Backlight Photo Festival

Backlight Photo Festival is an international photography festival organised every three years in Tampere, Finland. Founded in 1987 and organised by Photographic Centre Nykyaika, Backlight is one of the oldest international photo festivals in Northern Europe. The festival showcases contemporary photography that addresses social, cultural and global issues.

Each edition presents a curated programme of exhibitions and side programme. The next edition will take place in autumn 2026 with the theme The Art of Lying

Throughout its triennial cycle, Backlight continues its work year-round by hosting exhibitions and developing long-term partnerships across Europe and beyond. Photographic Centre Nykyaika, the organisation behind the festival, runs a contemporary photography gallery in Tampere, where monthly exhibitions form the core of its ongoing programme alongside the triennial festival.