPC Shanxi Committee, the Shanxi Department of Culture and Tourism and the municipal government of Jinzhong city. 

It is being organized by Pingyao county's government and Pingyao Ancient City International Photography Festival Co. 

Themed around having a happy life and mutual support, this year's international photography event consists of three sections – exhibition, trading and an awards selection. The display section will include special exhibitions, academic exhibitions, and school exhibitions and is arranged in three categories of social life, artistic concepts and natural scenery. 

More than 2,400 photographers from 27 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions in China, 17 countries including Russia and Germany and 75 photography academies will display over 14,000 pictures during the festival.