International Image Festival in Manizales: 2026 Agenda, Venues, Exhibitions and Workshops

If you live in Manizales or are planning to come in September, get ready: the city becomes the epicenter of Colombia's most important visual reflection for eight days. The International Image Festival celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2026, and it does so with an edition that promises to be historic, with its main venue at the Universidad de Caldas and an extension in Bogotá. This is not just another art fair; it is a laboratory where design, science, and technology intersect to ask who we are through the images we consume and create.

Whether you are a visual arts student, an empirical photographer, a designer, a filmmaker, or simply a curious person who wants to see things you don't see every day, this article is for you. Here we tell you what's coming from September 11 to 18, 2026, where things will be, how much it costs, and how to get around a city that, during that week, breathes art from every corner. And here's a tip that will save you headaches: workshops sell out fast, so the time to secure your spot is now.

What is the International Image Festival and why does it matter?

The International Image Festival is not an improvised event. It was born a quarter of a century ago in Manizales as an initiative of the Universidad de Caldas, and since then it has established itself as a pioneering space in Latin America for thinking about art and technology together. It is not just an art gallery; it is a meeting point where academics, artists, and ordinary citizens discuss how images—from a documentary photograph to a generative artificial intelligence—are shaping our society.

This year, under the motto "Images That Think Us", the festival celebrates its 25th anniversary with a program that extends between Bogotá and Manizales. The central idea is to question the bidirectional relationship we have with images: we not only see them, but they also configure us, define us, and in many cases, control us. The program includes exhibitions, conferences, workshops, and a film showcase that explores these tensions from multiple perspectives.

For Manizales, this festival is a silent pride. While other cities in the country focus on fashion fairs or massive concerts, here the bet is on an event that attracts creators from around the world and positions the city as a hub of critical thought. It is a unique opportunity to see the work of international artists without having to travel to Bogotá or Europe, and for locals to realize the level of cultural production brewing in the coffee region.

The festival's relevance in the current context

We live surrounded by images: on our phones, on the street, in advertising, on social media. But we rarely stop to think about where they come from, who created them, and what interests they hide. The festival raises precisely that reflection, but not from boring theory, but from practice and experimentation. At a time when artificial intelligence is changing the rules of the game of visual creation, events like this become essential to understand what lies ahead.

Furthermore, the festival maintains an inclusive spirit. Although it has a strong academic component, many of the exhibitions and screenings are free admission, allowing anyone in Manizales to approach the venues and enjoy the works without needing to be an expert in contemporary art. It is an event that democratizes access to culture and turns the city into a large open-air museum for a week.

2026 Agenda: dates, venues, and what you can't miss

The 25th edition of the festival will take place from September 11 to 18, 2026. The program is dense and varied, so we recommend planning ahead. The venues are distributed throughout downtown Manizales and some surrounding areas, making it easy to walk between them or use public transportation. Below, we detail the main spaces and what you will find in each one.

Teatro Los Fundadores: the heart of the festival

Located in downtown Manizales, on Carrera 23 with Calle 50, the Teatro Los Fundadores is historically the epicenter of the most important keynote conferences and film screenings. During the festival, this stage hosts the international guests who give the central talks. If you want to see the most recognized artists and thinkers in the circuit, this is the place. Conferences are usually held in the afternoon and evening, and although some require prior registration, others are open to the public until capacity is reached.

The theater's acoustics are excellent and the ticket price is quite affordable. However, we recommend arriving at least 20 minutes early, because keynote conferences tend to fill up quickly, especially those given by internationally renowned artists. The atmosphere is formal but relaxed: you don't need to dress up, but don't arrive in shorts either. Jeans and a clean shirt are enough.

Centro Cultural de Manizales and Museo de Artes de Caldas

A few blocks from the theater, the Centro Cultural de Manizales and the Museo de Artes de Caldas become the festival's main exhibition halls. This is where the largest and most ambitious art displays are mounted, including interactive installations, video art pieces, and research-creation projects. This year, with the theme of "images that think us," installations using artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and other emerging technologies are expected to question our perception.

Admission to the exhibitions in these spaces is completely free. It is a perfect opportunity to go without rushing, explore the halls calmly, and let yourself be surprised. Many of the works are interactive, so don't be surprised if you see people touching screens or putting on virtual reality headsets. That's part of the experience. We suggest dedicating at least two hours to tour both venues at a leisurely pace.

Alianza Francesa de Manizales and other allied spaces

The Alianza Francesa de Manizales, located on Carrera 22 with Calle 39, is another key venue. This space usually hosts more intimate exhibitions, talks with artists, and auteur film screenings. The Alianza has a long tradition of supporting visual arts in the city, and its participation in the festival is an important bridge between the local and French scenes. Other venues also join, such as the Parque Explora (although this one is better known in Medellín, in Manizales the festival relies on spaces like the Exploratorio Taller Público de Experimentación) and the Chec Centro Hidroeléctrico de Caldas, which usually hosts site-specific interventions.

It is important to check the day-by-day program, because some events at these venues have limited capacity and require prior registration. The good news is that most exhibitions remain open throughout the festival week, so if you miss something one day, you can return the next. The network of venues is mostly walkable, and if not, a taxi from downtown to any point will cost you no more than 10,000 or 15,000 Colombian pesos.

Film showcase and specialized workshops

The festival's film section is one of the most anticipated. It is not commercial cinema; it is a curated selection of experimental films, documentaries, and short films that explore the relationship between image, technology, and society. Screenings take place at different venues, including Teatro Los Fundadores and the Alianza Francesa, and are usually free or have a symbolic cost. This year, for the 25th anniversary, a retrospective of the most important works that have passed through the festival over these two and a half decades is expected.

The workshops are another fundamental piece. They range from analog photography to image creation with artificial intelligence, including experimental animation, interface design, and performance. They are taught by national and international artists and have a cost that varies depending on duration and level. However, spots fly. If you are interested in one, we recommend registering as soon as registrations open, which is usually a month before the event. Don't leave this until the last minute, because you will be left out.

Prices, registrations, and how to get your tickets

One of the great advantages of the International Image Festival is that it is quite economically accessible compared to other cultural events in the country. Most exhibitions and film screenings are free admission, while keynote conferences and workshops have a moderate cost. Below, we give you an approximate breakdown of what you can expect to spend, with reference prices from August 2026.

Costs of conferences and workshops

Keynote conferences at Teatro Los Fundadores usually cost between 20,000 and 40,000 Colombian pesos per event, depending on the guest. Workshops, which can last between 4 hours and 3 days, have prices ranging from

How to get there

...

Tips for attendees