diff --git a/backend/azionelab/settings.py b/backend/azionelab/settings.py
index 8f5f621..e617ceb 100644
--- a/backend/azionelab/settings.py
+++ b/backend/azionelab/settings.py
@@ -116,6 +116,8 @@ if "test" in sys.argv:
 
 STATIC_URL = "/static/"
 STATIC_ROOT = BASE_DIR / "staticfiles"
+MEDIA_URL = "/media/"
+MEDIA_ROOT = BASE_DIR / "media"
 DEFAULT_AUTO_FIELD = "django.db.models.BigAutoField"
 
 REST_FRAMEWORK = {
diff --git a/backend/azionelab/urls.py b/backend/azionelab/urls.py
index bda6372..e546aec 100644
--- a/backend/azionelab/urls.py
+++ b/backend/azionelab/urls.py
@@ -1,4 +1,6 @@
 from django.contrib import admin
+from django.conf import settings
+from django.conf.urls.static import static
 from django.urls import include, path
 from rest_framework.decorators import api_view
 from rest_framework.response import Response
@@ -16,3 +18,6 @@ urlpatterns = [
     path("api/", include("bookings.urls")),
     path("api/", include("checkins.urls")),
 ]
+
+if settings.DEBUG:
+    urlpatterns += static(settings.MEDIA_URL, document_root=settings.MEDIA_ROOT)
diff --git a/backend/shows/admin.py b/backend/shows/admin.py
index 4395594..b0996e6 100644
--- a/backend/shows/admin.py
+++ b/backend/shows/admin.py
@@ -7,11 +7,36 @@ from .models import Performance, Show, Venue
 
 @admin.register(Show)
 class ShowAdmin(admin.ModelAdmin):
-    list_display = ("title", "slug", "is_published", "created_at", "updated_at")
+    list_display = ("title", "slug", "is_published", "image_preview", "created_at", "updated_at")
     list_filter = ("is_published",)
     search_fields = ("title", "slug", "summary", "description")
     prepopulated_fields = {"slug": ("title",)}
-    readonly_fields = ("created_at", "updated_at")
+    readonly_fields = ("image_preview", "created_at", "updated_at")
+    fields = (
+        "title",
+        "slug",
+        "summary",
+        "description",
+        "uploaded_image",
+        "poster_image",
+        "image_preview",
+        "is_published",
+        "created_at",
+        "updated_at",
+    )
+
+    @admin.display(description="Preview")
+    def image_preview(self, obj):
+        if not getattr(obj, "pk", None):
+            return "-"
+        image_url = obj.image_url()
+        if not image_url:
+            return "No image"
+        return format_html(
+            '<img src="{}" alt="{}" style="max-width: 120px; border-radius: 6px;" />',
+            image_url,
+            obj.title,
+        )
 
 
 @admin.register(Venue)
diff --git a/backend/shows/migrations/0002_show_uploaded_image.py b/backend/shows/migrations/0002_show_uploaded_image.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..45bc336
--- /dev/null
+++ b/backend/shows/migrations/0002_show_uploaded_image.py
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
+# Generated by Django 5.2.3 on 2026-04-29
+
+from django.db import migrations, models
+
+
+class Migration(migrations.Migration):
+    dependencies = [
+        ("shows", "0001_initial"),
+    ]
+
+    operations = [
+        migrations.AddField(
+            model_name="show",
+            name="uploaded_image",
+            field=models.ImageField(blank=True, upload_to="shows/"),
+        ),
+    ]
diff --git a/backend/shows/models.py b/backend/shows/models.py
index 6290e14..2d2532d 100644
--- a/backend/shows/models.py
+++ b/backend/shows/models.py
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ class Show(TimeStampedModel):
     summary = models.TextField(blank=True)
     description = models.TextField(blank=True)
     poster_image = models.URLField(blank=True)
+    uploaded_image = models.ImageField(upload_to="shows/", blank=True)
     is_published = models.BooleanField(default=False, db_index=True)
 
     class Meta:
@@ -28,6 +29,14 @@ class Show(TimeStampedModel):
     def __str__(self):
         return self.title
 
+    def image_url(self, request=None):
+        if self.uploaded_image:
+            image_url = self.uploaded_image.url
+            if request is not None:
+                return request.build_absolute_uri(image_url)
+            return image_url
+        return self.poster_image
+
 
 class Venue(TimeStampedModel):
     name = models.CharField(max_length=200)
diff --git a/backend/shows/serializers.py b/backend/shows/serializers.py
index e6971de..a3a2320 100644
--- a/backend/shows/serializers.py
+++ b/backend/shows/serializers.py
@@ -1,7 +1,15 @@
 from rest_framework import serializers
 
