Xposure 2026: A Celebration of Photography Launches in Sharjah

Post by : Bianca Suleiman

Under the esteemed patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, the much-anticipated 10th edition of the Xposure International Photography Festival (Xposure 2026) is set to begin tomorrow in Aljada, Sharjah.

Hosted by the Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB), this exciting week-long event will run until February 4, celebrating the realms of photography, filmmaking, and visual arts through a diverse array of exhibitions, workshops, discussions, and immersive experiences. Xposure 2026 includes an impressive lineup of 95 exhibitions featuring 3,200 individual artworks and an extensive programme of over 570 visual events.

The festival's opening ceremony will feature a keynote address by Haris Doukas, Mayor of Athens, as Greece takes the spotlight as Guest of Honour. A special pavilion will display more than 140 artworks from six Greek artists, showcasing Athens’ rich cultural heritage and its evolving artistic narrative.

Guided by the theme “A Decade of Visual Storytelling,” Xposure 2026 is expected to attract over 420 photographers, filmmakers, and visual artists from more than 60 countries. The diverse programme includes 126 insightful talks and panel discussions, 72 engaging workshops, and 280 portfolio review sessions, supplemented by a global trade exhibition highlighting innovations in imaging and visual content technologies.

Organized into 12 thematic zones such as People and Portraiture, Oceans and Water Conservation, Travel and Adventure, and Documentary, the festival will feature the works of leading international photographers like David Burnett and Morten Qvale, alongside distinguished fine art and creative photographers.

The Conservation Summit, taking place on February 2 and themed “Troubled Waters,” emphasizes environmental storytelling. Notable photographers, scientists, and explorers will engage in discussions on safeguarding marine ecosystems and combating climate change challenges.

Also noteworthy is the Xposure Photography and Film Awards, which boasts unprecedented participation with 29,000 photo submissions and 634 film entries from across the globe.

Xposure 2026 warmly welcomes the public, inviting photographers, filmmakers, students, and visual arts fans to enjoy a rich programme of exhibitions and interactive sessions. More information can be found at www.xposure.net.