Xposure International Photography Festival 2026: What to see and do

Xposure International Photography Festival begins on Thursday at Aljada in Sharjah, working till February 4.

The occasion focuses on images, movie and visible storytelling, with exhibitions, talks, workshops and screenings at a number of venues.

This yr’s programme options 95 exhibitions, greater than 3,200 artworks and per week of public occasions geared toward basic audiences and images professionals.

Navigate utilizing themed zones

Xposure 2026 is organised into 12 thematic zones that assist to construction its many exhibitions. These embrace portraiture, documentary images, photojournalism, journey and journey, nature and wildlife, sports activities images and tremendous artwork. Other sections concentrate on international points and environmental storytelling.

See worldwide photographers’ work

Xposure brings collectively greater than 420 photographers and visible artists from over 60 international locations. Among the worldwide names featured this yr are David Burnett, Morten Qvale, Joshua Holko, Dan Kitwood, Virginie Ellis, Richard I’Anson and Derry Brabbs.

The tremendous artwork and inventive images sections embrace work by Christoffer Relander, Rashed Alsumaiti, Leslie Smolan (representing the late Rodney Smith), Cath Simard, Hengki Koentjoro and Julian Calverley.

Visit the Athens pavilion

Athens has been chosen as Guest of Honour for this yr’s occasion. A devoted pavilion presents greater than 140 works by six artists, analyzing the Greek capital’s historical past, structure and social change.

The exhibition sits alongside talks and associated programming that place Athens inside broader discussions about cultural id and concrete storytelling.

Attend talks and discussions

Across the week, the pageant hosts greater than 120 talks and panel discussions involving photographers, filmmakers and visible artists from world wide.

Sessions cowl matters reminiscent of long-term documentary initiatives, battle reporting, wildlife images, journey work and tremendous artwork observe. Many of the talks are scheduled alongside associated exhibitions, providing further context to the works on show.

Take half in portfolio evaluations

For these trying to develop their observe, Xposure provides a big programme of workshops and portfolio overview periods. These vary from technical coaching and storytelling approaches to career-focused recommendation for rising photographers.

Portfolio evaluations present one-on-one suggestions from trade professionals and are aimed primarily at college students, freelancers and early-career practitioners.

Follow the Conservation Summit

Environmental points are addressed on the Xposure Conservation Summit, held on February 2 beneath the theme Troubled Waters. The programme focuses on oceans and water methods, with contributions from photographers, scientists and ocean explorers. Discussions centre on marine conservation, local weather change and the position of visible media in speaking scientific analysis and environmental threat.

Watch movies

In addition to images, Xposure features a movie programme that includes documentaries, brief movies and work exploring visible results and cinematic storytelling. Screenings run all through the pageant and replicate its curiosity in visible narratives past nonetheless photos.

Xposure 2026 runs at Aljada, Sharjah, till February 4