From May 28 to 31, 2026, Brussels will once again become the epicenter of street photography, celebrating this milestone with an expanded program of exhibitions, workshops, talks, and photo walks and a stellar line-up of photographers and industry experts. For this special occasion, BSPF takes over the heart of Brussels: The Bourse and Halles Saint-Géry.
“We set out to create a space where street photography could thrive—not just as an art form, but as a way to connect people through shared human experiences,” reflects Sigrid Debusschere, director of BSPF. “This year, we’re not only celebrating the festival’s 10th anniversary but also the incredible community that has grown around it. Street photography is about moments fleeting, raw, and real and BSPF is where those moments come together.”
EXHIBITIONS
The heart of BSPF remains its main exhibition, which takes place in The Bourse and Halles Saint-Géry, showcasing a curated selection of powerful street photography from the finalists of this year’s open call. The exhibition features works from both Belgian and international photographers in a mix of singular images and cohesive series, offering a diverse and dynamic perspective on life in public spaces.
To mark its 10th anniversary, BSPF is placing Brussels itself at the center of the celebration with a dedicated open call “Moments between Monuments”, focused on the UNESCO-listed Grand Place and its surrounding perimeter. In collaboration with The City Hall, the festival invites photographers to capture the soul of this iconic part of Brussels, with its stately architecture and bustling atmosphere, but also the surrounding streets, hidden passages, markets, and squares where the everyday rhythms of Brussels unfold.
A STELLAR LINEUP OF SPEAKERS AND EVENTS
BSPF 2026 welcomes an impressive roster of Belgian and international photographers, including Matt Stuart (UK), known for capturing humorous and surprising moments in everyday urban life; Julia Coddington (Australia), celebrated for her layered style and images that are full of life; and Rhiannon Adam (UK), whose research-led long-term projects feature complex narratives relating to social injustice, outsider communities and abuse of power. From Belgium, we welcome Stig De Block, whose culturally referenced practice is grounded in heritage values, intention and realness; Jeroen Hanselaer, whose work embraces the full spectrum of the medium; and the Brussels-based community of 1000streets.
The festival will feature workshops, talks, portfolio reviews, book signings, and photo walks led by industry experts and professionals, offering participants the chance to hone their skills and explore Brussels through a photographic lens, while also providing a platform for connection and dialogue about the future of street photography and its role in contemporary visual culture.
What makes BSPF special is the mix of learning and sharing,” says Debusschere. “It’s where photographers of all levels come together to exchange ideas, discover new perspectives, and leave inspired by both the city and each other.”
JOSEF KOUDELKA GUEST OF HONOR
As an incredible highlight of BSPF’s 2026 edition, the festival welcomes Josef Koudelka, one of the most iconic photographers of our time, as its guest of honor. Koudelka will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his extraordinary contributions to photography during a special evening at Brussels City Hall on May 30, 2026. The event will also feature an interview with the photographer and the announcement of this year’s competition winners.
Josef Koudelka was born in Czechoslovakia in 1938. He began his career as an aeronautical engineer, and started photographing Romani communities in his spare time in 1962, before fully dedicating himself to photography in the late 1960s. However, it was his powerful images of the 1968 Soviet invasion of Prague, published anonymously under the initials “P.P.” (Prague Photographer), that brought him international acclaim. These photographs, smuggled out of Czechoslovakia and later awarded the Robert Capa Gold Medal, became iconic symbols of resistance and photojournalism.
After seeking political asylum in England in 1970, Koudelka joined Magnum Photos and continued to produce influential bodies of work, including Gypsies (1975) and Exiles (1988). His photography is known for its striking compositions, emotional depth, and exploration of themes such as alienation, resilience, and the human condition. Over the decades, Koudelka’s work has been exhibited at prestigious institutions such as the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Hayward Gallery in London, and the Palais de Tokyo in Paris. His contributions to photography have earned him numerous awards, including the Prix Nadar, the Grand Prix Henri Cartier-Bresson, and the Hasselblad Foundation International Award.
In recent years, Koudelka has focused on panoramic landscapes, documenting the European country-side and conflict zones such as the Israeli-Palestinian border. His ability to capture both the fragility and endurance of human existence remains a defining feature of his work.
ABOUT BSPF
The Brussels Street Photography Festival (BSPF) is an annual event dedicated to promoting street photography as an art form, an urban research tool, and a means of cultural communication. Founded in 2016 by Dani Osorio and the association Cakri, BSPF began as Belgium’s first festival to spotlight street photography, growing from an online community into a global platform for photographers from around the world.
Since 2021, BSPF has been an initiative of BREEDBEELD vzw, a support center for photographers, filmmakers, and media artists in Flanders and Brussels. Under BREEDBEELD’s stewardship, the festival has continued to flourish, maintaining its commitment to connect emerging and established photographers, celebrate accessibility, and inspire new creative work. Today, BSPF offers a platform for dialogue, inspiration, and the discovery of new perspectives. The festival’s international scope and commitment to community have made it a cornerstone of the global street photography scene.
“What makes BSPF special is its ability to bring together people from all walks of life united by their love for photography,” says Debusschere. “We’ve seen the festival evolve into a space where established photographers and emerging talents can share, learn, and grow together. Brussels, with its rich cultural tapestry, provides the perfect setting for this exchange.”
For more information about the festival, visit www.bspfestival.org
