Main Projects / Activities

Since 2010, Irfoss has promoted several international expeditions allowing young Italian students and researchers to take part in them. In the last two years, the association has focused on promoting an ethical use of the medium of photography through training and image education courses, both basic and advanced, the organisation of meetings, conferences, seminars and debates with authors and professionals in the field (more than 40 activities per year), as well as the participation in and organisation of exhibitions both in Italy and abroad. In particular:
- Management activities and conventions: each year, Irfoss extends its network with new conventions with national and international bodies, today collaborating with 12 universities throughout Italy, as well as being twinned with festivals on 5 continents and working with cultural enterprises and charities worldwide.
- Awareness-raising and educational activities addressed to citizens: autumn and spring training courses on ‘Theories and Techniques of the Photographic Image’; conferences on ethical and awareness-raising issues; educational seminars in collaboration with the University; thematic and professional workshops with outstanding lecturers;
- Promotion and Dissemination activities: mainly academic articles and reports;
- Participation in charitable activities on specific topics.

Since 2019 Irfoss has been organising IMP International Festival of Photojournalism, the first festival entirely dedicated to the world of photojournalism in Italy: a door, open to the city of Padua, on the stories, methods and approaches of the best international photography, an experience of total immersion in the world of current affairs and photojournalism. Through a wide diversification of the quality events on offer (exhibitions, workshops, guided tours, conferences and debates), IMP aims to transform Padua into an international reference point for the photography sector. Now in its seventh edition, with an average of 12,000 visitors per year, the festival seeks to spread awareness of photographic culture and Italy's photographic heritage by hosting exhibitions and events focusing on photographers and photojournalists and other professionals. Moreover, both the workshop activities and the ‘Talents’ section aim at training and promoting young professionals working in the field of photography.

Since 2023 Irfoss has been promoting the growth and development of the training of young professionals working in the world of photography through the organisation of an annual training course in ‘Visual Journalism and Documentary Photography’. An intensive one-year training course with the most established photojournalists, photo editors and image professionals on the international scene. A school that will allow young people to enter the professional world of visual journalism, mastering its techniques, methods and languages.