Appennino Photo Festival

The seventh edition of the Appennino Photo Festival in 2026 is structured in several phases spread throughout the year and across the six municipalities of the Macerata area (Belforte del Chienti, Caldarola, Camporotondo di Fiastrone, 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, and the president of the Ph3 association is Marco Gratani. Among the new features of this edition is the launch of a School of Nature Photography in the former monastery of San Lorenzo in Belforte del Chienti, funded as part of NextAppennino.

Preview in Belforte del Chienti — January 31, 2026

• At the Ex Oratorio, Piazza Umberto I: institutional presentation of the seventh edition (5:30 PM) and conference "Artificial Intelligence and Photography" with journalist Alessandro Curti (6:00 PM).

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 until April 26.

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. Among the announced events in Belforte del Chienti and its surroundings:

• Friday, June 26 — "Marte Bianco", a talk where Marco Buttu recounts expeditions to Antarctica
• Saturday, June 27 — "Racconti di convivenza" (Stories of coexistence), meetings with the festival photographers

During the two weeks, the program includes: photographic exhibitions in the villages, workshops and photographic walks in the Monti Sibillini, meetings with authors, and the awards ceremony for the international Asferico and IBC Photo Award competitions. The detailed schedule with exact times and locations for each exhibition in the villages is published on the official website appenninofotofestival.com.

Autumn session — Autumn 2026

• New exhibitions and discussions related to the Impressum competition.

How to get there

Belforte del Chienti is reachable by car from the SS77 Val di Chienti highway, exit Belforte del Chienti, in the hinterland of the Province of Macerata. 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: Belforte del Chienti, Caldarola, Camporotondo di Fiastrone, Cessapalombo, Serrapetrona, and Tolentino. In Belforte, events are held in the historic center and the former Oratory of Piazza Umberto I; the School of Nature Photography is established in the former monastery of San Lorenzo.

Information and Tickets

Detailed program, venues, and access information are published on the official website appenninofotofestival.com and on the festival's social media channels. Most events are free admission.

Tips

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