Our First Meeting
Photography Festivals United
The 1st International Meeting of Photography Festivals took place in Barcelona, July 4–6, 2025. This pioneering event marked a significant milestone for photography festivals worldwide. It gathered 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 had the opportunity to build meaningful partnerships and inspire new ideas. This event was a defining moment that set forth the vision and mission to support a more sustainable, inclusive, and innovative future for photography festivals.
This event aimed 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, IPFA fostered continuous improvement and professionalization within the industry. Through IPFA, we created a resilient network of festivals that will enrich the global audience and support the evolving role of photography in contemporary culture. Thank you for being part of it!
It was an Incredible Opportunity
It was an incredible opportunity to connect with sector leaders and innovators shaping the future of the photography world. Whether festival directors, curators, producers, managers, programmers, or experts in communication, marketing, or education — this event truly was the place to be!
3 Days and More Than 25 Unmissable Activities:
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Networking sessions that allowed participants to meet global professionals in the field.
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Debates that helped 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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Participants immersed themselves in inspiring photographic works and discovered new talent from around the world.
Daily Lunch Included, with vegetarian and vegan options available!
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Participants enjoyed delicious meals with fellow attendees, providing the perfect opportunity to network and collaborate.
Two Milestones Made This Event Unforgettable
Presentation of the First Report on the Current State of Photography Festivals Worldwide:
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Participants had the exclusive first look at the findings and trends from the global photography festival landscape. This provided essential insight for anyone seeking to stay ahead in the industry.
Foundation of the International Photography Festivals Association (IPFA):
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Attendees were part of the moment when a new, innovative, and inclusive global community was born. IPFA marked a critical step toward a more sustainable, collaborative, and forward-thinking future for the photography sector.
Participating Festivals
Full Program
July 3 Thursday
DAY 0
19:30hs Exhibition Opening
- Arantxa Berganzo & Astrid Jacomme - Echoes of the (in)visible
- Ludovica Bastianini - The Cruelty of Grace
- Wai-Hang Siu - Customers
Institut d'Estudis Fotogràfics de Catalunya
July 4 Friday
DAY 1
Centre Cívic Pati Llimona
9:30 - 10:00hs Registrations
10:00 - 11:00hs Welcome and Opening: Introduction to the International Photography Festivals Association (IPFA)
In this welcome and opening event, the coordinators of the meeting, Pablo Giori, Laura LIgari and Emiliano Covello, offers a visionary look at a bold new initiative aimed at transforming the global photography festival landscape. As photography festivals continue to flourish across continents, the International Photography Festivals Association (IPFA) emerges as a platform for connection, cooperation, and collective growth. This opening session introduces the IPFA’s mission to unite over 600 festivals worldwide, creating a space where directors, curators, producers, and artists can share knowledge, build networks, and shape best practices. Emphasizing inclusivity and horizontality, the association welcomes participation from both emerging and long-established festivals, fostering a global culture of mutual support and innovation in the photographic arts.
11:00 - 12:00hs The Importance of Growing Online Communities: Social Networks and Webpages
This conference, guides by Laura Ligari with guests festivals, delves into the evolving digital strategies shaping the future of photography festivals. Drawing on research conducted with 20 of the world’s most active photo festivals, this talk uncovers how social networks and web platforms have become essential tools for visibility, engagement, and growth. Through a blend of data insights and case studies, the session highlights effective strategies for building and sustaining vibrant online communities. From audience development to brand identity, this presentation offers festival organizers a practical guide to navigating the digital landscape—where connection, storytelling, and innovation converge.
12:00 - 12:30hs InPhoto App presentation with Valmont Achalme
In this presentation, Valmont Achalme introduces InPhoto App—a cutting-edge digital platform designed to transform how photography festivals are experienced, organized, and connected across the globe. InPhoto App enhances the festival experience for both visitors and professionals. From accessing event schedules and geolocating nearby exhibitions to scanning images for exclusive content and purchasing prints directly, the app empowers users to engage with photography in more dynamic and interactive ways. By centralizing information from diverse festivals across Europe, the app promotes efficiency, discovery, and shared visibility, reinforcing the IPFA’s vision of a more inclusive, horizontal, and professionalized photography festival ecosystem. Blending innovation with accessibility, this presentation highlights how InPhoto is redefining the digital infrastructure of contemporary photography festivals—where technology, creativity, and community converge.
12:30 - 13:00hs Picter presentation with Emily McSweeney
This presentation, guided by Emily McSweeney, explores how Picter help photographers and festivals to produce and curate open calls and photo contests with and innovative digital tool, and a commitment to democratizing creative opportunities. Aligned with the mission of the International Photography Festivals Association (IPFA), this talk offers festival organizers and cultural producers a clear look at how platforms like Picter can foster collaboration, professionalization, and global reach.
