Xposure 2026 Festival Launches in Sharjah, Showcasing Global Photography

Under the auspices of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, the 10th edition of the Xposure International Photography Festival (Xposure 2026) will take place starting tomorrow in Aljada, Sharjah.

Hosted by the Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB), this week-long festival will continue until February 4 and focuses on photography, filmmaking, and visual arts with a range of exhibitions, workshops, discussions, and immersive experiences. Xposure 2026 features 95 exhibitions, a collection of 3,200 artworks, and over 570 events dedicated to visual arts.

The opening ceremony is set to include a keynote speech by Haris Doukas, Mayor of Athens, with Greece serving as the Guest of Honour. A special pavilion will display over 140 artworks from six eminent Greek artists, emphasizing the cultural heritage and transformation of Athens.

The festival adopts the theme “A Decade of Visual Storytelling,” attracting more than 420 artists from over 60 countries, comprising photographers, filmmakers, and visual artists. The program includes 126 talks and panel sessions, 72 workshops, and 280 portfolio reviews, alongside a global exhibition spotlighting imaging and visual content technology.

Organised into 12 thematic zones, topics include People and Portraiture, Sports and Action, Oceans and Water Conservation, Athens, Documentary, Travel and Adventure, Nature and Wildlife, Fine Art and Creative Expression, Photojournalism, and independent photography awards.

Prominent international photographers such as David Burnett, Morten Qvale, Joshua Holko, Marco Ronconi, Mohammad Anabtawi, and Simon King will take part. Fine art and creative photography contributions will come from Christoffer Relander, Rashed Alsumaiti, Leslie Smolan, Richard Le Manz, Romany Hafez, and Hengki Koentjoro.

Environmental storytelling will be at the forefront with the Conservation Summit on February 2, themed “Troubled Waters.” Esteemed photographers, scientists, and ocean explorers will gather to propose solutions for marine ecosystem protection and raise awareness about climate impacts and threats to marine biodiversity.

Xposure 2026 will also feature the Xposure Photography and Film Awards, showcasing exceptional participation with 29,000 photo entries and 634 film submissions from over 60 countries.

The festival is open to the public, welcoming photographers, filmmakers, students, and art enthusiasts to engage with exhibitions, interactive sessions, and creative learning opportunities. Visit www.xposure.net for more information.