Sharjah: Sharjah’s Xposure International Photography Festival has reached a major milestone with its 10th edition, marking a decade of celebrating creativity and storytelling through visual arts.
Organized by the Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB), the Xposure International Photography and Film Awards 2025–2026 have achieved unprecedented global participation.
The competition received a total of 29,000 photography entries, with 14,359 submissions from 109 countries advancing to the second round of judging. The film segment also recorded strong engagement, with 634 entries from more than 60 nations.
Over the years, Xposure has evolved into a premier global hub for photographers and filmmakers, providing a platform for emerging and established talent to showcase their work, exchange ideas, and inspire audiences through curated exhibitions, live screenings, workshops, and panel discussions.
The photography awards encompass 10 categories, highlighting a wide spectrum of visual expression, Nature & Landscape, Street Photography, Portraiture, Mobile Photography, Architectural Photography, Night Photography, Photomanipulation and AI, Sports Photography, Visual Storytelling, and the Junior Category reserved for UAE residents under 18.
Among these, Nature & Landscape attracted the highest number of entries, making up 22 percent of total submissions, followed by Street Photography (20 percent) and Portraiture (17 percent). The largest participation came from China, Iran, India, the UAE, and Bangladesh, underscoring the festival’s expanding global reach.
The competition follows a three-stage judging process. Initially, 29 judges evaluate submissions based on visual appeal and artistic merit. In the second phase, 23 judges assess shortlisted works for composition, technical excellence, and thematic relevance.
The final round is conducted by the Awards Oversight Committee, which includes renowned experts such as Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalists Essdras M. Suarez and Muhammed Muheisen, photojournalist Giles Clarke, visual journalism expert Lars Boering, creative media professional Ricardo Lopez, and international curator Wiktoria Michalkiewicz. This panel reviews the top eight entries in each category to select winners and runners-up.
“The Xposure Photography and Film Awards are a celebration of purpose. Behind every image and frame is a story that challenges, inspires, or enlightens. Through these awards, Sharjah continues its mission to nurture creativity and amplify voices that bring meaning and awareness to global issues,” stated Tariq Saeed Allay, Director General of SGMB.
On the cinematic front, the film awards feature four key categories: Best Cinematic Arts, Best Visual Effects, Best Documentary, and Best Short Film. Winners and nominees from both the photography and film divisions will be announced during the festival, with all shortlisted works showcased in the Xposure exhibition.
Commemorating ten years of artistic excellence, the Xposure International Photography Festival stands as one of the MENA region’s most celebrated cultural events, offering audiences a profound look into the world’s diverse experiences, perspectives, and creative visions.
By bringing together photographers, filmmakers, and storytellers from around the world, Xposure Festival not only showcases artistic excellence but also fosters dialogue, cultural understanding, and inspiration through the universal language of imagery.
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