Appennino Foto Festival
The nature photography festival among the villages of the Sibillini Mountains
About Appennino Foto Festival
A festival spread across the villages of the Sibillini Mountains
The Appennino Foto Festival is an event dedicated to nature and landscape photography that animates the hinterland of the Province of Macerata, in the Marche region, every year. Founded in 2019, the festival is promoted by the PH3 Association and involves a network of Municipalities in the Sibillini Mountains area: Serrapetrona, Belforte del Chienti, Caldarola, Camporotondo di Fiastrone, Cessapalombo, and, since the seventh edition, also Tolentino.
Serrapetrona, a small village about 500 meters above sea level, also known for its Vernaccia wine, is one of the official venues of the festival: its squares, churches, and historic spaces host photographic exhibitions, author meetings, and discussions on the relationship between humans and nature.
Photography, nature, and territorial regeneration
The festival is not just a display of images, but a true cultural journey that intertwines exhibitions, conferences, educational workshops, readings, biodiversity talks, and photographic walks immersed in the Apennine landscapes. The aim is to enhance the territory's peculiarities both from a naturalistic and cultural perspective, drawing attention to the fragility and beauty of these lands, marked by the 2016 earthquake and now protagonists of a path of rebirth.
The artistic direction is entrusted to Stefano Ciocchetti, while the PH3 Association is chaired by Marco Gratani. Over the years, the festival has hosted photographers, naturalists, writers, and mountaineers, building a program capable of uniting art, environmental education, and the valorization of small villages.
The 2026 edition: "Regenerate. Where the journey heals"
The seventh edition, scheduled for 2026, has the theme "Regenerate. Where the journey heals", with green as its symbolic color. The festival is divided into several moments throughout the year: an anthological exhibition by the Photonica3 collective inaugurated in spring, the summer summer weeks which represent the heart of the event in the participating villages, including Serrapetrona, and an autumn phase linked to the Impressum competition.
Why it's worth it
- A high-level review of nature photography, with Italian and international authors.
- An opportunity to discover the authentic villages of the Sibillini Mountains and the upper Chienti valley.
- Widespread events, often free, including exhibitions, workshops, talks, and nature walks.
- A festival that tells the story of a territory's rebirth through images.
Appennino Foto Festival — edition 2026
Appennino Foto Festival 2026 — VII Edition
The 2026 edition of the Appennino Foto Festival is titled "Regenerate. Where the journey heals" and has green as its symbolic color. The event is divided into several phases throughout the year and involves six Municipalities in the Sibillini area: Serrapetrona, Belforte del Chienti, Caldarola, Camporotondo di Fiastrone, Cessapalombo, and Tolentino.
The festival opened in spring with the anthological exhibition "Nel segno della luce" (In the Sign of Light) by the Photonica3 collective, held at Forte Malatesta in Ascoli Piceno. However, the central moment is the summer weeks, scheduled from June 26 to 29 and from July 3 to 5, 2026, in the participating villages, including Serrapetrona, with talks, workshops, photographic walks, and awards for the international competitions Asferico and Ibc Photo Award. An concluding phase linked to the Impressum competition is planned for the autumn.
Programme Appennino Foto Festival 2026
The detailed program for the summer weeks of the Appennino Foto Festival 2026 (exhibitions, talks, workshops, and schedules at each venue, including Serrapetrona) will be published and updated on the official website www.appenninofotofestival.com in the weeks preceding the event.
Structure of the 2026 event
- Spring — Anthological exhibition "Nel segno della luce" by the Photonica3 collective at Forte Malatesta in Ascoli Piceno.
- Summer weeks: June 26-29 and July 3-5, 2026 — Heart of the festival in the participating villages: exhibitions, talks, workshops, photographic walks, and awards for the international competitions Asferico and Ibc Photo Award.
- Autumn — Concluding phase with new guests, exhibitions, and the Impressum competition.
Highlights Appennino Foto Festival 2026
- 2026 Theme: "Regenerate. Where the journey heals".
- Summer weeks from June 26 to 29 and July 3 to 5, 2026, in the villages of the Sibillini Mountains.
- Awards for the international photography competitions Asferico and Ibc Photo Award.
- Anthological exhibition by the Photonica3 collective and artistic direction by Stefano Ciocchetti.
Prices Appennino Foto Festival 2026
Practical information — Appennino Foto Festival
Where
The festival is spread across the Municipalities of Serrapetrona, Belforte del Chienti, Caldarola, Camporotondo di Fiastrone, Cessapalombo, and Tolentino, in the Province of Macerata (Marche). In Serrapetrona, events take place in the historic center of the village.
How to get there
By car: from the SS77 Val di Chienti, take the exit for Belforte del Chienti/Caldarola and then provincial roads towards Serrapetrona. The nearest airport is Ancona-Falconara, and the reference train stations are on the Val di Chienti line.
Tickets and information
Many events and exhibitions are free to enter. For the detailed program and updated times, please consult the official website www.appenninofotofestival.com. Information: Municipality of Serrapetrona, tel. +39 0733 908321.
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Where does it take place — Appennino Foto Festival
Centro storico di Serrapetrona