SHARJAH, UAE, Nov. 24, 2025 -- Xposure's International Photography and Film Festival unites 420 artists from around the world under the theme "A Decade of Visual Storytelling." From January 29 to February 4, 2026, the 49,000-square-metre Aljada site will become a global hub for photography and film, hosting 570 events, including 95 exhibitions featuring 3,200 works.

Over the past decade, Xposure has established Sharjah as a global destination for visual storytelling. Organized by the Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB), the 2026 edition will feature 126 talks, 72 workshops, and portfolio reviews. Tariq Saeed Allay, SGMB Director-General, said: Xposure has become a global space for human connection, shaped by the stories photographers tell and the perspectives they capture.

Since its launch, the festival has grown into a meeting point for visual artists worldwide. The Xposure Photography and Film Awards 2026 received more than 29,000 entries and 634 films from over 60 countries, reflecting its international reach.

Award-winning environmental photographer Sebastian Copeland highlights Xposure as a platform that showcases photography not only as art but also as a tool for environmental awareness: "When nature speaks and we do not listen, photography can make us hear with our eyes." Acclaimed American photographer George Steinmetz offers a contrasting perspective with "Feeding the Planet," a long-term project documenta global food systems and their environmental impact. For the first time, Xposure will feature a Guest of Honour: Athens, presented through a curated programme highlighting the city's heritage and contemporary creativity. Mayor Haris Doukas described the selection as a significant distinction: "Our legacy is not only inherited but alive — and shaping the future."

More information: Here

- Picture is available at AP -

Media Contact:

Hussain Al Mulla – Sharjah Government Media Bureau
+971 56 398 0067 | Hussain.almulla@sgmb.ae