The analog comeback inspiring a new creative generation

Across photography studios, film labs and art schools, the hum of projectors and the smell of darkroom chemicals are returning. The analog image, once thought obsolete, is making a quiet but determined comeback.

For many young artists, working with film or photographic paper is no longer about nostalgia. It is a deliberate choice to rediscover the tactile side of creativity and to reconnect with materials that engage the senses. In an era dominated by screens and instant results, the slow rhythm of analog processes offers both resistance and reflection — a way to reclaim the value of time, imperfection and craft.

This global return to material media will be the focus of the 14th International Conference “The Renaissance of Material Media in Photography, Film, and Beyond,” organised by The American University of Florence in collaboration with Stony Brook University of New York. The event takes place on December 5, 2026, at the university’s campus in Corso dei Tintori 21 and is free to attend.

The day-long conference will bring together researchers, filmmakers and photographers from several countries to discuss how traditional techniques — from 16mm film to historical printing processes — are finding new relevance in the digital era. Participants will explore how analog and digital approaches can coexist in hybrid artistic languages, shaping contemporary visual culture.

Now in its 14th edition, the annual meeting confirms Florence’s role as a crossroads for cultural experimentation and academic exchange. The sessions, held in English, are open to students, professionals and anyone curious about how the physical dimension of art continues to evolve. Registration details are available at the The American University of Florence website.

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