Xposure International Film Awards 2025 Recognises Outstanding Global Filmmakers At Sharjah Festival

Xposure 2025 has once again highlighted the art of visual storytelling through the second edition of the Xposure International Film Awards. This event, part of the 9th International Photography Festival, has solidified its status as a global platform for celebrating creativity across various mediums. The festival in Sharjah saw an impressive 834 submissions from filmmakers worldwide, marking a significant increase from the previous year.

The awards ceremony, held during the festival, celebrated film's ability to evoke emotions and connect audiences globally. With categories like Short Film, Animation, Cinematic Arts, and Documentary Feature, the event showcased diversity and innovation in filmmaking. It honoured excellence in storytelling by recognising outstanding talent across these categories.

This year's awards were presented by Tariq Saeed Allay and Alya Al Suwaidi from the Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB). Each category featured remarkable talent with winners and runners-up showcasing a wide range of cinematic visions. The Short Film category awarded Iranian filmmaker Payam Mahmoudi Kurdistani for Nietzschean Suicide, while Andrea Devicenzi from Italy was runner-up with Crossing The North.

In Animation, Andrés Aguilar from Spain won first place for The Strange Case Of The Human Cannonball. Mustafa Keskin from Turkey was named runner-up for Ari-6427. These films demonstrated dynamic visual storytelling that captivated audiences with their creativity and innovation.

The Cinematic Arts category recognised Mehrshad Karkhani from Iran for Bruise-Lips Tulip, noted for its artistic depth. Finnish filmmakers Markku Hakala and Mari Käki earned runner-up with Giants Kettle. These films stood out for their unique perspectives and compelling narratives.

The Documentary Feature category highlighted impactful stories with Jurgen Buedts and Sahim Omar Kalifa from Belgium winning for Iraq's Invisible Beauty. Portuguese filmmaker Diogo Andrade was runner-up with Sikat Subar – A Hidden Colourful Feather. These documentaries offered profound insights into diverse subjects.

Honouring Industry Luminaries

This year's event also celebrated individuals whose contributions have significantly impacted the filmmaking industry. Ten luminaries were honoured, including Academy Award winners and change-makers such as Brent Homann, Franklin Leonard, Glenn Gainor, Jerome Pink, Maitha Alawadi, Martin Desmone Roe, Pippa Erlich, Roger Horrocks, Siraj Jhaveri and Travon Free.

Xposure 2025 is organised by SGMB and is taking place in Aljada, Sharjah until 26th February. This event not only celebrates filmmaking excellence but also honours those who have made it possible through their dedication and creativity.

With inputs from WAM