Presenting Photo-Match, Fotofestiwal's Horizontal Portfolio Reviews in Łódź

Krzysztof Candrowicz and Mafalda Ruão introduce us to their equal, democratic portfolio reviews system, aimed at fostering real connections between artists and reviewers.

For the first time, a participant in the PhMuseum Photography Grant will be invited to join Photo-Match at Lodz Fotofestiwal 2025. The organization will cover travel and accommodation to welcome the prize recipient in Poland, June 2025.

We touched base with Krzysztof Candrowicz and Mafalda Ruão to learn about the ideas behind the disruptive portfolio reviews model, born in the context of a festival which was always rooted in collectiveness.

Can you share the origin story of Photo-Match? How did the idea for this portfolio review format come about?

Krzysztof: In 2016 we did research among the reviewers and artists taking part in traditional portfolio reviews and in this survey, there were many critical comments about the portfolio review structure itself. We decided to remove all the unpleasant and formal aspects and create a format that mainly addresses the things we love about portfolio reviews eg. learning from each other and promoting and fortifying meaningful connections between authors and experts.

This happened through building an equal and democratic structure, without significant pressure nor valuing one part more than the other  - which resulted in a non-transactional and non-capitalistic model, where the pleasure of engaging in a bigger group that, at the same time, fosters a matching artist-curator are the most important factors. We describe it as a model where both parties are equally involved, which empowers and gives responsibility to every participant.

During the event, artists and reviewers spend significant time together, sharing meals and attending exhibition openings throughout the city. How does this informal networking influence the outcome of future collaborations?

Mafalda: We realised that the setting and environment have a crucial influence on the quality of the meetings themselves and, therefore, their outcomes. After so many formal and stiff portfolio reviews taking place in conference rooms and business-like environments, with a table separating people, people coming and going, where artists invest lots of time and funds, and the reviewers are not quite aware of who they will meet, the pleasure and fun factor won’t apply. 

We changed the venues for a lighter and less formal encounter, such as parks, courtyards full of trees, and nice free catering sponsored by our local partners, since we believe these external conditions make the review more relaxing, relieving the pressure so everyone can be themselves in a more authentic way and really focus on the conversation. Furthermore, by removing the financial character of the event, we think expectations can also be lowered and thanks to this natural atmosphere, the magic happens.

PhMuseum joined Photo-Match as reviewers during last year's edition held in Lodz. On this occasion we met Matylda Niżegorodcew, who was subsequently selected to exhibit her work Octopus's Diary in Bologna during our International Photography Festival PhMuseum Days 2024. Can you share a few more successful cases that have happened in the last few years?

Mafalda: Oh so many examples, luckily every year we have a list of good outcomes, which leaves us very proud with a sense of developed good work that we should keep on doing. We've already had almost every possible scenario come true after Photo-Match: exhibitions, residences abroad, book publications, press assignments, and even gallery representations. It’s difficult and almost unfair, thus, to highlight just a few examples. We feel quite lucky.

What did you value the most from the Photo-Match experience so far?

Mafalda: We would say that Photo-Match fulfills exactly what a festival should promote, photography and the connections between the people involved. With the event, we simply create conditions for proper and fruitful encounters, which makes it a great tool to extend our professional audience. Thanks to such projects we engage more with the European artistic and curatorial scene, giving more opportunities to meet one-to-one in a real space, therefore besides networking it’s also a temporary learning platform. 

Not forgetting that during the two-day event, the group remains so close and committed that, in the end, we are almost like a small temporary community that knows each other well and, we would say, generally keeps in touch over the following years.

What are the specific criteria and priorities that you typically consider when evaluating applications? What advice would you share with those interested in applying for the PhMuseum Photography Grant?

Krzysztof: There are no specific criteria or algorithms for the selection process, not least because each selection is always made by a group of people with different interests and, of course, subjective interpretations. In general, we are very open to supporting emerging visual artists who have something to say. It's good when the project has an idea of where it wants to go, in which the visual language is authentic. We appreciate when we feel there was a reflection on the theme and the reason that led to this project in the first place, grounded in references, especially when it manages to look at what is happening in the world around us, even if it is in a less literal, more philosophical or metaphorical way. In fact, we value projects that find a social, historical, political, or even environmental involvement, implicit or explicit.  

What are the defining characteristics of the Lodz Fotofestiwal and its history? Can you share insights for the next edition?

Krzysztof: It has been 24 years of history, so long story short: the festival since its beginning has been focused on collective dynamics. We do our best to feed the grassroots projects, vibes, and powers that exist in our communities in the city and close by. And we do believe in democratic, vertical, and non-hierarchical formats without power structures. Our new strategy is summarised in three words: art, engagement, and community. These terms shape our past and will keep shaping our future program for the upcoming years. Regarding the next edition, it's going to be a cutting-edge socio-political statement. The announcement of the program will be held in March. We hope to see you in Łódź in June this year.

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The PhMuseum Photography Grant has established itself as a leading prize in the industry over the last 12 years, renowned for recognising the importance of contemporary photography and for supporting emergent artists through cash prizes, exhibitions at international festivals, educational activities and exposure on online media. This year, Krzysztof Candrowicz and Mafalda Ruão will invite an artist to join Photo-Match at Lodz Fotofestiwal 2025. You are welcome to present your work before 13 February 2025 at 11.59 pm (GMT). Learn more and apply at phmuseum.com/g25.

Lodz Fotofestiwal was established in 2001 as one of the first photography events in Poland. Since then it has grown into one of the most relevant photographic festivals in Europe but its core mission has not changed: presenting photography in its various ways (via exhibitions, films, slideshows, workshops etc.) but also talking about important social issues and introducing the unobvious beauty and unique history of our city to the audience.