What is the International Journalism Festival (IJF)?
The biggest annual media event in Europe. The 2025 festival had 214 sessions and 580 speakers in the 5-day programme.
When and where does IJF take place?
Every April in Perugia, Italy. All IJF venues are situated in the stunning setting of the historic town centre of Perugia. The next festival (the twentienth edition) will take place from Wednesday 15 to Saturday 18 April 2026. The English-language part of the festival programme will be concentrated on Thursday 16, Friday 17 and Saturday 18 April.
I want to attend IJF; what must I do?
Nothing. Just come to Perugia and enjoy the festival. All IJF sessions are free entry for all attendees, without tickets and without registration.
I want to see a specific IJF session; what must I do to be sure of getting in?
Entry to all sessions is on a first-come-first-served basis. To guarantee entry you should arrive before the start of the session.
Where can I stay during IJF?
There are many hotels and other forms of accommodation in and around Perugia. We recommend that you book your room early.
I want to be an IJF speaker; what must I do?
The deadline for receipt of proposals is 31 December 2025. If your proposal is accepted, you will receive a reply by the close of Sunday 11 January 2026. Details on how to make proposals will be posted on the festival website in due course.
I want to be an IJF volunteer; what must I do?
The deadline for receipt of candidatures is 31 December 2025. If your candidature is accepted, you will receive a reply by the close of 15 January 2026. Details on how to send in your candidature will be posted on the festival website in due course.
I want to propose a session (panel discussion, interview, presentation, etc) for inclusion in the full festival programme; what must I do?
The deadline for receipt of proposals is 31 December 2025. If your proposal is accepted, you will receive a reply by the close of Sunday 11 January 2026. Details on how to make proposals will be posted on the festival website in due course.
I want to propose a side event (aperitivo, meet-up, presentation, etc) for inclusion in the festival side events programme; what must I do?
Write to Chris. There is no deadline for receipt of proposals. We recommend that you book your side event venue early.
I want a press pass for IJF; what must I do?
The deadline for receipt of requests for a press pass is Wednesday 15 April 2026. Details on how to make a request will be posted on the festival website in due course.
My company/institution/organisation is interested in IJF sponsorship or partnership opportunities; who should I contact?
Write to Chris.
What is the link to the IJF speaker list?
The initial 2026 speaker list will be online in January 2026. The definitive 2026 speaker list will be online in March 2026. For reference, here are the speaker lists year by year of previous editions of the festival.
What is the link to the IJF programme?
The partial and provisional 2026 programme will be online in February 2026. The definitive 2026 programme will be online in March 2026. For reference, here are the e-brochures and programmes year by year of previous editions of the festival.
How can I stay updated about IJF?
By subscribing to our newsletter, by following our Telegram channel, or by joining the conversation on Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram. There is also our weekly roundup of media news published on the festival website. The hashtag for the 2026 festival is #ijf26.
Are IJF sessions live-streamed?
Yes, all festival sessions (with the exception of the clinics, the film walks, and sessions where one of the speakers has requested that the session not be live-streamed) are live-streamed. Live-streaming and the associated on-demand video are embedded at the top of each session page in the festival programme and at the bottom of each speaker profile on the festival speakers page. You can also follow the live-streaming on the festival YouTube channel.
I want to watch the video of a specific IJF session; where can I find it?
There are 3 ways to locate the video of any festival session from 2013 to 2025.
1. Via the online speaker list:
Videos of all sessions in which any given speaker has taken part from 2013 to 2025 are embedded at the bottom of their speaker profile. See the speaker lists year by year of previous editions of the festival. Click on any speaker (in the speaker list of any year) to see the videos of all their appearances in all the festivals in which they have taken part. Note that there are no videos of the 2020 and 2021 festivals due to their cancellation. For the 2026 festival, videos will be embedded immediately after the end of each session.
2. Via the online video platform:
Videos of most sessions from 2013 to 2025 have been organised category by category and year by year in the online video platform. Additional videos such as off-session interviews of festival speakers are also available. Note that there are no videos of the 2020 and 2021 festivals due to their cancellation. For the 2026 festival, videos will be embedded immediately after the end of each session.
3. Via the online programme:
Each session from 2013 to 2025 has its video embedded at the top of its session page. See the programmes year by year of previous editions of the festival. Click on any session (in the programme of any year) to see its video. Note that there are no videos of the 2020 and 2021 festivals due to their cancellation. For the 2026 festival, videos will be embedded immediately after end of each session.
In what language are IJF sessions held? Is simultaneous translation provided?
All sessions are held in English or Italian, depending on session speaker composition. Simultaneous translation will not be provided.
What about Wi-Fi for IJF attendees?
A dedicated Wi-Fi connection for IJF attendees is provided. The service is free. All venues at the 2026 festival will provide this service.
Who organises IJF?
IJF is totally independent and has no affiliation with any media organisation. It was founded in 2006 by Arianna Ciccone and Christopher Potter who remain the two IJF directors and who are in charge of all aspects of IJF. There is no IJF advisory board or executive committee.
Who pays for IJF?
All IJF sessions are free entry for all attendees. In consequence, ticket revenue is zero. IJF revenue comes from sponsorships, philanthropic donations and institutional partnerships. 2025 IJF supporters included Craig Newmark Philanthropies, Google News Initiative, Knight Foundation, McKinsey & Company, Microsoft, you.com, Umbria Regional Council and Perugia Town Council.
I want information about the festival; who should I contact?
Write to info@journalismfestival.com (in English) or info@festivaldelgiornalismo.com (in Italian).