[Go Green] Shaping sustainability through photography
“Art should not only reflect the world, it should help shape a more conscious and sustainable future.”
F/262 – Festival Internacional de Fotografia
16 May - 13 September 2026
Caldas Da Rainha , Portugal
F/262 – Festival Internacional de Fotografia is a contemporary photography festival based in Portugal, organised by the non-profit association F/SOS – Fotografia, Solidariedade e Obras Sociais. The festival explores the relationship between image, territory and society, using photography as a tool for critical reflection and social engagement.
Their upcoming 2026 edition focuses on sustainability and circular culture, addressing current environmental and social challenges through artistic practice.
Positioning culture as an active driver of environmental and social change, the festival integrates sustainability across all levels of its activity, from exhibitions and production to education and community engagement.
PHOTOGRAPHY FESTIVAL SUSTAINABILITY HANDBOOK
To translate values into structured action, F/SOS – Stories of Solidarity developed the Photography Festival Sustainability Handbook - a practical, open framework designed specifically for photography festivals.
The handbook was created as a transferable tool to support festivals in building more sustainable, responsible, and transparent practices across governance, operations, and public engagement.
It presents sustainability into action, addressing governance, carbon impact, materials, mobility, and public engagement, supporting festivals in adopting responsible and transparent practices.
Some circular practices include the reuse of exhibition structures, sustainable printing, waste reduction, and environmentally conscious production methods.
WHAT THE HANDBOOK COVERS:
- Governance, vision, and sustainability strategy
- Carbon and footprint management
- Travel, venues, materials, food, and waste
- Artist, supplier, and visitor guidelines
- Practical templates, checklists, and implementation tools
F/262 will serve as its implementation platform, testing and refining these principles through real conditions.
More information on their website.
