Getxophoto Image Festival

Overview

Created and managed by the collective Begihandi, Getxophoto is an international image festival held annually since 2007 in Getxo (Basque Country, Spain), located approximately 15 kilometers from Bilbao. The festival is specifically designed around the defense and activation of public space—both physical and digital—transforming the city into a walkable, open-air gallery route that can be visited in 4 to 5 hours. Recognizing environmental impact, Getxophoto operates under a certified sustainability plan (recognized by Erronka Garbia / Basque Government) that includes eco-ink printing, reusable infrastructures, public transit promotion, and a photo-canvas upcycling/recycling program in partnership with studios like Bokashi.

Mission

Getxophoto aims to use visual culture as a platform for addressing contemporary social, political, and environmental challenges. By prioritizing outdoor installations over traditional gallery spaces, the festival seeks to counter the homogenization and privatization of public space, generating horizontal, participatory relationships between artists and everyday audiences. Grounded in commitments to gender equality, intersectionality, sustainability, and local community integration, Getxophoto strives to strengthen the social fabric of Getxo while maintaining a global artistic outlook.

Programs / Opportunities

• Outdoor & Public Exhibitions: Site-specific open-air image installations, large-scale prints, and immersive architectural displays integrated into the urban landscape of Getxo.
• International Open Calls & Artist Features: Annual thematic calls inviting visual artists from around the world to present work in dialogue with the festival’s annual curatorial concept.

Target Community

• International Visual Artists & Photographers: Global lens-based practitioners, digital artists, and visual storytellers at all career stages.