Storytelling Through the Lens

• This workshop is open to anyone passionate about storytelling, whether you have prior experience in photography or are exploring visual storytelling for the first time. We welcome anyone curious about using images to craft narratives. The focus is not on technical expertise but on discovering how to tell compelling stories through photography in an engaging, hands-on environment.  
• It's crucial to carefully research and present a project idea you plan to develop during the workshop. The project must be achievable within the limited time and should center on people and storytelling. This will play a significant role in the selection process, helping ensure you're well-equipped to make the most of this unique opportunity.
• If you're thinking about applying, we recommend that you take a close look at the type of photography that Sven does. This isn't a workshop for nature, landscape, architecture, or abstract photography. Sven's photography always focuses on people, which is what this workshop is about.
• The workshop will be in English, so it's important that you're fluent in the language.
• You'll be using analogue instant cameras and film, which the workshop will provide.
• Participation in the workshop is free. The "What to expect if selected" section provides details about what is included, and we recommend reading it carefully.

• Each morning, we'll have group meetings with open discussions about the photos you've taken the day before and talks on various aspects of professional photography.
• You'll have time to work on your projects in the afternoons. You can do this independently, in groups, or one-on-one with Sven. The goal is to help you find your unique style and voice and develop it consistently throughout the workshop.
• Toward the end of the program, you'll work on your journal, using the photos you've taken during the workshop to craft a visual narrative.

If you're interested in applying, please submit the following information in English by clicking the application button below. The deadline is June 5, 2025, at 23:59 CEST - Central European Summer Time.

• Personal Information (Name, Age, Email, Nationality, etc.)
• Academic and Professional Experiences
• Motivation Letter: tell us why you think this workshop will be suitable for your personal development (max 500 characters)
• Project Proposal: an idea for a project you wish to work on, focusing on people and storytelling (max 500 characters)
• Previous Work and or Portfolio: briefly describe your past work or provide a link to your portfolio
• Portrait Photo for your accreditation, if selected

• May 13, 2025 – Application process opens
• June 5, 2025 – Application deadline (23:59 CET)
• Around mid-June 2025 – Notification of selection
• August 10, 2025 – Arrival in Locarno
• August 10, 2025 – First group meeting at 6 pm
• August 11 - 16, 2025 – Workshop and participation at the Locarno Film Festival
• August 17, 2025 – Departure from Locarno

The participation is free and includes:

• Workshop with Sven Creutzmann, including all materials and equipment (Instant Camera, Film, Journal)
• Accommodation with breakfast at the ApartHotel al Lago Locarno from Sunday, August 10 to Sunday, August 17 (7 nights) in a double or triple room. Each participant will have to share the room with other participants of the same gender.
• Locarno Film Festival Accreditation, which includes admission to all screenings at the Locarno Film Festival
• Access to the activities of the Film Festival's Factory
• Networking events
• Free transportation throughout the Ticino canton
• Food vouchers covering a fixed amount in CHF per day. Participants will have to pay the outstanding balance for each meal.

Participants are expected to make travel arrangements and cover the travel expenses to and from Locarno.

It's an intense, week-long dive into visual storytelling using analog instant cameras, set during the vibrant Locarno Film Festival. You'll learn how to connect with people, gain their trust, and tell their stories through photos. No landscapes, no abstracts—this is all about human connection.

No! This workshop is for anyone passionate about storytelling or curious about translating ideas into images. You don't need previous experience in photography; the workshop helps you explore the visual language of storytelling in a supportive and hands-on way.

Not necessarily. Formal qualifications aren't required, but we encourage you to include the experiences most relevant to the spirit of the workshop, whether academic, professional, or personal. It could be anything from work in storytelling or photography, to community engagement or creative projects. A solid background is welcome, as is genuine motivation and a clear desire to grow through this opportunity.

The workshop is designed for participants between 18 and 30, strongly emphasizing engaging young talents within this range. While this remains our primary focus, we may consider exceptional applications from individuals slightly outside this range if they demonstrate outstanding motivation and a deep connection to the program's goals.

We'd love to see work that showcases your unique perspective and voice! It can include photography, short videos, zines, essays, social media projects, or anything that demonstrates how you engage with and observe the world around you.

Please provide all your work as a link (e.g., Google Drive, Canva, personal website, or similar) rather than as a PDF to make it easier for us to review your material.

Tell us why you're interested in the workshop and what you aim to achieve. If you don't have formal photography experience, explain your desire to use the camera as a tool for storytelling. Share your passion for engaging with people and how this workshop fits into your creative journey. Focus on your enthusiasm and how you believe the experience will help you grow. Keep it specific and to the point (max 500 characters).

Your project proposal should outline the idea you wish to work on during the workshop. Think about a story you want to tell through photography that focuses on people. Describe how you plan to approach the project. Make sure the proposal is realistic and achievable within the one-week timeframe of the workshop. (Max 500 characters).

The application deadline is June 5, 2025, at 23:59 (Central European Summer Time, CEST)

No late submissions will be accepted, regardless of time zones. After the deadline, all applications will be reviewed, and selected participants will be notified via email around mid-June. Please ensure your contact information is accurate, and remember to check your inbox.

No. The workshop provides all the necessary equipment, including instant cameras, film, and materials. You just need to bring your vision, passion, and curiosity.

You'll need to arrive on August 10, check into the accommodation, and be ready for the first group meeting at 6 pm that evening. The workshop runs from August 11 to 16. Hotel Check-Out is on August 17. All participants will stay in shared rooms at the ApartHotel al Lago. 

Yes, you can. However, any additional nights must be booked and paid for at your expense.

No. The workshop requires full participation from start to finish. Each day is designed to build upon the previous one, and the shared experience with other participants is key to the program.

No. All participants are required to stay in the official accommodation. The group dynamic and shared experience are part of what makes this workshop so special.

You'll need to arrange and pay for your transportation. If you arrive at Milan Malpensa Airport, you'll receive a transportation voucher with your accreditation to cover the journey to and from Locarno. All other core expenses (accommodation, food vouchers, festival accreditation, equipment, and public transportation in Ticino) are included once you arrive.