 
-class PublicShowListSerializer(serializers.Serializer):
+class PublicShowImageMixin(serializers.Serializer):
+    image_url = serializers.SerializerMethodField()
+
+    def get_image_url(self, obj):
+        request = self.context.get("request")
+        return obj.image_url(request=request)
+
+
+class PublicShowListSerializer(PublicShowImageMixin, serializers.Serializer):
     id = serializers.IntegerField()
     title = serializers.CharField()
     slug = serializers.SlugField()
@@ -18,7 +26,7 @@ class PublicVenueDetailSerializer(PublicVenueSummarySerializer):
     address = serializers.CharField()
 
 
-class PublicShowSummarySerializer(serializers.Serializer):
+class PublicShowSummarySerializer(PublicShowImageMixin, serializers.Serializer):
     title = serializers.CharField()
     slug = serializers.SlugField()
     summary = serializers.CharField()
diff --git a/backend/shows/test_api.py b/backend/shows/test_api.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..755d223
--- /dev/null
+++ b/backend/shows/test_api.py
@@ -0,0 +1,77 @@
+from datetime import timedelta
+from tempfile import TemporaryDirectory
+
+from django.core.files.uploadedfile import SimpleUploadedFile
+from django.test import override_settings
+from django.urls import reverse
+from django.utils import timezone
+from rest_framework import status
+from rest_framework.test import APITestCase
+
+from shows.models import Performance, Show, Venue
+
+
+SMALL_GIF = (
+    b"GIF89a\x01\x00\x01\x00\x80\x00\x00"
+    b"\x00\x00\x00\xff\xff\xff!\xf9\x04\x01"
+    b"\x00\x00\x00\x00,\x00\x00\x00\x00\x01"
+    b"\x00\x01\x00\x00\x02\x02D\x01\x00;"
+)
+
+
+class ShowApiTests(APITestCase):
+    def setUp(self):
+        self.temp_media = TemporaryDirectory()
+        self.addCleanup(self.temp_media.cleanup)
+        self.settings_override = override_settings(MEDIA_ROOT=self.temp_media.name)
+        self.settings_override.enable()
+        self.addCleanup(self.settings_override.disable)
+
+        self.show = Show.objects.create(
+            title="Open Stage",
+            slug="open-stage-media",
+            summary="A contemporary theatre performance.",
+            description="Full public show description.",
+            poster_image="https://cdn.example.com/open-stage-poster.jpg",
+            is_published=True,
+        )
+        self.external_only_show = Show.objects.create(
+            title="External Poster Stage",
+            slug="external-poster-stage",
+            summary="External image only.",
+            description="External image only.",
+            poster_image="https://cdn.example.com/external-only.jpg",
+            is_published=True,
+        )
+        self.venue = Venue.objects.create(
+            name="AzioneLab Theatre",
+            slug="azionelab-theatre-show-api",
+            address="Via Example 1",
+            city="Rome",
+        )
+        self.performance = Performance.objects.create(
+            show=self.show,
+            venue=self.venue,
+            starts_at=timezone.now() + timedelta(days=7),
+            room_capacity=20,
+        )
+
+    def test_show_list_prefers_uploaded_image_url_when_present(self):
+        self.show.uploaded_image.save(
+            "open-stage.gif",
+            SimpleUploadedFile("open-stage.gif", SMALL_GIF, content_type="image/gif"),
+            save=True,
+        )
+
+        response = self.client.get(reverse("api-show-list"))
+
+        self.assertEqual(response.status_code, status.HTTP_200_OK)
+        list_item = next(item for item in response.data["results"] if item["slug"] == self.show.slug)
+        self.assertTrue(list_item["image_url"].endswith("/media/shows/open-stage.gif"))
+        self.assertEqual(list_item["poster_image"], "https://cdn.example.com/open-stage-poster.jpg")
+
+    def test_show_detail_falls_back_to_existing_external_image_url(self):
+        response = self.client.get(reverse("api-show-detail", kwargs={"slug": self.external_only_show.slug}))
+
+        self.assertEqual(response.status_code, status.HTTP_200_OK)
+        self.assertEqual(response.data["image_url"], "https://cdn.example.com/external-only.jpg")
diff --git a/backend/shows/views.py b/backend/shows/views.py
index b9b69ff..0735d46 100644
--- a/backend/shows/views.py
+++ b/backend/shows/views.py
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ def public_performance_queryset():
 @api_view(["GET"])
 def show_list(request):
     shows = Show.objects.filter(is_published=True).order_by("title")
-    serializer = PublicShowListSerializer(shows, many=True)
+    serializer = PublicShowListSerializer(shows, many=True, context={"request": request})
     return Response({"results": serializer.data})
 
