Encontros da Imagem 2026

The 36th edition of Encontros da Imagem invites audiences to imagine new ways of belonging in an interconnected world through photography and contemporary visual art.

Overview

Under the theme Imagined Territories, Enchanted Lands, the 36th edition of Encontros da Imagem reflects on how identity, belonging, and coexistence are being reshaped in an increasingly interconnected world. Inspired by Marshall McLuhan's concept of the "global village," the festival proposes an exercise in imagination – envisioning a shared future that embraces both human and non-human realms while questioning the boundaries of community, territory, and cultural identity.

Today, the world is a web of connections accessed in an instant, whether in person or online. We are constant witnesses to each other’s lives, livestreamed from nearly every corner of the Earth and beyond. Most people’s lived experience is inherently multi- and trans-cultural, bridging continents, traditions, and languages. Yet we have not fully developed the language to embrace this shared human experience – one built on universal solidarity, responsibility, and inclusivity that transcends and honours our local communities and national identities. The 36th edition of Encontros da Imagem serves as an exercise in envisioning this emerging reality, treating human and non-human worlds as a unified universe.

While photography remains at the heart of the festival, the program expands across contemporary visual practices. Through exhibitions, installations, screenings, performances, talks, portfolio reviews, and educational activities, Encontros da Imagem continues to foster dialogue between local and international artists – encouraging critical perspectives on the social, cultural, and environmental realities of our time.