About Us

The Ballarat International Foto Biennale (Ballarat Foto.) is a world-class arts organisation delivering an internationally significant photographic arts festival, activating the city of Ballarat and enriching the cultural landscape of Victoria and Australia, every two years.

2025 is the 11th anniversary of the festival which was established in 2005. Since its inception, Ballarat Foto has seen audiences grow to over 250,000 and has contributed more than $28 million in direct economic impact.

Over 60 days from August to October Ballarat Foto delivers

– A curated Core Program showcasing Australian and international artists;
– An Open Program of new artists;
– Workshops and public programs, artist-in-residence and more.

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, The Linda McCartney: Retrospective and Platon’s People Power.

The Ballarat International Foto Biennale is also 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.

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 23 August to 19 October 2025.

Our Team

Vanessa Gerrans
Chief Executive Officer
Kate O’Hehir
General Manager
Christine McFetridge
Education & Public Engagement Coordinator
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
Gayle Boschert
Nici Cumpston OAM
Georgia Manifold
James Remington
Joseph van Dyk
Chris Whitefield

Ambassadors

The Hon. Steve Bracks AC
Her Honour Judge Sara Hinchey
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