Martina Zaninelli is a photographer based in Berlin. She also worked as a photo editor for a long time.
She attended Lisa Barnard's masterclass at the International Summer School of Photography (ISSP) and Linn Schröder's seminar at the Ostkreuz School of Photography in Berlin. She holds a BA in Modern and Contemporary History. Her background in history influences her photographic practice and storytelling. Her work shines a spotlight on the stories of individuals and collectives affected by overwhelming events that reverberate through our contemporary times, provoking a constant dialogue between the present and the past. Her artistic practice relies heavily on archival material and incorporates multimedia elements, in addition to photography.
mail: martina.zaninelli [at] gmail.com
and here Instagram
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2025 – La CAVe, Rome, IT – Brotherland
2022 – Peter-Weiss-Haus, Rostock, DE – Brotherland
2022 – Maison de Heidelberg, Hors Les Mours, Montpellier, FR – Brotherland
2022 – Pop-up exhibition. Stadthalle, Rostock | Mahalle, Berlin | Fusion Festival | Kleines Schauspielhaus, Dresden, DE – Brotherland
2018 – Monat der Fotografie OFF, Galerie Fotogravie(l), Berlin, DE – Are there trees back in Berlin?
2018 – Sali d’Argento Gallery, Alfedena, IT – Are there trees back in Berlin?
GROUP SHOWS
2022 – Book Nook, Rucka Art – Cesis, LV – Brotherland
2022 – video projection. Les Boutographies, Montpellier, FR – Brotherland
2021 – Castelnuovo Fotografia, Castelnuovo di Porto, IT – Brotherland
2018 – Infinite Sauvage. Art Hall, Kuldiga, LV – Critique of Political Economy
2018 – The Family of No Man. Cosmos, Arles, FR – Critique of Political Economy
2018 – #Heimatministerium. LUMIX Festival, Hannover, DE
2018 – Strategies against the map. A Ilha, Lisbona, PT – Critique of Political Economy
2017 – Projection. Encontros da Imagem, Braga, PT – Are there trees back in Berlin?
2017 – Galerie Fotoforum, Bolzano, IT – Are there trees back in Berlin?
2017 – taf : theartfoundation, Athens, GR – Are there trees back in Berlin?
2017 – Alte Feuerwache Friedrichshain, Berlin, DE – Are there trees back in Berlin?
Publications and features
der freitag, taz – die tageszeitung, junge Welt, Archivo, kwerfeldein, die Nacht, International Photography Magazine, PLS magazine, repubblica.it, Tagesspiegel, Kiosk of Democracy, Times of Israel, Umbria24, Quarry Londo/New York, CFR Edizioni, Frattura-Italia, Versus Verlag Zürich, Berliner Morgenpost, Esspress.
NOMINATIONS AND AWARDS
2025 – Finalist. Encontros da Imagem Photobook Award, Braga, PT – How Can I Talk With You?
2025 – Shortlist. Verzasca Foto Festival, Verzasca, CH – Brotherland
2024 – Finalist. Archive of Documentary Arts Collection Awards, Durham, USA – Brotherland
2024 – Shortlist. Format Festival, Derby, UK – Brotherland
2024 – Shortlist. Athens Photofestival, Athens, GR – Brotherland
2023 – Shortlist. Giostre Edizioni Dummy Award, IT – YOUNG
2023 – Photomatch, Fotofestiwal, Lodz, PL – Brotherland
2022 – Winner. Founding, Amadeu-Antonio-Stiftung, DE – Brotherland
2022 – Longlisted. Format Festival, Derby, UK – Brotherland
2022 – Winner. Marco Bastianelli Book Award, Rome, IT – YOUNG
2021 – Shortlist. Kassel Dummy Award, Kassel, DE – YOUNG
2019 – Shortlist. Charta Dummy Award, Rome, IT – YOUNG
2019 – Winner. Founding, Italian Culture Department Bolzano, IT
2017 – Shortlist. DOCfield Dummy Award, Barcelona, ES – Are there trees back in Berlin?
2017 – Nominated. Photogrvphy Grant – Are there trees back in Berlin?
2017 – Winner. Founding, Italian Culture Department Bolzano, IT
EDUCATION
2019 – 2022, ISSP International Masterclass mentored by Lisa Barnard
2018, ISSP - International Summer School of Photography, workshop by Lisa Barnard
2018, Strategies against the map, workshop by Federico Clavarino and Andrea Grützner
2016 – 2017, Ostkreuzschule für Fotografie, Berlin – Linn Schröder Class
2015, How to do a book, workshop by Calin Kruse
2014, Officine Fotografiche, Rome, Italy - Reportage Class by Gaetano Di Filippo
2014, Degree in medieval, modern and contemporary history, Università di Roma „La Sapienza“