About Us

Founded in 2005, the Ballarat International Foto Biennale is Australia’s most significant and prestigious photographic festival. The not-for-profit event is held in the historic town of Ballarat, immersing the city in photographic art across its galleries, laneways and cultural spaces. Now in its 19th year, the 60-day event attracts incredible international and Australian photographers, enriching the cultural landscape of regional Victoria every two years.

Ballarat International Foto Biennale opens the conversation about photography as an art form to a wider audience, championing the work of local, national, and international photographers, also offering masterclasses, competitions, community programs, interactive exhibitions, and more.

The Ballarat International Foto Biennale is currently developing a permanent gallery and art institution. The National Centre for Photography will be located in a beautiful heritage-listed former bank building in the heart of Ballarat.

Jeff Moorfoot OAM is the founder of the organisation, starting the event in the regional Victorian town of Daylesford before it relocated to Ballarat as the festival expanded. Jeff retired in 2015 as the driving force behind Australia’s largest and most comprehensive international festival of photography. Future festivals have featured renowned artists including David LaChapelle, Liu Bolin and The Linda McCartney: Retrospective.

Since its inception, the Biennale has seen audiences grow to over 240,000 and has contributed more than $17 million in direct economic impact.

Ballarat International Foto Biennale is an invited member of the International Biennale Association and led the formation of the Asia Pacific Photoforum. It is the only Oceanic Member of the Festival of Light and is now in the process of establishing a National Centre for Photography (NCFP) in Ballarat.

2005 to 2015 Jeff Moorfoot OAM – founder and Artistic Director

2016 to 2021 Fiona Sweet – Artistic Director and CEO

2022 to current Vanessa Gerrans – Artistic Director and CEO

Our Supporters

All of our supporters receive tax-deductible receipts for their donations. Government organisations (local, state and federal) and Trusts and Foundations receive detailed acquittal reports. All corporate sponsors are contracted and receive a report on the marketing outcomes of the festival.

The 11th Ballarat International Foto Biennale will take place in 2025.

Our Team

Vanessa Gerrans
Chief Executive Officer
Kate O’Hehir
General Manager
Christine McFetridge
Education & Engagement Coordinator
Southern Impact
Installation
Half Eaten Donut
Digital Marketing Agency
Efront
Web Developer
Design by Wolf
Web Design
Nevetts Lawyers
Legal
Ali Webb, House of Webb
Publicity
Rob Florence
Auditor
Paul Tant
Bookkeeping

Board

Alicia Linley
Chair
Leila Chalk
Secretary
Daniel Groch
Treasurer
Gayle Boschert
Zoë Croggon
Nici Cumpston OAM
Georgia Manifold
James Remington
Jane Ross
Joseph van Dyk
Chris Whitefield

Ambassadors

The Hon. Steve Bracks AC
Tammy Gilson
Her Honour Judge Sara Hinchey
Mayor Cr Des Hudson OAM
Peter Jopling AM KC
Julie Kantor AO
Natalie King OAM
The Hon. Robert Knowles AO
Kate Torney OAM
James Valentine

National Centre for Photography Subcommittee

Gayle Boschert
Chair
Vanessa Gerrans
CEO
Leila Chalk
BIFB Board
Joseph van Dyk
BIFB Board
Craig Fletcher
former BIFB Board
Paul Minifie
RMIT
Chris Whitefield
BIFB Board