Program - Main Auditorium
At MontPhoto Fest, we are proud to present a series of inspiring talks for all nature and photography lovers. This year, we have gathered an outstanding selection of speakers, both national and international, who will share their knowledge and experiences on stage. From world-renowned figures to emerging voices, each talk promises to be a source of inspiration and learning.
We look forward to seeing you at MontPhoto Fest!
Friday
Free admission
Saturday
10€
Sunday
10€
Weekend pass
15€
MontPhoto Community Discount: -50% (maximum 2 entries per member)
Friday 4th
18:00 – 18:15
Welcome and inauguration
18:15 – 18:25
Presentation of the local project Contamination of our environment made by students of the artistic cycle of the Institut Coll i Rodes of Lloret de Mar
18:30 – 19:15
Friday | 18:30 – 19:15
Presentation
Pau de la Calle > Coexist
In his presentation, Pau will explore the coexistence between people and animals in the Gaia Sanctuary and how documentary photography can merge with the Daily News, ensuring that both disciplines enrich each other and remain viable in a context of precariousness of documentary filmmaking.
19:15 – 20:00
Break
20:00 – 21:00
Friday | 20:00 – 21:00
Projection
Documentary-film > Territory
In the mountains of Kyrgyzstan, nomadic shepherds and hunters struggle to coexist with the snow leopard. A Serbian actor, Darko Peric, at the height of his career, embarks on a journey of redemption towards his wild instincts. This film has been nominated for the Golden St. George at the Moscow Film Festival and is the first foreign film to be screened at the St. Petersburg Film Festival.
21:00 – 21:30
Friday | 21:00 – 21:30
Colloquium
Alex Galán and Darko Peric > Director and Star of Territory
After the screening of Territory, Alex Galán and Darko Peric will participate in a discussion where they will share their experience filming in the remote mountains of Kyrgyzstan. Alex and Darko will reveal the challenges and emotions of working in such an inhospitable environment, where nature and ancient traditions intertwine. The audience will have the opportunity to interact directly with them, asking questions and delving into the details of this fascinating film production.
Saturday 5th
10:00 – 10:40
Saturday | 10:00 – 10:40
Presentation
Héctor Cordero > Invisible killers
In his talk Invisible Killers, Héctor Cordero addresses the problem of bird collisions with urban structures, focusing on cities such as New York. Through his photography project, he documents the impact zones, the affected species and the recovery measures, as well as proposing solutions such as the use of treated glass to prevent these collisions that cause thousands of bird deaths each year.
10:45 – 11:25
Saturday | 10:45 – 11:25
Presentation
Matt Maran > Life in a Place of Death
Set in Highgate Cemetery, London. At the heart of this story is the coexistence between humans and non-human animals. Every character and species, from the gravedigger who uses mycelium to bind the soil, to the rescuer who cares for foxes with mange, and the majestic oak tree that feeds on recycled organic matter, plays a crucial role. These interconnected stories paint a portrait of the delicate balance between humans and the natural world.
11:25 – 12:00
Break
12:00 – 12:40
Saturday | 12:00 – 12:40
Presentation
María Contreras Coll > Women Revisiting Religion
Maria Contreras basant-se en la seva investigació finançada per National Geographic narra el seu conflicte amb l’estigma menstrual i com, després de conèixer les tradicions que aïllen dones al Nepal, va iniciar una recerca per entendre si és possible ser feminista i religiosa alhora. A través d’un recorregut per diferents llocs com ara Els EUA i Mèxic, Maria analitza com les dones connecten amb “la divinitat” a través de la natura, i com el territori juga un paper fonamental en la configuració de les persones.
12:45 – 13:30
Saturday | 12:45 – 13:30
Presentation
Sergio Pitamitz > Feathered Stories: The Starling Invasion and the Return of the Northern Bald Ibis
The presentation will feature images from two reports published in National Geographic. The first documents the murmurations of European starlings in Milan, Rome and Puglia, where a record concentration of more than five million birds was recorded. The second chronicles the reintroduction of the northern hermit ibis in Morocco, Egypt, Spain, Italy and Austria, highlighting an international effort to save this endangered species.
13:30 – 16:00
Break
16:00 – 16:30
Saturday | 16:00 – 16:30
Presentation
Marta Bretó > About foxes and humans. The story of Iceland’s first settler
After 10 years photographing Icelandic arctic foxes, Marta will talk to us about nature and adventure. About hunting and survival. About light and darkness. About foxes and humans. A love letter to a misunderstood inhabitant of this majestic land.
16:35 – 17:35
Saturday | 16:35 – 17:35
Presentation
Jaime Rojo > Saving the Monarchs
A visual tour of the life cycle and migration of monarch butterflies, with a special emphasis on the environmental challenges they face and the efforts to protect them. Jaime Rojo’s photographs capture the beauty of these iconic butterflies and serve as a call to action for their conservation. This report was featured on the cover of the international edition of National Geographic in January 2024.
17:35 – 19:00
Break
Saturday | 19:00 – 20:30
MontPhoto Contest 2024 Gala & awards ceremony
21:30
Saturday | 21:30
Gala dinner (informal, cocktail style)
The ideal opportunity to chat, meet other photography and conservation enthusiasts, share experiences and make new friends in an informal and friendly atmosphere.
Sunday 6th
10:00 – 10:40
Sunday | 10:00 – 10:40
Presentation
David Hup & Michiel van Noppen > A Bear in the Backyard
When night falls and the streets become silent in Romania, bears take over in search of food. As ancient forests disappear, brown bears are forced to look for food elsewhere, leading to conflicts between humans and bears. Villages are raided, tourist groups attacked, and shepherds drive their sheep to the mountaintops to protect them. However, Romanians also revere the iconic bear during winter traditions.
10:45 – 11:25
Sunday | 10:45 – 11:25
Presentation
Arturo Rodríguez > Exploring the Dark: Techniques and Challenges of Speleological Photography
Arturo Rodríguez will present for the first time at Montphoto his unpublished talk about his experience documenting the volcanic tubes formed after the eruption of the Tajogaite volcano in La Palma, for National Geographic. Arturo will reflect on the obstacles overcome and the passion needed to capture unique visual stories in extreme environments.
11:25 – 12:00
Break
12:00 – 12:40
Sunday | 12:00 – 12:40
Presentation
Kristel Schneider > Riverscape project
For three years, Kristel explored different parts of the river, from the upper to the lower regions, to gain a comprehensive understanding of the river’s unique characteristics. Through her images, Kristel invites viewers to discover the river’s subtle colours and shapes, the variety in the water’s movements and the richness of the vegetation.
12:45 – 13:25
Sunday | 12:45 – 13:25
Presentation
Ugo Mellone > Monk seal. The mystery of the Mediterranean
The Mediterranean, known for its turquoise waters and rich history, also evokes unresolved conflicts. Yet its waters are home to whales and seals, its islands are home to unique species, while wolves and bears explore its most remote beaches. Her report highlights the monk seal, a mammal that, although huge, remains invisible. In this unprecedented portrait, aesthetics and scientific rigor are combined to reveal its secrets hidden in wild cliffs.
13:30 – 13:45
Closing ceremony
