Unique cultural, entertainment event in Aljada, Sharjah
Xposure 2025, in partnership with Darya, offers a unique opportunity for visitors to explore the aesthetics of photography and visual storytelling in the beautiful surroundings of the UAE. This inspiring environment hosts a variety of local cultural and commercial projects, totaling 22 projects.
Darya: A new cultural destination
Darya is the first space to showcase the new identity of Sharjah, making it a distinctive cultural destination. It features various photography projects and studios, enhancing the artistic landscape of the region.
Enriching visitor experience
The event in Aljada includes cultural and entertainment wings designed to enrich the visitor experience and provide opportunities for community interaction.
A premier artistic and cultural event
Notably, Xposure , is one of the most significant artistic and cultural events, successfully attracting over 400 international photographers from around the world to share their expertise and artistic works.
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Sharjah 24
27-02-2025
- Sharjah 24
Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi attends closing of Xposure
Xposure 2025 took place from February 20 to 26 at Aljada, Sharjah, offering an immersive space where photography, film, and visual arts converged to push creative boundaries and redefine the role of visual storytelling in today's world. Closing remarks by His Excellency Tariq Saeed Allay In his closing remarks, His Excellency Tariq Saeed Allay, Director General of SGMB, reflected on the festival's evolution, noting: "Xposure is no longer just about photography. on Wednesday, cinema and documentary filmmaking are integral to its fabric, standing alongside exhibitions by some of the world's most renowned photographers and visual artists. This festival has grown into a crucible of thought and creativity—an event that reimagines the role of the lens in documenting life and shaping the future." He also paid tribute to the vision of Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, highlighting his role in elevating Xposure's global stature: "For nine years, Your Highness, you have been the driving force behind this journey—guiding its direction, inspiring the team, and ensuring that Xposure remains a global benchmark for excellence in photography and visual storytelling." Exclusive behind-the-scenes film Following the speeches, attendees viewed an exclusive behind-the-scenes film showcasing the meticulous preparations for Xposure 2025, highlighting the extensive efforts behind the festival's success, key moments from the weeklong program, and the work of participating photographers from across the globe. Honouring distinguished contributors At the conclusion of the ceremony, His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi honoured distinguished photographers, filmmakers, and guest experts, as well as participating Arab and international photography associations and federations. He also recognised the festival's partners and sponsors, joining them for a commemorative photo session. Expanding the horizons of photography Xposure 2025 went beyond conventional photography, embracing contemporary trends and emerging technologies. For the first time, the festival introduced a new category within the International Photography Awards, dedicated to AI-generated photography—marking a pivotal moment in the conversation around digital imagery and the intersection of human creativity and artificial intelligence. Additionally, the festival hosted the 4th Environmental Summit, welcoming an esteemed lineup of photographers and journalists who have dedicated their careers to documenting environmental conservation and biodiversity. A Celebration of visual storytelling Over seven days, Xposure 2025 transformed into a dynamic space for engaging discussions, masterclasses, and immersive experiences. Curated exhibitions featured over 2,500 powerful images from more than 300 internationally acclaimed photographers, showcasing compelling visual narratives from around the world. The festival also hosted Xposure Talks, where industry leaders and visionaries shared insights and perspectives on the evolving role of photography and visual arts. Education and skill development Education played a central role in this edition, with skill-building workshops, portfolio reviews, and mentorship opportunities providing invaluable learning experiences for both emerging and professional photographers. Documentary film screenings brought powerful global narratives to life, while the photography equipment showcase introduced audiences to the latest innovations from leading imaging brands. Relocation to Aljada The festival's relocation to Aljada also introduced an open-air exhibition format, enhancing audience engagement and creating new interactive experiences for visitors. Attendance and legacy The closing ceremony was attended by top officials, including Sheikh Saud bin Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Director General of the Sharjah Digital Authority; Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman of the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority; and many other distinguished guests. As the curtains fall on this year's edition, Xposure 2025 leaves behind a legacy of inspiration, innovation, and impact, having sparked meaningful conversations on the evolving landscape of visual storytelling. The festival continues to redefine the role of imagery in shaping global narratives, reaffirming its commitment to the power of photography as a force for change.
