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

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.

November

Canberra: Until 1 March 2026. Women photographers 1853–2018 highlights the transformative impact of women artists on the history of photography.

Sydney: Until 11 April. Unfinished Business brings together the voices of 30 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living with disabilities from remote, regional, and urban communities across Australia.

Canberra: Until 6 Sept 2026. Trent Parke’s photographic series The Christmas tree bucket 2006–09 is a tender and darkly humorous portrayal of his extended family coming together to celebrate Christmas.

Melbourne: 28 Nov 2025 – 26 May 2026. The exhibition celebrates the wide-ranging photographic practices of more than eighty women artists working between 1900 and 1975.

December

Sydney: 4 Dec – 19 Dec 2025. The project brings together around 70 images over 50 metres of wall space, profiling a wide spectrum of practical action on climate