photography festival in Barcelona 2025
photography events in Barcelona
international photography festival
Barcelona photography event July 2025
1st Meeting
INTERNATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY FESTIVALS
© Emily Akil
© Emanuele Occhipinti
© Grzegorz Wełnicki
The International Photography Festivals Association (IPFA) aspires to be a global network uniting more than 700 photography festivals existing in the world. Our goal is to establish this association to foster collaboration, innovation, and professionalization within the photography festival community. This initiative aims to provide a platform where directors, curators, producers, and artists can elevate their festivals through networking, knowledge sharing and best practices. Our goal is to create an inclusive and horizontal event where all photography and photobook festivals and fairs are invited to participate, from the most emerging to the most established and well-established.
About the Meeting
Save the place and the date of our upcoming event: Barcelona, July 4-6, 2025! The 1st International Meeting of Photography Festivals will mark a significant milestone for photography festivals worldwide. This pioneering event will gather festival professionals from all corners of the globe to engage in thought-provoking networking and professional workshops and panels, address pressing industry challenges, and share best practices. With a focus on collaboration, participants will have the opportunity to build meaningful partnerships and inspire new ideas.
This event will be a defining moment setting forth the vision and mission to support a more sustainable, inclusive, and innovative future for photography festivals.
Hosted in the vibrant city of Barcelona, Spain, this event aims to transform the global landscape of photography festivals by establishing a platform for international collaboration and shared growth. By connecting festival organizers with new resources and professional networks, the IPFA will foster continuous improvement and professionalization within the industry. Through the IPFA, we aim to create a resilient network of festivals that will enrich the global audience and support the evolving role of photography in contemporary culture. Join us!
Barcelona Tickets
Secure your place at the first major professional gathering of photography festivals from around the world!
This is an incredible opportunity to connect with sector leaders and innovators shaping the future of the photography world. Whether you're a festival director, curator, producer, manager, programmer, or an expert in communication, marketing, or education, this event is the place to be!
3 Days and more than 25 Unmissable Activities:
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Networking sessions to meet global professionals in the field
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Debates that will shape the next generation of photography festivals
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In-depth discussions on trends, challenges, and the future of photography festivals.
The Opening of 12 Captivating Exhibitions:
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Immerse yourself in inspiring photographic works and discover new talent from around the world.
Daily Lunch Included, with vegetarian and vegan options available!
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Enjoy delicious meals with fellow participants, providing the perfect opportunity to network and collaborate.
Two Milestones will make this event unforgettable
Presentation of the First Report on the Current State of Photography Festivals Worldwide:
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Get an exclusive first look at the findings and trends from the global photography festival landscape. This is essential insight for anyone looking to stay ahead in the industry.
Foundation of the International Photography Festivals Association (IPFA):
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Be part of the moment when a new, innovative, and inclusive global community is born. The IPFA marks a critical step toward a more sustainable, collaborative, and forward-thinking future for the photography sector.
This is more than just an event—it's an historic opportunity to connect, learn, and shape the future of photography festivals globally.
Full
Program
Day 0: July 3 Thursday
Institut d'Estudis Fotogràfics de Catalunya
19:30hs Exhibition Opening Echoes of the (in)visible
Day 1: July 4 Friday - Centre Cívic Pati Llimona
9:30-10hs Registrations
10-11hs Welcome and Opening: Introduction to the International Photography Festivals Association (IPFA)
11-12hs The Importance of Growing Online Communities: Social Networks and Webpages with Gulnara Lyabib, Moshe Rosenzveig and Sigrid Debusschere, moderated by Laura Ligari
12-12:30hs InPhoto App presentation with Valmont Achalme
12:30-13hs Picter presentation with Emily McSweeney
13-15hs Collective Networking Lunch
15-16:30hs The importance of Gender Equality, Diversity, Ecology and Economical Transparency in the Modernization of Photo Festivals with João Kulcsár, Alessia Locatelli, Constanze Müller, and Pablo Giori, moderated by Michael Dooney
17-18hs Roundtable: Festivals at the Crossroads: Opportunities, Challenges, and Sustainable Futures with Friso Wijnen, Ionuț Trandafirescu and Szilvia Mucsy, moderated by Ioana Cobzaru
18-19hs Presentation of the First Report on the Current State of Photography Festivals Around the World
19-21hs 12 Exhibitions Opening in Centre Civic Pati Llimona
21-23hs Dinner at George Orwell Square
Day 2: July 5 Saturday - Centre Cívic Pati Llimona
9:30-10hs Registrations
10-11:30hs Thematic Networking Meeting: Documentary, Analog, Nature, Photobooks, Street, Contemporary, etc.