Sharjah 24
26-02-2025
- Sharjah 24
Xposure concluded its 9th edition with over 30000 visitors
Allay confirmed the successful conclusion of the 9th edition of the Xposure International Photography Festival, which saw a wide attendance exceeding 30,000 visitors. This was the first edition held in Aljada area of Sharjah, establishing the festival as a leading global platform in the world of photography and visual arts. In exclusive statements to "Sharjah 24," Allay emphasised that the festival attracted a select group of international and local photographers, offering interactive workshops, panel discussions, and specialised art exhibitions. This made it an exceptional event for photography enthusiasts and those interested in the visual arts. The large turnout highlights the festival's importance in enriching the artistic and educational landscape in photography and enhancing Sharjah's role as a global center for visual creativity. He expressed gratitude and appreciation to the participating photographers, workshop presenters, and everyone involved in the festival, commending the efforts of the organising teams that contributed to providing an exceptional experience for visitors and participants. He affirmed that 'Xposure' will continue to evolve and expand in future editions, remaining a primary destination for photographers and artists from around the world.
Gulf Today
26-02-2025
- Gulf Today
Landscape photographers capture fragility of planet
Landscape photography is an intimate dialogue between the photographer and nature, a process of emotional expression, and a journey into the raw beauty of the Earth's elements. At the ongoing 9th International Photography Festival (Xposure), two celebrated landscape photographers – Isabella Tabacchi and Filip Hrebenda – took the stage to share their profound artistic perspectives. Tabacchi took the audience on an emotional voyage across some of Earth's most majestic and fragile locations. 'Landscapes are not just rocks or trees,' she noted. 'A place can feel more alive than anything else, carrying our memories, our joy, our grief, or even our silence.' A session rich in personal stories, Tabacchi shared how her passion for volcanoes and remote landscapes shaped her work. Her fascination with the contrasts between calm and chaos was brought to life through stunning examples of her photography. One image, taken in Japan during the cherry blossom season, exuded serenity. 'It was a sunrise that made me feel completely at peace,' Tabacchi shared. 'I felt the gentle connection between the fleeting beauty of the blossoms and the eternal presence of Mount Fuji.' Tabacchi also shared her love for aerial perspectives, particularly her award-winning shot titled Tree of Life, taken in Iceland. 'Sometimes nature creates art so profound it doesn't need words. My job is to immortalise it and remind the world how breathtakingly fragile our planet is,' she said. Hrebenda's presentation was a philosophical ode to the elemental forces that shape our planet. Growing up amidst Slovakia's High Tatra mountains sparked the adventurer photographer's love for untamed landscapes. 'Standing on the peaks or in the heart of the wilderness, I feel small, like an ant in front of nature's grandeur,' he said. With his work deconstructed according to the natural elements, the visual montage of erupting volcanoes, icy glaciers, and windswept desert scenes transported the session's attendees into the raw beauty of the Earth. 'The elements – fire, water, air, earth, and space – are so much larger than us. They remind us of our insignificance in the universe, yet our deep connection to it,' Hrebenda said. His high-profile Born of Fire images, showing Icelandic volcanoes in full eruption, were a highlight. Equally moving was his exploration of water as an element. One of the most evocative elements was his depiction of space. Standing under the Northern Lights or the Milky Way in Iceland became moments of clarity for Hrebenda. 'It's not just the size of the universe that overwhelms you. When you look up, you realise how much is outside of ourselves. And it changes the way you see everything on Earth,' he added, visibly moved. Both photographers spoke to the collective responsibility of protecting these natural wonders. 'Photography,' Tabacchi noted, 'is not just art. It's a place where emotion meets action: a way to capture the soul of a landscape and motivate change.' Hrebenda echoed, 'People protect what they love, and they can only love what they understand. That's our job as photographers, to help them see what's worth saving.' Organised by the Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB), Xposure 2025 runs until Feb.26. Earlier, Xposure unveiled the winners of its most prestigious initiatives, celebrating the pinnacle of photojournalism and global visual storytelling. Palestinian photographer Saher Alghorra was announced as the overall winner of the Independent Freelance Photojournalist Award (IFPA), while the Global Focus Project (GFP) honoured 12 exceptional photographers highlighting their diverse works and contributions. The IFPA designed to recognise outstanding photojournalism, announced its winners from a shortlist of seven entries. In a ceremony attended by industry peers and photography enthusiasts, Tariq Saeed Allay, Director-General of Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB), handed over the awards.