13:00 - 15:00hs Collective Networking Lunch
15:00 - 16:30hs The importance of Gender Equality, Diversity, Ecology and Economical Transparency in the Modernization of Photo Festivals moderated by Michael Dooney
This conference, moderated by Michael Dooney, explores the critical role of gender equality, diversity, ecological responsibility, and economic transparency in shaping the future of photography festivals. As cultural events evolve to reflect the complexities of contemporary society, these values have become central to building more inclusive, ethical, and sustainable festival models. Reflecting the ideology of the International Photography Festivals Association (IPFA), this discussion serves as a call to action for directors, curators, producers, and artists alike—encouraging a collaborative, horizontal approach to festival-making that prioritizes equity, sustainability, and shared responsibility.
17:00 - 18:00hs Roundtable: Festivals at the Crossroads: Opportunities, Challenges, and Sustainable Futures moderated by Ioana Cobzaru
This conversation, moderated by Loana Cobzaru, examines the crucial moment photography festivals face today—where tradition meets transformation, and urgency meets opportunity. Festivals at the Crossroads brings together perspectives from across the field to explore the structural, cultural, and economical challenges shaping the future of festival-making. Echoing the goals of the International Photography Festivals Association (IPFA), this presentation highlights the importance of collaboration, shared knowledge, and professional exchange in building a long term sustainable and equitable global festival landscape. Designed for directors, curators, producers, and artists alike, it invites the community to rethink how festivals can adapt, thrive, and lead in a rapidly evolving cultural environment.
18:00 - 19:00hs Presentation of the First Report on the Current State of Photography Festivals Around the World
Based in a research done by IPFA with more than 200 photo festivals, this presentation unveils the First Report on the Current State of Photography Festivals Around the World. The report explores key metrics such as the duration and scheduling of events, the number of artists and curators involved, and the financial realities faced by festival organizers. Additionally, examines the broader cultural and institutional recognition of festivals, alongside the evolving concerns and goals of festival teams. Through a combination of statistics, case studies, and firsthand insights, this presentation offers an essential resource for understanding the dynamics of the global photography festival industry. Reflecting the core mission of the International Photography Festivals Association (IPFA), this initiative is designed to foster collaboration, knowledge sharing, and professional growth within a diverse and interconnected community. The report offers a foundation for collective reflection—and a starting point for building a more inclusive, transparent, and forward-looking future for photography festivals worldwide.
19:00 - 21:00hs 16 Exhibitions Opening in Centre Civic Pati Llimona
21:00 - 23:00hs Dinner at Palo Santo Restaurant
July 5 Saturday
DAY 2
9:30 - 10:00hs Registrations
10:00 - 11:30hs Thematic Networking Meeting
12:00 - 13:30hs Countries, Continents and Languages Networking Meeting
13:30 - 15:00hs Collective Networking Lunch
15:00 - 17:00hs United by Vision: Present and Emerging Networks of Photo Festivals
This presentation explores the growing importance of collaborative networks in the world of photography festivals. Moderated by key industry figures, the session brings together prominent initiatives —each of which plays an important role in shaping the future of the global photography festival community. It highlights the shared vision and collective efforts driving innovation, inclusivity, and sustainability within the global photo festival community. For IPFA, this type of collaboration is key to its mission and recognizes the importance of supporting these networks.
17:30 - 19:00hs Festivals of the Future: Best Practices, Open Calls, and Opportunities for Emerging Artists moderated by Ioana Cobzaru
This presentation explores how photography festivals can evolve to better support the next generation of visual storytellers. Bringing together insights from across the global festival landscape, the session examines how open calls, curatorial approaches, and organizational strategies are being reimagined to create more accessible, inclusive, and dynamic platforms for emerging talents. IPFA sees the support and the exchange of knowledge as essential to creating a stronger, more interconnected future for the field.
19:00 - 21:00hs Exhibition Opening at BienCuadrado Gallery
21:00 - 23:00hs InPhoto Appetizer and Cocktail at Plaça Real
July 6 Sunday
DAY 3
12:00-14:00hs Meetings of Association and Member + Meeting by Profession (Curators) + New Festivals + Consolidated + Biannuals
14:00-16:00hs Collective Networking Lunch
16:00-17:00hs Next Steps: Setting the Agenda for the Association’s Annual and Monthly Activities
17:00-18:00hs Signing the Foundation of the International Photography Festivals Association (IPFA)
18:00-19:00hs 2 Minutes video presentations of Festivals
19:00-21:00hs Mecal Festival Cinema Night
21:00-23:00hs Free Picnic at the Beach
Online Meeting
We launched this online edition of the First International Meeting of Photography Festivals to broaden access for photography professionals and cultural managers who were unable to attend in person in Barcelona. This initiative was a direct response to the requests shared during the various virtual meetings we had held with directors and managers of photography festivals. We were committed to fostering broader, more diverse participation and to strengthening the photography festival sector worldwide.
