Xposure 2026 Opens In Sharjah With 95 Exhibitions, 570 Visual Events And International Guests

Xposure 2026, the 10th Xposure International Photography Festival, is set to open in Aljada, Sharjah on Thursday under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah. The week-long event runs until 4 February and highlights photography, filmmaking and visual arts on a global scale.

Organised by the Sharjah Government Media Bureau, the festival carries the theme "A Decade of Visual Storytelling". Over ten years, Xposure 2026 has grown into an international platform bringing together more than 420 photographers, filmmakers and visual artists from over 60 countries, reflecting Sharjah’s continued investment in cultural and visual dialogue.

Xposure 2026 presents 95 exhibitions and around 3,200 artworks, supported by more than 570 visual events. The schedule also features 126 talks and panel discussions, 72 workshops and 280 portfolio review sessions led by international experts, alongside a film programme and a trade exhibition showcasing companies specialising in imaging and visual content technologies.

This year, the festival is structured into 12 thematic zones that organise the visitor experience by subject. These include People and Portraiture, Sports and Action Photography, Oceans and Water Conservation, Athens, Documentary Photography, Travel and Adventure Photography, Nature and Wildlife, The Global Focus Project, Fine Art and Creative Expression Photography, Photojournalism, The Independent and Freelance Photojournalist Award zone, and the Courtyard zone.

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The Photography and Film Awards at Xposure 2026 continue to expand the festival’s global reach. The 2026 edition records the highest level of participation so far, with 29,000 photography submissions and 634 film entries received from more than 60 countries, across specialist photography categories, short films, documentary features, visual effects and cinematic arts.

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Greece’s role as Guest of Honour further strengthens the festival’s international profile and its emphasis on cultural exchange. Haris Doukas, Mayor of Athens, will deliver the opening keynote address, marking the Greek capital’s participation. A dedicated Athens pavilion will display more than 140 artworks by six artists, presenting the city’s heritage, social shifts and shared memory through visual narratives.

Xposure 2026 brings together a wide group of international names whose work spans photojournalism, documentary practice, nature and wildlife, travel, sport and fine art. Featured participants include David Burnett, Morten Qvale, Joshua Holko, Marco Ronconi, Mohammad Anabtawi, Simon King, Dan Kitwood, Virginie Ellis, Yousuf Ahmed, Richard I'Anson, Derry Brabbs and Mostafa Ajjawi, reflecting a broad spectrum of visual approaches.

The fine art and creative photography segment is also extensive this year. Exhibited artists include Christoffer Relander, Rashed Alsumaiti, Leslie Smolan representing the work of the late photographer Rodney Smith, Richard Le Manz, Romany Hafez, Cath Simard, Hengki Koentjoro, Pauline Planchon, Julian Calverley, Christian Houge, Dmitry Ersler, Ghada Al Qasimi, Liam Man, Riccardo Magherini, Lucia Giacani, Andrey Gudkov and Andreas Urscheler.

Xposure 2026 environmental and educational focus

Environmental storytelling will be a central focus through the Conservation Summit on 2 February, themed "Troubled Waters". The summit gathers photographers, scientists and ocean explorers to discuss practical ways to protect marine ecosystems under rising pressures from industry, pollution, overfishing and climate change, with an emphasis on evidence-based dialogue and visual documentation.

The programme highlights the oceans’ crucial role in absorbing most excess heat and a large share of global carbon emissions, while outlining growing threats to marine biodiversity. Through talks, panels and visual presentations, the summit presents photography and film as tools for scientific communication, public awareness and policy debate, aligning with Xposure 2026’s wider commitment to visual storytelling on environmental issues.

Open to the public, Xposure 2026 welcomes photographers, filmmakers, students, professionals and visual arts enthusiasts to a week of exhibitions, discussions and practical learning in Aljada. With its mix of thematic zones, international awards, cultural partnerships and environmental focus, the festival offers a concentrated snapshot of current visual practice and evolving narratives within global photography and film.

With inputs from WAM