We're on

For this reason, the cultural association “La Papessa”, was founded in 2018: its primary activity was giving life to the Biennale of Female Photography. The event aims at filling a substantial gap in the contemporary landscape by collating and displaying a selection of the complex female authorship in photography.

Once every two years, the festival opens Mantua’s doors to the world, curating a series of photo exhibitions - with Alessia Locatelli’s artistic direction - and other collateral events like talks, screenings and workshops. The first of its kind in Italy, the event debuted its first edition on the theme of “Work” in 2020, a topic represented in its multifaceted aspects by women photographers. The festival acts as a platform to support and amplify not just the female gaze and voices but also those of marginalised communities who often see their very existence ignored and questioned. In our approach, culture is an inclusive life space.