Appennino Foto Festival

The seventh edition in 2026 of the Appennino Foto Festival is divided into three phases spread throughout the year and across the six Municipalities of the Macerata area (Cessapalombo, Belforte del Chienti, Caldarola, Camporotondo di Fiastrone, 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 festival is promoted by the association Ph3, with president Marco Gratani, artistic director Stefano Ciocchetti, and curation by Arianna Iommi. Among the new features of this edition is the establishment of a School of Nature Photography in the former monastery of Belforte del Chienti, funded as part of NextAppennino.

Opening — April 2, 2026 (Ascoli Piceno)

• Inauguration of the retrospective exhibition "Nel segno della luce" (In the Sign of Light) by the Photonica3 collective at the Forte Malatesta in Ascoli Piceno, open until April 26, 2026.

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

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

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

The program for the two weeks includes: widespread photographic exhibitions in the villages, workshops and photographic walks in the Sibillini Mountains, 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 poster), Alessandro Bergamini, and Cinzia Canneri, as well as the seven photographers from the Photonica3 collective. The detailed schedule with times, precise locations, and specific events in Cessapalombo is published on the official website appenninofotofestival.com.

Autumn session — Autumn 2026

• New exhibitions and in-depth discussions related to the Impressum competition.

How to get there

Cessapalombo is 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: Cessapalombo, Belforte del Chienti, Caldarola, Camporotondo di Fiastrone, Serrapetrona, and Tolentino. Exhibitions and meetings are held in the historic centers and spaces of the participating villages.

Information and tickets

The detailed program, with venues and times for individual exhibitions in the villages, is published on the official website appenninofotofestival.com. Most events are free admission. For information on the Municipality of Cessapalombo: tel. +39 0733 907132.

Tips

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