Post by : Badri Ariffin

Under the esteemed patronage 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) opens its doors tomorrow in Aljada, Sharjah.

Organized by the Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB), this week's festival runs through February 4 and celebrates the realms of photography, filmmaking, and visual arts via exhibitions, workshops, talks, and interactive experiences. Xposure 2026 comprises 95 exhibitions, showcasing 3,200 artworks in a vibrant display of over 570 visual events.

The grand opening featuring a keynote address by Haris Doukas, the Mayor of Athens, highlights Greece's role as the Guest of Honour. A dedicated pavilion will exhibit more than 140 artworks by six artists from Greece, emphasizing the rich heritage and cultural evolution of Athens.

Centered around the theme “A Decade of Visual Storytelling,” Xposure 2026 unites over 420 photographers, filmmakers, and visual artists from 60+ countries. Highlights include 126 talks, 72 workshops, and 280 portfolio review sessions amid a global trade exhibition spotlighting cutting-edge imaging and visual content technologies.

The festival is organized into 12 thematic zones, presenting categories like People and Portraiture, Sports and Action, Oceans and Water Conservation, and more, alongside independent photography awards.

Prominent international photographers such as David Burnett, Morten Qvale, Joshua Holko, and many others will be attending. The domain of fine art and creative photography will see contributions from talents like Christoffer Relander and Rashed Alsumaiti.

Highlighting environmental concerns, the Conservation Summit on February 2, themed “Troubled Waters,” will feature leading photographers and scientists discussing ways to preserve marine ecosystems and address climate change challenges.

Xposure 2026 also proudly presents the Xposure Photography and Film Awards, which received a remarkable number of entries: 29,000 photos and 634 films from more than 60 countries.

Open to all, Xposure 2026 welcomes photographers, filmmakers, students, and visual arts enthusiasts to engage with exhibitions, interactive sessions, and creative learning opportunities. More information can be found at www.xposure.net.

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