12-13:30hs Countries, Continents and Languages Networking Meeting + Networking Meeting by profession: Directors, Communication-Graphic Design, Accounting-Fundraising, Producers, and Curators
13:30-15:00hs Collective Networking Lunch
15-15:30hs Pioneers of Connection: Celebrating the Legacy of Collaboration: The Festival of Light with Elda Harrington and PHEN (Photo Europe Network) with Sebastian Vaida
15:30-17hs United by Vision: Present and Emerging Networks of Photo Festivals with Territorio Photo (Daniel Belinchon), Futures (Menno Liauw), Asia Pacific Photoforum (Moshe Rosenzveig), European Photo Festivals Network (Constanze Müller) and Analog Photo Festival Network
17:30-19hs Festivals of the Future: Best Practices, Open Calls, and Opportunities for Emerging Artists with Arnaud Laroche, Linda Simeone and David Pujado, moderated by Ioana Cobzaru
19-21hs Exhibition Opening at BienCuadrado Gallery
21-23hs InPhoto Appetizer and Cocktail at Plaça Real
Day 3: July 6 Sunday - Experimental Hub
12-14hs Meeting of each Festival Association with its Members + Networking Meeting by profession: Directors, Communication-Graphic Design, Accounting-Fundraising, Producers, and Curators
14-16hs Collective Networking Lunch
16-17hs Next Steps: Setting the Agenda for the Association’s Annual and Monthly Activities
17-18hs Signing the Foundation of the International Photography Festivals Association (IPFA)
18-19hs 2 Minutes video presentations of Festivals
19-21hs Mecal Festival Cinema Night
21-23hs Free Picnic at the Beach
Online Meeting
We are launching this online edition of the First International Meeting of Photography Festivals to broaden access for photography professionals and cultural managers who are unable to attend in person in Barcelona. This initiative is a direct response to the requests shared during the various virtual meetings we have held with directors and managers of photography festivals. We are committed to fostering broader, more diverse participation and to strengthening the photography festival sector worldwide.
Official Accommodation
We have worked hard to offer you a comfortable option at the best price. Thanks to this collaboration with the University of Barcelona, attendees can stay at the Colegi Mayor Penyafort-Montserrat. During the summer, this student residence transforms to host participants of major cultural events in the city, making it the ideal place to stay alongside the Meeting community. It consists of two large identical buildings, each with five floors: the basement houses the gym, cinema, and conference room; the ground floor includes the entrance, cafeteria, terrace, and breakfast lounge. It will be a great space to share among all.
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Rooms: Single or double with a shared bathroom (no air conditioning) and breakfast included.
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Check-in: Friday, July 4th, from 12:00 PM
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Check-out: Sunday, July 6th, before 12:00 PM
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24-hour reception so you can arrive and leave worry-free.
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Optional! You can add extra nights for 48€.
To get to the meeting venue, the Centre Cívic Pati Llimona is 29 minutes away by metro on the green line L3.
Other conditions:
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The accommodation reservation is separate from the purchase of the meeting ticket.
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People who are not attending the meeting can stay at the residence if they accompany someone who is attending.
Worldwide Festivals!
There are more than 700 photography festivals spanning 91 countries and 509 cities across all five continents, with the largest number taking place in France (101), Spain (68), Italy (63), Brazil (40), the United States (39), Germany (34), and England (20). These festivals collectively involve more than 6.000 professionals, including directors, curators, producers, artistic directors, project managers, exhibition coordinators, finance managers, volunteer coordinators, programmers, education teams, sponsorship managers, and experts in communications, marketing, press, and social media. This meeting represents a unique opportunity to bring these professionals together for the first time in Barcelona, creating a platform for collaboration and innovation on a global scale.