 
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ def show_list(request):
 def show_detail(request, slug):
     show = get_object_or_404(Show, slug=slug, is_published=True)
     show.public_performances = public_performance_queryset().filter(show=show)
-    serializer = PublicShowDetailSerializer(show)
+    serializer = PublicShowDetailSerializer(show, context={"request": request})
     return Response(serializer.data)
 
 
@@ -54,12 +54,16 @@ def performance_list(request):
             )
         performances = performances.filter(starts_at__gte=starts_from)
 
-    serializer = PublicPerformanceListSerializer(performances.order_by("starts_at"), many=True)
+    serializer = PublicPerformanceListSerializer(
+        performances.order_by("starts_at"),
+        many=True,
+        context={"request": request},
+    )
     return Response({"results": serializer.data})
 
 
 @api_view(["GET"])
 def performance_detail(request, pk):
     performance = get_object_or_404(public_performance_queryset(), pk=pk)
-    serializer = PublicPerformanceDetailSerializer(performance)
+    serializer = PublicPerformanceDetailSerializer(performance, context={"request": request})
     return Response(serializer.data)
diff --git a/docs/deployment.md b/docs/deployment.md
index eb40ff3..edadd5b 100644
--- a/docs/deployment.md
+++ b/docs/deployment.md
@@ -106,7 +106,7 @@ The database should not be published to the host in production.
 Recommended volumes:
 
 - `postgres_data`: PostgreSQL data directory;
-- `media`: uploaded media and generated QR assets if stored on disk;
+- `media`: uploaded show images and generated QR assets if stored on disk;
 - `static`: collected Django static files if served by nginx from a shared volume.
 
 Generated QR codes may also be generated on demand instead of stored as files. If stored, they must not reveal personal data and access must remain controlled.
@@ -150,6 +150,7 @@ Required nginx configuration:
 - upstream backend service name and port;
 - static frontend root;
 - proxy rules for `/api/` and `/admin/`;
+- media root for `/media/` if uploaded assets are served by nginx from a shared volume;
 - TLS certificate paths for production.
 
 Secrets must be provided through deployment-managed environment variables, Docker secrets, or another secret manager. Do not commit real secret values.
@@ -214,6 +215,7 @@ Database rollback needs special care once migrations exist. Down migrations or b
 ## Operational Notes
 
 - Configure database backups before accepting real bookings.
+- Back up the shared media volume together with the database if staff uploads show images.
 - Monitor backend errors, email delivery failures, and check-in failures.
 - Keep container images explicitly versioned; do not use `latest` tags.
 - Keep the system small until operational needs justify additional services.
diff --git a/frontend/src/app/pages/show-detail-placeholder-page.component.ts b/frontend/src/app/pages/show-detail-placeholder-page.component.ts
index 9949a00..fe32853 100644
--- a/frontend/src/app/pages/show-detail-placeholder-page.component.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/app/pages/show-detail-placeholder-page.component.ts
@@ -45,9 +45,16 @@ import { ShowDetail, ShowPerformance, ShowsApiService } from '../services/shows-
         </mat-card>
       } @else if (show()) {
         <header class="page-header">
-          <p class="eyebrow">Show detail</p>
-          <h1>{{ show()!.title }}</h1>
-          <p class="supporting">{{ show()!.description || show()!.summary }}</p>
+          <div class="hero-copy">
+            <p class="eyebrow">Show detail</p>
+            <h1>{{ show()!.title }}</h1>
+            <p class="supporting">{{ show()!.description || show()!.summary }}</p>
+          </div>
+          @if (show()!.image_url) {
+            <div class="hero-image-wrap">
+              <img class="hero-image" [src]="show()!.image_url" [alt]="show()!.title" />
+            </div>
+          }
         </header>
 
         <section class="section">
@@ -115,9 +122,17 @@ import { ShowDetail, ShowPerformance, ShowsApiService } from '../services/shows-
     }
 
     .page-header {
+      display: grid;
+      grid-template-columns: minmax(0, 1.2fr) minmax(280px, 420px);
+      gap: 24px;
+      align-items: start;
       margin-bottom: 28px;
     }
 
