Return of the Ballarat International Photo Biennale in 2025
Ballarat International Foto Biennale Returns with a Vibrant Exploration of "Lifeforce"
Get ready for an exciting photography event as the 11th iteration of the Ballarat International Foto Biennale (BIFB) is set to take place from August 23 to October 19, 2025. This year's theme, "Lifeforce," celebrates the vital energy and creative spark that drives artists and connects them with audiences through photography and visual storytelling.
With over 360 artists and more than 100 venues, BIFB 2025 promises an immersive experience, featuring exhibitions, public art, talks, workshops, and large-scale outdoor installations throughout Ballarat. Artistic Director Vanessa Gerrans describes "Lifeforce" as the life force within everyone that compels creation, connection, and capturing the world.
One of the highlights of the festival is the Masterclass series. On October 11, attendees can join Masterclass: Landscape Photography with Isabella Capazio, exploring various approaches to landscape photography through both historical and contemporary lenses. For those interested in alternative processes, Masterclass: Alternative Processes with Chris Bowes on October 18 offers a unique opportunity to create their own photogram tote bag using the cyanotype technique and transform a favorite photo into a unique handmade polaroid print. Masterclass: Portrait Photography with Kristoffer Paulsen on Sep 6 is another must-attend event, teaching about approaches to portraiture, narrative building, and subject collaboration.
Besides the masterclasses, BIFB 2025 features a variety of captivating exhibitions. Kathy Muhlhan's A Dahliance fuses dahlia flowers over images of Lake Wendouree and its Botanical Gardens as an act of self-care. Japanese-Australian artist Hiromi Tango unpacks their identity, alongside grief, separation, longing, and loss, in the six-image photographic series inspired by Noh theatre. The Niijournal exhibition showcases highlights of a publication that champions underrepresented voices in fashion, art, and culture. Nature~ista exhibition features some of the animal kingdom's most flamboyant creatures, while Hagoromo (Full Flower Moon) by Hiromi Tango explores emotional healing and transformation through color, texture, and storytelling.
To make the most of your Ballarat Foto experience, Nowak recommends looking at the program before arriving, booking early for events that may book out in advance, taking the train from Melbourne as an easy alternative to driving, and checking out the maps and laneways to explore the outdoor program. RACV Goldfields' program in 2025 includes a showcase of Campbell Addy's work on Niijournal, an exhibition by renowned artist Hiromi Tango, and various exhibitions such as A Dahliance, Niijournal, Hagoromo (Full Flower Moon), and Nature~ista.
RACV Goldfields is offering a special package during the festival, including two nights of accommodation, daily breakfast, entry tickets to the Ballarat International Foto Biennale, a tote bag, festival program, and a two-course dinner for two people at RACV Goldfields' Three Founders restaurant. Free parking is available at the RACV Goldfields Resort in Creswick, approximately 15 minutes from Ballarat. A bus then runs directly to Ballarat station. Free parking is also available around the Festival Hub in Ballarat, including accessible parking.
Ballarat Foto runs around multiple locations around the City of Ballarat, where you can enjoy local cuisine from a range of cafes, pubs, bars, restaurants, and eateries. Casual visitors are welcome to take pictures and videos of Ballarat Foto for personal use, unless otherwise stated. The Art of Lunch series continues with a special Ballarat Foto edition on 24 Aug, featuring artists like Campbell Addy, Hiromi Tango, and more.
Ballarat Foto is located in and around the City of Ballarat, with trains and buses running multiple times a day from both Melbourne and Geelong. There is no dress code for attending Ballarat Foto. For those cycling in and out of the festival, the Resort also has secure bike parking and storage.
With its diverse range of events, exhibitions, and workshops, Ballarat International Foto Biennale 2025 is not to be missed. So mark your calendars, and get ready to immerse yourself in the world of photography and visual storytelling.
[1] Ballarat International Foto Biennale (BIFB) Official Website [2] RACV Goldfields Official Website [3] Niijournal Official Website [4] Hiromi Tango Official Website [5] Kathy Muhlhan Official Website
- Immerse yourself in a vibrant exploration of fashion-and-beauty, as the Niijournal exhibition showcases underrepresented voices in fashion, art, and culture during the Ballarat International Foto Biennale (BIFB).
- Complete your BIFB experience by indulging in food-and-drink offerings from local cafes, pubs, bars, restaurants, and eateries surrounding Ballarat, making it a perfect blend of lifestyle, travel, and home-and-garden adventure.
