A key moment in the trajectory is the joint pitch. From the large group of participating students, five makers per academy are selected. These 45 students come together at one of the partner academies, where they present their work to each other and to the BredaPhoto team. It is an exchange in which ideas are sharpened and new connections are formed. Based on these presentations, BredaPhoto selects a number of projects for exhibition at the festival. In addition, all 45 participants are featured in a collective presentation at the festival. This creates a rich overview of emerging image-makers and their diverse perspectives on the festival theme.
ITP
International Talent Programme
Talent development is an essential part of BredaPhoto. Since 2010, we have collaborated with various European art academies in a program that gives emerging artists the space to develop their voice and present their work to a broad audience.
Over the course of a year, more than 200 students work on a project within the festival’s theme, receive feedback from curators and tutors, inspire one another, and expand their networks. Ultimately, three students are selected to present their work at the festival. These winners receive the same level of attention in art production and communication as the established artists—one of the reasons why both academies and students are so enthusiastic about the program.
Vivian Bax Academy Visit 2026
Joint Pitch
Participating Academies
The Netherlands
• St. Joost School of Art & Design, Breda
• KABK Den Haag
Belgium:
• KASK, Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp
• LUCA School of Arts campus NARAFI
• LUCA School of Arts campus Sint Lukas Brussels
Germany
• University of Applied Sciences Faculty of Art and Design Bielefeld
• University of the Arts, Bremen
Hungary
• Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design (MOME), Budapest
Finland
• LAB University of Applied Sciences, Lahti
Springboard for Emerging Talent
Through this approach, the academy project has grown into a springboard for a new generation of photographers. For visitors, the program offers a unique opportunity to discover their work. During the festival, we organize an extensive public program including portfolio reviews, talks, tours, and encounters with photographers and curators. This program is accessible to emerging talent, as well as to other audiences within the festival.