Calendar
The Festival Calendar is based on the information collected through the First Report on the Current State of Photography Festivals, which we are promoting to provide a global view of the sector. This calendar responds to the growing need for a comprehensive and updated registry of photography festivals worldwide. Here, you will find well-established events as well as new initiatives. Additionally, this calendar is built collectively, allowing the photography community to contribute valuable data to keep it updated. If you wish to include your festival, you can participate by filling out the report's form.
Festivals Open Calls
![@yeastphotofestival 📢 È arrivato il momento di dare voce alla tua creatività!
Siamo felici di annunciare la prima edizione della Open Call curatoriale di Yeast Photo Festival, un’occasione unica per curatori e curatrici italiani di lasciare il segno nel mondo della fotografia!
Ogni anno sceglieremo un/a curatore/curatrice over 35 e uno/a under 35 di diversa nazionalità, invitandoli a presentare un solo lavoro fotografico che offra una visione critica, poetica o sperimentale sul tema centrale del festival: Food Is Identity.
Per questa prima edizione, l’invito è rivolto esclusivamente a curatori e curatrici italiani: un’opportunità per mettere in mostra il talento e far conoscere un progetto fotografico di un artista italiano.
👉🏻 Scoprite come partecipare!
🔗 Tutti i dettagli al link in bio
#YEAST2025
Un progetto di @besafe______ + ONTHEMOVE
A cura di @edda_fahrenhorst
Codirezione di @flavioefrank e @veronica_nicolardi
[EN]
📢 Give voice to your creativity!
We are pleased to announce the first edition of the Yeast Photo Festival Curatorial Open Call, a unique opportunity for Italian curators to leave their mark in the world of photography.
Every year, we will select one over-35 and one under-35 curator of different nationalities, inviting them to present a single photographic work that offers a critical, poetic, or experimental vision on the festival’s central theme: Food Is Identity.
For this first edition, the call is exclusively open to Italian curators: an opportunity to showcase your talent and introduce a photographic project by an Italian artist.
👉🏻 Find out how to participate!
🔗 All the details at the link in bio
#YEAST2025
A project by Besafe + ONTHEMOVE
Curated by @edda_fahrenhorst
Co-directed by @flavioefrank
and @veronica_nicolardi
#YeastPhotoFestival #OpenCall #FoodIsIdentity #Fotografia #Curatela](https://scontent-sea1-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.75761-15/504150860_17878898550337965_5671193410721218280_n.webp?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=18de74&_nc_ohc=kqGNTNwKtXsQ7kNvwG8ZK2j&_nc_oc=Adksk11q2wvUG_H2k8dkYAjSE-TryyZ1QVlJ6C6ImU2e_2kYAe3Q1X7Tma9Qy4R3YX0&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-sea1-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=avt5zi95AbbmsStGWbD-aQ&oh=00_AfPCbWY3gT1urmt_elJ23q9dWSSyGGvrpTP4HAEBa9HfQA&oe=68546227)
![@fondationhcb 📣 [Appel à candidatures]
❕La Fondation Henri Cartier-Bresson ouvre le 14e appel à candidatures du Prix Henri Cartier-Bresson d’aide à la création !
Photographes, vous avez jusqu'au 31 juillet 2025 pour postuler !
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Décerné tous les deux ans, le Prix Henri Cartier-Bresson d’aide à la création (anciennement Prix HCB) permet à un·e photographe de réaliser ou de poursuivre un projet ambitieux. Il s’adresse aux photographes confirmé·e·s ayant déjà accompli un important travail d’inspiration documentaire.
Désigné·e par un jury international, le·la lauréat·e recevra 35 000 euros pour la réalisation d'un projet exposé en 2027 à la Fondation Henri Cartier-Bresson. Le·la photographe sélectionné·e bénéficiera notamment d'un accompagnement tout au long du développement de son travail.
