IMAGE & RESEARCH
Antoni Varés Conference
Girona, 19–20 November 2026
The Image and Research Conference (Antoni Varés Conference) aims to foster reflection and the exchange of knowledge on various aspects related to the management of photographic and audiovisual heritage. It is structured into four thematic blocks, each featuring two keynote presentations and several contributed papers on related topics. In addition, a dedicated debate session is included to address a specific issue that benefits from multiple perspectives.
The presentations and papers will take place at the Girona Conference Centre on 19 and 20 November, while the workshops will be held at the Girona Municipal Archive on 18 and 21 November.
Session 1: INNOVATION — 19 November
| Type | Title / Topic | Speaker |
| Keynote | JPEG and AI. New functionalities for image formats | Touradj Ebrahimi (EPFL – JPEG Convenor) |
| Keynote | Intelligent assistant for contextualised image description in news | Rafa Bermúdez (3CAT) |
| Contributed papers | Artificial intelligence, semantic web, management software, speech-to-text, digital preservation, metadata, 3D technologies, etc. | — |
Session 2: ACCESS & CREATIVITY — 19 November
| Type | Title / Topic | Speaker |
| Keynote | AI techniques for visual analysis and the study of photographic collections | Thomas Smits (University of Amsterdam) |
| Keynote | The European initiative and the challenge of bias | Fred Truyen (KU Leuven) |
| Debate | Dialogue – Debate: BIAS | Thomas Smits – Fred Truyen |
| Contributed papers | Narrative creation, dissemination of collections, archives and creativity, exhibitions, citizen participation, image ethics, etc. | — |
Session 3: HERITAGE — 20 November
| Type | Title / Topic | Speaker |
| Keynote | Heritage assessment at the Centro Nacional de Fotografía | Mónica Carabias (CNF) |
| Keynote | Collection management and rights management | Lluís-Esteve Casellas (CRDI) |
| Debate | Rights management | Mónica Carabias – Lluís-Esteve Casellas |
| Contributed papers | Archival collections, business models, image banks, intellectual property, image rights, economic sustainability, collecting, etc. | — |
Session 4: CONSERVATION — 20 November
| Type | Title / Topic | Speaker |
| Keynote | An updated review of preservation criteria for photographic archives | Bertrand Lavedrine |
| Contributed papers | State of the art in conservation, preventive conservation criteria, restoration of photographs and films, history of photography, digitisation, climate change, sustainable conservation, etc. | — |
Closing lecture: Tino Soriano
WORKSHOP 1 — 18 November
Provenance and identification of AI-generated images. JPEG responses.
Trainer: Frederik Temmermans — Language: English
WORKSHOP 2 — 21 November
Emergency actions in the event of flooding.
Trainer: Ester Llorca — Language: Spanish