The launch of this new photography festival reinforces Palma’s commitment to culture, creativity and quality urban tourism.
Today at FITUR, Palma presented the first edition of Mallorca PhotoFest (PHOF), the new international festival of photography and contemporary imagery that will be held from 25 April to 30 August 2026 throughout the island of Mallorca. This festival is part of the city’s bid to become European Capital of Culture 2031, as mentioned today by the Mayor of Palma, Jaime Martínez Llabrés.
Promoted by Art Palma Contemporani —the association of art galleries in Palma— Mallorca PhotoFest is a biennial event that aims to consolidate the city and the island as a leading cultural platform in the Mediterranean, placing photography and contemporary imagery at the heart of the destination’s cultural narrative.
The festival revives and updates the legacy of Palma Photo, a project that for more than a decade positioned Mallorca on the international map of contemporary photography, and adapts it to the current context, marked by the omnipresence of the image and the need to foster a critical and conscious gaze.
The PHOF is yet another example of Palma’s bid to become European Capital of Culture 2031; an innovative bid which, in the words of Martínez Llabrés, is a manifestation of the innovative character that extends throughout the island of Mallorca and the Balearic archipelago. ‘It is a project that, whatever happens with the bid, will be our roadmap for the future, because it is at the forefront and embraces art as a strategy for social cohesion, framed by creativity, innovation and excellence,’ says Martínez.
A festival that spans the entire island
Mallorca PhotoFest will take place simultaneously in Palma and numerous municipalities across Mallorca, with a programme that includes exhibitions, workshops, conferences, round tables and educational activities, both in Palma and in numerous municipalities across the island, thanks to the collaboration of museums, art centres, foundations, universities and public and private institutions, in dialogue with the territory and the local cultural fabric. It also has the support and involvement of the Consell de Mallorca, the Ajuntament de Palma, the Institut d’Estudis Baleàrics and the Fundació Turisme Palma 365, among other entities.
The inaugural exhibition will take place on 25 April at La Misericòrdia, which will also host exhibitions linked to the Mallorca Photography Awards and emerging talent projects. The festival will also feature the participation of leading cultural centres and museums, as well as outstanding projects by internationally renowned artists.
Among the most relevant proposals are participatory initiatives such as PHOTO STREET, a photography competition with an urban exhibition in Palma, and PHOTO BOOK, a section dedicated to the photobook as a work of art. Likewise, venues such as Es Baluard will host PHOTOTALKS, a series of conferences and round tables focusing on the major themes of contemporary photography.
Culture and creativity as strategic pillars of the destination
The presentation of Mallorca PhotoFest at FITUR is part of Palma’s strategy to strengthen its position as an urban, creative and cultural destination, capable of attracting visitors interested in cultural experiences throughout the year and generating a positive impact on the region.
Beyond its artistic programme, PHOF is an invitation to experience Mallorca in a different way: through photography, contemporary thought and the dialogue between culture, landscape and society. A festival that is committed to deseasonalisation, territorial distribution and an authentic cultural experience, reinforcing Mallorca’s appeal as a leading cultural destination in the Mediterranean.