Research
Reports on the global photography festival sector
Every year we survey festivals worldwide to build the data that makes the sector develop. Each report is based on direct contributions from festivals across the network and covers everything from funding structures and workforce conditions to long-term sustainability and future scenarios. All research is free and open to everyone.
A Long-Term Research Observatory
With these annual studies, IPFA positions itself as an active research observatory committed to the present and future of photography festivals. Each investigation aims to generate useful, open, and actionable knowledge that allows festivals not only to adapt to changes, but also to lead them with responsibility and vision. From economic structures to future scenarios, this research programme seeks to build a stronger, more connected, professionalised, and resilient global community. Ultimately, the goal is to ensure that photography festivals continue to be key spaces for artistic creation, circulation of images, and the construction of collective meaning in a constantly changing world.
Sector Scale
1,056
active Festivals worldwide
554
inactive Festivals Documented
Reach
8.9 million
in-person visitis per year
15 + million
total participants per year
6.6
million
people in online communities
31,000
activities per year
Econo
mics
€79 million
total direct budget per year
15
million
total participants per year
€163 million est.
economic impact from sector
69 to 98 million
local impact annually from sector
Financial
Health
47%
of festivals
have high dependence
on a singular funding source
61%
of festivals have no financial reserves
43%
operating with economic difficulties in the past year
45%
mostly volunteer-based employment model
Spending
Staff and artist fees are the areas where budgets are most insufficient at
43% and 42%
Production is the
largest cort at 31%
of average budget
