VALENTINA SCHWENDINGER

Cluster Photography & Print Exhibitor | 2025

Valentina Schwendinger is an Austrian photographer and director who thrives on tearing down the walls of societal expectation. Her work is a dance between provocation and raw honesty, constantly questioning the very truths that define who we are, how we relate, and the worlds we create.

Her journey into filmmaking began in 2017 with Luna, a tender yet powerful exploration of a homeless girl in Vienna. The film earned her the ‘Best First-Time Director 2021’ award at the London Independent Film Awards. Driven to refine her craft, Valentina moved to London, where she studied at MetFilm School. Her graduation project, The Indestructibles, premiered at the Raindance Film Festival in 2022. Her latest work, RIDDANCE, was recently shortlisted for the IFTA-qualifying Disappear Here Film Festival 2024.

But Valentina doesn’t just challenge norms through film. Her photography, deeply rooted in the raw authenticity of analogue, captures the often-untold, intimate stories of human life. Her debut photo series, Hormonella, shines a light on the subtle yet significant effects of hormonal contraception on women—a topic often left in the shadows, yet one she brings into vivid focus.

Through both moving images and stills, Valentina’s art calls us to question, reflect, and engage in conversations about the truths that shape our existence.

“With Hormonella, I aim to give voice to the quiet that often goes unheard—the voices of women whose experiences with hormonal contraception and menstrual pain are too often overlooked. This series is not just about the hormones themselves but about the real, lived experiences of the women who use them.

Each woman featured in Hormonella represents a unique narrative. Through pre-photoshoot interviews, I drew from their personal stories, using makeup, styling, and backgrounds to visually represent their experiences. My goal was to craft a series that is not only artistically compelling but also continuously evolving. Hormonella is designed to grow, expanding with each new woman’s story, broadening the conversation and raising awareness of a topic that remains in the shadows.

Whether on a film set or in a photo studio, I prioritise a collaborative process. It is crucial that the people I work with not only feel comfortable but also empowered. In Hormonella, I aimed to capture each individual’s journey, encouraging them to express their emotions and share their experiences, creating a space where their stories can be heard and understood.”

— Valentina Schwendinger

VALENTINA SCHWENDINGER

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