Bio
I was born in Rome in 1985 and studied at the “Centro Sperimentale di Fotografia e Televisione” in Rome, followed by the “École de Photo et de Formation à la Photographie” in Paris. I then spent two years in Paris working as an assistant to Reza Deghati, a National Geographic Fellow.
In 2011, I began working as a freelance photographer, focusing on editorial assignments and personal projects. Over the years, I’ve developed a distinct point of view, exploring social and political themes and drawing inspiration from the absurdities of everyday life.
My series Zabbaleen was selected for the Off Festival of Paris Photo, while Aquasferra and Roundabout were both highlighted as “Coup de Cœur” at the Visa pour l’Image festival in Perpignan.
In 2025, I was awarded, together with Lavinia Parlamenti, the Marco Bastianelli Photo Prize for our book "The Lines We Draw".
Since returning to Italy, I’ve been based between Rome and the woods.
Horreya Collective
Manfredi Pantanella / Lavinia Parlamenti
Horreya Collective was founded by Manfredi Pantanella and Lavinia Parlamenti.
We first met in Tahrir Square in late 2011, during the second wave of the so-called Egyptian Revolution. Since then, our shared practice has explored the intersection of documentary photography and the surreal blending reality with elements of the fantastic.
What connects our distinct personalities is, without a doubt, a common sense of irony toward life and, naturally, photography, along with a deep belief in the power of imagination within the real world. While we each pursue individual projects, we often work and travel together.
Our first collaborative project, Roundabout#Cyprus (2012), was exhibited at several photobook festivals across Europe, including Rome, Paris, Riga, Kassel, and Athens.
Exibitions
2025 Inchiostri Ribelli, Florence
2024 FotoFestiwal, Lødz, Poland
2023 Photaumnales 2023 Festival, Beauvais, France
2014 Self Publish Riga, Riga (LV)
2014 FRAMES / projecting international photography, Glasgow
2013 Documentaria Bari, Italy
2013 Lishui Festival , China
2013 Kassel "6th Fotobookfestival Award"
2013 Paris "Le Bal"
2013 Dublin "PhotoIreland Festival"
2013 MIA "Milan Image Art Fair"
2013 Milan - Well Tech Award - Salone del Mobile / SOLAR LOOP / "MenoMenoPiù Architets":http://www.mmpaa.eu/ - "Paolo Venturella":http://www.paoloventurella.it/
2013 PADOVA FOTOGRAFIA festival
2012 PARIS PHOTO OFF
2012 PHOTOBOOK FESTIVAL La Pelanda MACRO Rome, Italy
2012 ARAB SPRING Collective exhibition. Convergence of Cultures. Rome, Italy
2010 POWERFULL / POWERLESS L'incompiuto Siciliano. Salerno, Italy
Publications
Time (UK)
Internazionale
Lens Blog - NYT
Repubblica
The New York Times (USA)
Corriere della Sera
International New York Times (EU)
Oeil de la Photographie (FR)
Time - Lightbox
Solferino 28
Internazionale.it
Io Donna
The New's Room
Panenka (ES)
Unità
Blow Magazine (UK)
Burn Magazine (USA)
Posi+tive Magazine
Plus Magazine (SLO)
Photo off (FR)
P3 Magazine (POR)
RaiNews24
Rai.TV World
Self Publish Be Happy (UK)
Awards
2025 - Premio Marco Bastianelli, First Prize
2025 - Verzasca Photo festival , Shortlisted
2025- Photometria Athens , Winner
2025 - Belfast Photo Festival - Book Award , Winner
2022 - Kickstarter x POLKA gallery , Winner
2021 - Bourse Musee des Amis d' Albert Kahn - Shortlisted
2020 - Scam , Brulloin d'un reve - Shortlisted
2020 - 6 Mois Prix du Photojournalisme, Shortlisted
2019 - Burn Emerging Fund , Shortlisted.
2017 - Athens Photo Festival , Shortlisted
2014 - Coup de coeur ANI "Aquasferra"(association nationale des iconographes).
2014 - Coup de coeur ANI "Roundabout#Cyprus together with Lavinia Parlamenti (association nationale des iconographes)
2014 - Self Publish Riga , Shortlisted
2013 - Kassel Dummy Awards, Shortlisted