Ballarat International Foto Biennale

This year’s theme is Lifeforce, and it ties into an eight-week program of exhibitions, public art, talks, and workshops across more than 100 venues throughout Ballarat.

Presented by Intrepid Travel, the festival will feature over 360 artists and bring together Australian and international photographers, digital artists, and creative practitioners. The program includes Australian-exclusive exhibitions, world premieres, and large-scale outdoor installations.

Image of Catherine Leroy.
Image of 1960/70's French photo journalist Catherine Leroy.

Vanessa Gerrans, Artistic Director and CEO of the Biennale, said the 2025 edition celebrates the creative drive that connects artists with audiences. “This year’s program reflects a wide range of perspectives through photography and visual storytelling, offering visitors the chance to engage with both established and emerging voices.”

The Biennale is massive, with countless events and exhibitions over the eight week long festival.

Upcoming Events Submit an Event

July

Perth: From 31 May – 28 Sept 2025. Featuring 85 works from three major series – Deep Springs, Overpass, and Cross Country – the exhibition spans twelve years of Contis’s evolving photographic practice.

Sydney: Until 31 Dec 2025. PIX, Australia’s first pictorial news weekly, is brought to life in this exhibition, showcasing its archived images and stories for the very first time.

Sydney: 15 May – 19 October. Showcasing 100 incredible images, this remarkable exhibition offers a window into the astonishing variety of life on our planet – and the critical importance of preserving it.

August

Leica Store Gallery in both Sydney & Melbourne present a unique photographic dialogue between Steve McCurry and Jessie Brinkman Evans. Until late October.

September

Melbourne: until 9 November. Man Ray and Max Dupain is the first major Australian exhibition to consider these two influential 20th century photographers side by side.

Melbourne: 13 September – 9 November 2025. Featuring selected finalists for the 2025 William & Winifred Bowness Photography Prize.

October

Melbourne: Oct 31 – Nov 6. Chimera is a photographic investigation into the shifting landscape of beauty in the age of artificial intelligence and social media.