Le Prix Henri Cartier-Bresson d'aide à la création a déjà été attribué à Karim Kal, Carolyn Drake, Mathieu Pernot, Guy Tillim, Claude Iverné, Patrick Faigenbaum, Vanessa Winship, David Goldblatt, Jim Goldberg, Fazal Sheikh, Larry Towell, Josef Koudelka, et Chris Killip.
➡️ Plus d’informations sur le fonctionnement et sur les modalités de candidatures sur notre site web (lien en bio) ou en copiant le lien suivant : bit.ly/4cZu496
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La Fondation d'entreprise Hermès est le mécène du Prix Henri Cartier-Bresson d'aide à la création.
@fondationhermes](https://scontent-sea1-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.75761-15/499060297_17876792088337965_5113006030125167405_n.webp?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=18de74&_nc_ohc=M75WjZJvL10Q7kNvwF77JBR&_nc_oc=Adlv_AZAeUitYCSRsa67yssaQ3XiTfg4ci48zORzKSGDryKhBdwQtqfsbB0TDub7IfM&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-sea1-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=avt5zi95AbbmsStGWbD-aQ&oh=00_AfPWOwi5rgyLkpIyMoBBUvMjtg6ZhOyl5xBWK-Dvm6UQLQ&oe=68544C9B)
![@_theeyeswideopen [OPEN CALL]
📚 Bourses du 1er livre photo
📸 Appel à candidatures
📆 15 janvier au 18 mai 2025
@_theeyeswideopen, entité du Label @theeyespublishing, lance la Troisième édition des Bourses du 1er livre photo Eyes Wide Open destiné aux photographes qui souhaitent proposer un projet de 1er livre avec le soutien d’un·e éditeur·ice français·e indépendant·e. !
3 bourses d’une valeur de 5000€ seront attribuées aux lauréat·es et leur éditeur·ice :
• Bourse @_la_saif dédiée à un·e photographe français·e ou résidant en France
• Bourse dédiée à une femme photographe de toute nationalité
• Bourse dédiée à un.e photographe issu·e d’un territoire du Sud Global (Afrique, Caraïbes, Asie du Sud Est, Amérique Latine, Moyen-Orient)
Un programme conçu et organisé par @_theeyeswideopen
Soutenu par @culture_gouv et @_la_saif
Image : Eva Diallo, Lauréate 2024
UK// @_theeyeswideopen, an entity of The Eyes Label, is launching the second edition of the Eyes Wide Open 1st photo book bursaries, aimed at photographers wishing to propose a 1st book project with the support of an independent French publisher!
3 grants worth €5,000 will be awarded to the winners and their publisher:
• SAIF grant for a French photographer or a photographer living in France
• Dedicated to a woman photographer of any nationality.
• Grant for a photographer from a southern region (Africa, Caribbean, Southeast Asia, Latin America, Middle East)
Open Call from January 15 to May 18, 2025 on theeyeswideopen.eu](https://scontent-sea1-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.75761-15/495295519_17874740571337965_4970050962837386800_n.webp?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=18de74&_nc_ohc=_ZiDx1rG08IQ7kNvwGBQ_GM&_nc_oc=Adn2jHbCrpn7O3Oh1IOTo7S_CjxnbwipI7KMB4j0b5bj4vFjLp1k8e1nZ4PQJfVVwSk&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-sea1-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=avt5zi95AbbmsStGWbD-aQ&oh=00_AfMPqmZuBYQd1WmgCrHERgLp0j6dDOcYJdI1n1iwp0jOVA&oe=6854567B)
215 thanks!
We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the 215 photography festivals from around the world that generously took the time to complete our survey. Your participation and openness have been essential in helping us paint a more accurate picture of the current state of photography festivals globally. This collective effort will contribute to a stronger, more connected, and better-understood sector. We deeply appreciate your trust and valuable input. We will present the results during the 1st IPFA Meeting in Barcelona!
Do You Have Questions?
Schedule a call with our team here, or write us now at photofestivalsassociation@gmail.com or Whatsapp +34 679 53 17 75