Flickr is launching a new three-day photography festival called MODE by Flickr, set to take place across downtown Minneapolis from September 18 to 20, 2026. Described as an immersive citywide celebration, the event is designed to blend culture, creator-led programming and photography-focused experiences in venues throughout the city.
The inaugural lineup features keynote appearances from Chris Burkard, Keith Ladzinski, Minneapolis native Jimmy Steinfeldt and Brooke Shaden, who will serve as MODE’s Artist-in-Residence. The festival will also include special programming in partnership with Black Women Photographer’s Polly Irungu and Inside Out Project, alongside sponsorship support from Fujifilm, HOVERAir and other partners. Additional featured photographers include Sandro Miller, Art Streiber, Penny De Los Santos, Rob Grimm, David Johnson and others.
“MODE is photography in motion – alive, interactive, and deeply rooted in community,” said Ben MacAskill, President, COO at SmugMug & Flickr. “For more than 20 years, Flickr has brought the world’s photographers together online. Now, we’re bringing that spirit away from devices and connecting in the real world with a festival built for creativity and the future of photography and visual arts.”
Programming at MODE will span workshops led by established industry figures, hands-on demonstrations with emerging tools and gear and immersive exhibitions. Organizers say the event is meant to create spaces for learning, exchange and shared creative energy, with an emphasis on community and the idea that photography is at its strongest when it exists within culture rather than in isolation.
The festival structure is organized around seven thematic pillars. Change will spotlight storytelling with the potential to shift perspectives on the world. Next will focus on emerging tools and technology. Money will explore the business side of photography. Motion will highlight video and moving images. Culture will capture music, fashion, food and everyday moments that shape people’s lives. IRL will honor analog processes, and Earth will focus on the intersection of the environment, sustainability and art. Across these tracks, attendees can expect hands-on workshops, live portrait shoots, technology demos, editing sessions, photojournalism panels, film screenings, gear demos, darkrooms, instant-film activations, photo walks and climate-focused conversations.
Passes for MODE are available now, starting at 300 dollars for Flickr Pro members. General admission and VIP passes range from 330 to 660 dollars. Ticketing information and updates on additional speakers and workshops, which will be announced throughout the year, are available on the festival website.
“Minneapolis is proud to host the inaugural MODE Festival,” said Mayor Jacob Frey. “This is a city that believes in artists and backs them up. From downtown to neighborhoods across Minneapolis, MODE will showcase the creativity, small businesses, communities, and public spaces that make our city special. We’re excited to welcome creators from around the world and show them what Minneapolis is all about.”
The event is positioned as a festival that celebrates creativity and community while prioritizing accessibility, inclusion and safety. Organizers highlight accessible venues and a diverse, curated lineup, with a talent selection process that emphasizes both artistic quality and representation. Sustainability measures, such as recycling and reduced single-use materials, are integrated into planning, alongside safety and emergency protocols intended to ensure a secure experience for attendees.
Founded in 2004, Flickr describes itself as the world’s largest photography community, focused on elevating the memories, artistry and impact of users’ photos. It presents its platform as a safe and inclusive place to share and connect through photos and videos. Since being acquired by SmugMug in 2018, the combined brands say they have created a photography-focused community with global influence.
MODE by Flickr is framed as a natural extension of that online community into physical space. The festival combines events, concerts, workshops, masterclasses and hands-on demos to invite photographers and creators at every level to get inspired, connect and participate. Built by Flickr, the festival is described as bringing photography out of apps and into the streets, turning Minneapolis into a live, immersive canvas for creativity. MODE is also officially 1% for the Planet certified, reflecting a commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainable event practices.