Over two decades, the Getxophoto festival has managed to maintain its freshness and enthusiasm through continuous team renewal. By rotating artistic direction and staff, they ensure the incorporation of new ideas and fresh perspectives, despite the additional effort this entails.
This year marks the third and final cycle for the current head of artistic direction, whose work has been described as "complete." Through the trilogy "Pausa," "Play," and "Reset," the festival has aimed to take a breath, activate, and restart the system with the goal of improvement. All participating artists have worked around this theme.
“"Getxophoto is an independent initiative, organized by a cultural association, and every year we start from scratch looking for funding. We believe it is time to reflect and decide the future of the festival together."
To mark its anniversary, the festival will organize a General Assembly, bringing together followers, visitors, and current and former edition managers. This meeting will serve for a serious reflection on the festival's future, considering the annual difficulties in securing funding.
Additionally, the festival will make its twenty-year digital archive public, which compiles works by artists from around the world, and will organize a physical exhibition in the Algorta market, the same location where the festival's first exhibition was held.
This year's edition will also pay tribute to twenty-year-olds who were born at the same time as Getxophoto, with portraits taken by photographers of the same age. Likewise, the Mermaid of the Old Port, one of the festival's most emblematic elements, will be removed, but a tribute will be paid to it through a photocall.
The festival shifted its celebration date from autumn to spring approximately four years ago, for logistical and family reasons, and this change has proven successful. Holding it between June and July is more viable for the organizers.
“"Artificial intelligence will change everything, but it will be another tool for creating images. We, as always, will try to give it a twist."
Regarding the future of artificial intelligence, the festival defines itself as an image festival, not just a photography festival, and they view artificial intelligence as another tool for image creation, always seeking an innovative perspective.
The festival will be open for a month, with the main venues being the Begoña Galleries and the Algorta market. Guided tours and collaboration with local bars will also be maintained, so that the festival serves as an excuse to stroll through the town and observe things more calmly.
