Italian Photography Festival
The only national festival entirely dedicated to Italian photography, in the heart of the Casentino valley
About Italian Photography Festival
The national festival of Italian auteur photography
The Italian Photography Festival is the only national event entirely dedicated to Italian photography, taking place in the heart of the Casentino, the ancient wooded valley in the province of Arezzo, Tuscany. The festival spans four historic villages—Bibbiena (the main hub), Poppi, Pratovecchio, and Stia—transforming palaces, castles, galleries, and urban spaces into a vast, widespread exhibition circuit.
The heart: The CIFA in Bibbiena
The festival's core is the CIFA - Italian Center for Auteur Photography in Bibbiena, an institution of the FIAF (Italian Federation of Photographic Associations) that preserves a unique heritage of Italian auteur photography. This is where the central exhibition, curated by Denis Curti, takes shape each year, serving as the true common thread of the entire event. Numerous other venues are clustered around the CIFA, from Palazzo Ferri to Borgo Martellini, and from the Mariæ Nivis Galleries to the Castello dei Conti Guidi in Poppi.
The 2026 edition: 'Rites and Visions'
The third edition, scheduled from June 12 to September 6, 2026, is dedicated to the theme 'Rites and Visions: Between the Spiritual and the Material': an exploration of the relationship between the sacred and the profane, faith and matter, which takes on special significance during the eighth centenary of Saint Francis of Assisi. The central exhibition at the CIFA, 'Body to Body: Visions of the Sacred,' curated by Denis Curti, brings together numerous photographers to engage with the contemporary imagery of the sacred.
A rich and widespread program
- Dozens of exhibitions distributed across multiple venues in the four villages
- Over one hundred artists, including historical and contemporary photographers
- Talks, meetings, and round tables with curators and critics
- Portfolio reviews for emerging photographers
- Workshops and FIAF training sessions
A showcase for the region
The festival is also an opportunity to discover the Casentino, a land of castles, hermitages, and sacred forests. Visiting the exhibitions means traversing the historic centers of Bibbiena, Poppi, Pratovecchio, and Stia, blending photographic culture with the Tuscan landscape. Almost all events offer free admission, confirming the festival's commitment to education and inclusivity.
Italian Photography Festival — edition 2026
The 2026 edition of the Italian Photography Festival is dedicated to the theme 'Rites and Visions: Between the Spiritual and the Material,' an investigation into the relationship between the sacred and matter, echoing the eighth centenary of Saint Francis of Assisi. Exhibitions are spread across Bibbiena, Poppi, Pratovecchio, and Stia, with the CIFA serving as the exhibition hub. The central show, 'Body to Body: Visions of the Sacred,' curated by Denis Curti, brings together various photographers to explore contemporary imagery of the sacred. The opening weekend of June 12-14 kicks off the season with talks, portfolio reviews, FIAF training sessions, and awards.
Programme Italian Photography Festival 2026
Friday, June 12 — Opening
- 15:00-17:40 — Portfolio Reviews
- 18:00 — Official Festival Opening at the CIFA in Bibbiena
- 20:30 — Opening Dinner
Saturday, June 13
- 10:00-13:00 / 15:00-17:00 — Portfolio Reviews
- FIAF Training Sessions: 'The Single Image' and 'The Fanzine'
- Talks with Francesco Piraino, Antonio Biasiucci, and Antonio Maraldi
- 17:30-19:00 — Opening of the Poppi, Pratovecchio, and Stia venues
- 21:00 — Dinner at the Lanificio in Stia
Sunday, June 14
- 10:00-13:00 — Portfolio Reviews
- Talks with Denis Curti and Claudia Ioan
- 15:00 — Award Ceremony for the 'Percorsi', 'Nuovi sguardi', and 'Portfolio' sections
Exhibitions (June 12 - September 6)
- Body to Body: Visions of the Sacred — central exhibition at the CIFA, curated by Denis Curti
- The Habit Makes the Monk — thematic exhibition
- Exhibitions by artists and collectives (including TerraProject) and projects from photography academies and institutes
Exhibition Venues
- Bibbiena: CIFA, Palazzo Ferri, Borgo Martellini, Via Bernardo Dovizi, Via Garibaldi, Galleria Parentesi
- Poppi: Palazzo Giorgi, Castello dei Conti Guidi
- Pratovecchio: Gallerie Mariæ Nivis, EX-COOP
- Stia: Galleria Mariæ Nivis, Piazza Tanucci, Limonaia del Palagio Fiorentino
Exhibition Hours
June, July, and September: Thursday to Sunday, 10:00-13:00 / 16:00-19:00. August: Wednesday to Sunday, 10:00-13:00 / 16:00-19:00.
Highlights Italian Photography Festival 2026
Prices Italian Photography Festival 2026
Practical information — Italian Photography Festival
Getting there
Bibbiena can be reached by car via the E45 / SS71 or by train on the Arezzo-Stia line (Bibbiena station). The other locations (Poppi, Pratovecchio, Stia) are just a few kilometers away and connected by the same Casentino valley road.
Opening hours
Exhibitions are open Thursday to Sunday, 10:00-13:00 and 16:00-19:00 (in August, Wednesday to Sunday).
Admission
Free for most exhibitions and events. Some specific displays may require a ticket.
Contact
Tel. +39 0575 1653924 — [email protected] — official website festivalfotografiaitaliana.it
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Where does it take place — Italian Photography Festival
CIFA - Centro Italiano della Fotografia d'Autore
Via delle Monache 2, 52011 Bibbiena