+    .hero-copy {
+      min-width: 0;
+    }
+
     .eyebrow {
       margin: 0 0 10px;
       color: var(--azionelab-accent);
@@ -138,6 +153,24 @@ import { ShowDetail, ShowPerformance, ShowsApiService } from '../services/shows-
       max-width: 64ch;
     }
 
+    .hero-image-wrap {
+      overflow: hidden;
+      border-radius: 12px;
+      border: 1px solid var(--azionelab-border);
+      background:
+        linear-gradient(135deg, rgba(207, 71, 51, 0.16), rgba(15, 22, 36, 0.08)),
+        #f8f1ea;
+      box-shadow: var(--azionelab-shadow);
+      aspect-ratio: 4 / 5;
+    }
+
+    .hero-image {
+      width: 100%;
+      height: 100%;
+      display: block;
+      object-fit: cover;
+    }
+
     .section {
       display: grid;
       gap: 20px;
@@ -231,6 +264,10 @@ import { ShowDetail, ShowPerformance, ShowsApiService } from '../services/shows-
     }
 
     @media (max-width: 860px) {
+      .page-header {
+        grid-template-columns: 1fr;
+      }
+
       .section-heading {
         align-items: flex-start;
         flex-direction: column;
diff --git a/frontend/src/app/pages/show-list-page.component.ts b/frontend/src/app/pages/show-list-page.component.ts
index 280f548..c0fe47e 100644
--- a/frontend/src/app/pages/show-list-page.component.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/app/pages/show-list-page.component.ts
@@ -59,6 +59,11 @@ import { ShowListItem, ShowsApiService } from '../services/shows-api.service';
         <div class="show-grid">
           @for (show of shows(); track show.slug) {
           <mat-card class="show-card">
+            @if (show.image_url) {
+              <div class="show-image-wrap">
+                <img class="show-image" [src]="show.image_url" [alt]="show.title" />
+              </div>
+            }
             <mat-card-title>{{ show.title }}</mat-card-title>
             <mat-card-content>
               <p>{{ show.summary }}</p>
@@ -157,6 +162,22 @@ import { ShowListItem, ShowsApiService } from '../services/shows-api.service';
       box-shadow: var(--azionelab-shadow);
     }
 
+    .show-image-wrap {
+      aspect-ratio: 16 / 10;
+      overflow: hidden;
+      border-bottom: 1px solid var(--azionelab-border);
+      background:
+        linear-gradient(135deg, rgba(207, 71, 51, 0.14), rgba(15, 22, 36, 0.06)),
+        #f8f1ea;
+    }
+
+    .show-image {
+      width: 100%;
+      height: 100%;
+      display: block;
+      object-fit: cover;
+    }
+
     .show-card mat-card-content {
       flex: 1;
     }
diff --git a/frontend/src/app/services/shows-api.service.ts b/frontend/src/app/services/shows-api.service.ts
index b369313..7f569d7 100644
--- a/frontend/src/app/services/shows-api.service.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/app/services/shows-api.service.ts
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ export type ShowListItem = {
   title: string;
   slug: string;
   summary: string;
+  image_url: string;
   poster_image: string;
 };
 
diff --git a/infra/docker/compose.yml b/infra/docker/compose.yml
index 0d26a35..e7a49bb 100644
--- a/infra/docker/compose.yml
+++ b/infra/docker/compose.yml
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ services:
       - "${BACKEND_PORT:-8000}"
     volumes:
       - django_static:/app/staticfiles
+      - django_media:/app/media
     depends_on:
       postgres:
         condition: service_healthy
@@ -70,6 +71,7 @@ services:
     volumes:
       - ./nginx/templates:/etc/nginx/templates:ro
       - django_static:/var/www/static:ro
+      - django_media:/var/www/media:ro
     depends_on:
       - backend
       - frontend
@@ -80,6 +82,7 @@ services:
 volumes:
   postgres_data:
   django_static:
+  django_media:
 
 networks:
   internal:
diff --git a/infra/docker/nginx/templates/default.conf.template b/infra/docker/nginx/templates/default.conf.template
index 50a3f3d..85fcc90 100644
--- a/infra/docker/nginx/templates/default.conf.template
+++ b/infra/docker/nginx/templates/default.conf.template
@@ -35,9 +35,9 @@ server {
     }
 
     location /media/ {
-        proxy_pass http://azionelab_backend;
-        proxy_set_header Host $host;
-        proxy_set_header X-Forwarded-Proto $scheme;
+        alias /var/www/media/;
+        access_log off;
+        expires 1d;
     }
 
     location / {