Lodz Fotofestiwal 2026

This year’s Fotofestiwal program explores the dual relationship between humans and non-human animals—and beyond.

Overview

A deep dive into the historical 'mutual gaze'—now suspended in a limbo between 'us' and 'them'—serves as the centerpiece for Fotofestiwal’s 25th edition. This year’s main exhibition explores the dual relationship between humans and non-human animals, setting the tone for our quarter-century anniversary.

The festival invites you to join us for a programme that uncovers the layers of American propaganda and fiction, a collective voice that addresses the growing climate emergency and the inevitable challenges following in its path, alongside numerous projects staged in open urban spaces and at exciting new venues.

There will be photobooks, events, memorable musical and audiovisual perfomances — Fotofestiwal has announced the highlights of its 25th edition.

The festival is one of the most important events related to photography in Poland and it will take place on 18-28 June in the post-industrial city of Łódź.

Among the highlights is most notably Philip Montgomery, whose American Cycles provides a stark, black-and-white visual map of a decade of social and political conflict in the United States. 

Within the We, Animals program, Feng Li offers a unique glimpse into domestic harmony between humans and pigs, while Maija Tammi presents a powerful video parallel between the sacrifices of a mother octopus and human motherhood. Additionally, Augustin Rebetez (CH) brings a "total art" approach to the Biedermann Palace, disrupting the historic space with a vibrant, chaotic fusion of media and kinetic installations.

Featured artists also include Nikita Teryoshin, Carlos Alba, Marta Bogdańska, Richard Barnes, Jaap Scheeren, Alfio Tommasini, and Ang Siew Ching.

Beyond the main exhibitions, the festival extends to the Open Program and Heritage Lens projects, highlighting artists such as Tanya Habjouqa, who documents the Palestinian struggle for dignity. The 2026 edition is further enriched by Luke Stephenson’s large-scale outdoor portraits of show birds and a multidisciplinary City Program.

The event also includes music and audiovisual programmes. Plus, PhMuseum will screen the shortlisted projects from the PhMuseum 2026 Photography Grant and a special screening of artist Dimitri Stefanov, selected by Krzysztof Candrowicz and Mafalda Ruao through the grant.