Appennino Foto Festival

The seventh edition of the Appennino Foto Festival in 2026 is divided into three phases spread throughout the year and across the six Municipalities of the Macerata area (Camporotondo di Fiastrone, Belforte del Chienti, Caldarola, Cessapalombo, Serrapetrona, Tolentino). The chosen theme, "Regenerate. Where the journey heals", links the Franciscan Year of journeys with the redemption of the Sibillini territory after the 2016 earthquake.

The artistic director is Stefano Ciocchetti. Among the new features of this edition is the launch of a School of Nature Photography in the former convent of Belforte del Chienti, funded as part of NextAppennino.

Opening — April 2, 2026 (Ascoli Piceno)

• Inauguration of the retrospective exhibition "Nel segno della luce" by the Photonica3 collective at the Forte Malatesta in Ascoli Piceno, open throughout April.

Summer weeks — June 25-28 and July 2-5, 2026

The summer core of the festival, spread across the six Municipalities of the Macerata area. Among the announced events:

• Thursday, June 25 — Community opening evening with storyteller Daniele Felli
• Friday, June 26 — "Marte Bianco", Marco Buttu talks about expeditions to Antarctica
• Saturday, June 27 — "Racconti di convivenza" (Tales of coexistence), meetings with photographers Gianluca Damiani, Michel Giaccaglia, and Francesco Visintin

The program for the two weeks includes: photographic exhibitions in the villages (including Camporotondo di Fiastrone), workshops and photographic walks in the Monti Sibillini, meetings with authors, and the awards ceremonies for the international competitions Asferico and IBC Photo Award. Among the announced guests and speakers are Alessandro Curti, Roberto Marchegiani, Elisa Lauzana, and Irene Lazzarin.

Among the artists featured in the 2026 edition: Emiliano Cribari (creator of the festival's manifesto), Alessandro Bergamini, and Cinzia Canneri, as well as the seven photographers from the Photonica3 collective. The detailed schedule with precise times and locations is published on the official website appenninofotofestival.com.

Autumn session — Autumn 2026

• New exhibitions and insights related to the Impressum competition.

The detailed schedule with precise times and locations for individual exhibitions in the villages is published on the official website appenninofotofestival.com.

How to get there

Camporotondo di Fiastrone can be reached by car from the Tolentino exit of the SS77 Val di Chienti expressway, continuing towards the Sibillini hinterland. The nearest train station is Tolentino, on the Civitanova Marche-Fabriano line. Main airport: Ancona-Falconara.

Venues and Municipalities

The festival is spread across six Municipalities in the Macerata area: Camporotondo di Fiastrone, Belforte del Chienti, Caldarola, Cessapalombo, Serrapetrona, and Tolentino. Exhibitions are held in spaces within the villages and in the historic centers of the participating Municipalities.

Information and tickets

Detailed program, venues, and access methods are published on the official website appenninofotofestival.com. For information on the Municipality of Camporotondo di Fiastrone: tel. +39 0733 907153.

Tips

Bring comfortable shoes for the photographic walks and clothing suitable for the mountains. The area offers farm stays and accommodations spread throughout the Sibillini villages.