Xposure enhances its appeal with entertainment space with X Darya
A first-time collaboration Xposure X Darya is an open-air cultural hub; a vibe. Anchored in open-air vitality, the space has been curated for every member of the community to find joy, creativity, and inspiration—not just behind the camera, but in every aspect of life. Here's some of the many experiences on offer:
A feast for food lovers
Savour the sights and smells of diverse cuisines at food joints and cafes dotted across the open area. From local favourites to international flavours, your taste buds are in for a treat.
A play haven for kids
Family-friendly doesn't begin to cover it. Your little ones will find hours of joy in the thoughtfully designed children's open areas, leaving the grown-ups free to explore.
For the hands-on creative
Whether you're a hobbyist or simply curious, take advantage of interactive workshops running throughout the festival, led by global experts passionate about their craft.
An urban getaway
Open spaces make Xposure X Darya the perfect spot to unwind, collaborate, or simply enjoy a backdrop worthy of any photo.
At its core, Xposure 2025 remains a celebration of the lens—offering insight into how photographers and filmmakers capture, challenge, and change the way we see our world. With the addition of Darya, the festival bridges the gap between art and life.
Xposure X Darya 2025 is an invitation to linger, learn, and let the sights and sounds of Aljada reawaken the senses. Whether you're a seasoned photographer, an aspiring filmmaker, or simply a lover of compelling stories, this is the space where the image becomes an experience.
The festival runs until February 26 at Aljada, Sharjah, and is a free-to-attend exhibition. For details and more information, visit
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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.
Gulf Today
25-02-2025
- Gulf Today
Xposure X Darya: Open-air cultural hub ramps up fest's appeal
The International Photography Festival (Xposure) 2025, the Middle East's largest celebration of visual storytelling has returned to Sharjah for its 9th and biggest-yet edition in Sharjah's swanky new hub 'Aljada' with a complete reimagination of how culture, family, and community converge.A first-time collaboration, Xposure X Darya is an open-air cultural hub; a vibe. Anchored in open-air vitality, the space has been curated for every member of the community to find joy, creativity, and inspiration — not just behind the camera, but in every aspect of life. Here's some of the many experiences on offer:A feast for food lovers: Savour the sights and smells of diverse cuisines at food joints and cafes dotted across the open area. From local favourites to international flavours, your taste buds are in for a treat.A play haven for kids: Family-friendly doesn't begin to cover it. Your little ones will find hours of joy in the thoughtfully designed children's open areas, leaving the grown-ups free to the hands-on creative: Whether you're a hobbyist or simply curious, take advantage of interactive workshops running throughout the festival, led by global experts passionate about their craft. An urban getaway: Open spaces make Xposure X Darya the perfect spot to unwind, collaborate, or simply enjoy a backdrop worthy of any its core, Xposure 2025 remains a celebration of the lens — offering insight into how photographers and filmmakers capture, challenge, and change the way we see our world. With the addition of Darya, the festival bridges the gap between art and X Darya 2025 is an invitation to linger, learn, and let the sights and sounds of Aljada reawaken the senses. Whether you're a seasoned photographer, an aspiring filmmaker, or simply a lover of compelling stories, this is the space where the image becomes an experience. The festival runs until February 26 at Aljada, Sharjah, and is a free-to-attend exhibition. For details and more information, visit photographerParticipants honed their skills in impactful storytelling through images under the guidance of celebrated Venezuelan photographer Ana Maria Arevalo Gosen at a Focus Group session titled 'Eyes on the Impact' at the 9th edition of the International Photography Festival, Xposure, at Aljada, Sharjah on February 21. Amateur as well as professional photographers shared their ideas for creating impactful stories – on tackling climate change and rising sea levels, portraits of artists on stage, and conserving giant armadillos. Gosen encouraged them to rethink their creative processes and discover new ways to align their work with ethical and community-focussed goals, thus ensuring storytelling becomes a meaningful force for change. National Geographic Explorer, whose impact-driven projects have addressed women's rights, social justice and environmental issues, Gosen referenced her own work on Unomia – an invasive coral species from Indonesia, which harmed Venezuelan waters affecting the livelihood of its coastal people. Her images helped garner community and governmental action. Participants applied her six-step process – goals, audience, platforms, call to action, success metrics and creativity – to think up a project that they wanted to create impact with. They identified their audiences and collaborators, platforms and action plans systematically under her gentle and friendly prodding. 'What is the ultimate change you want to achieve by telling your story, and secondly, what is a more specific goal you could set to contribute to that change?' She asked them to give them four minutes to visualise each step. She distinguished between strong and weak calls to action, and the advantages of various communication platforms. Through reflection and storytelling, the group sharpened their photojournalistic talent into a co-creative process that honoured the integrity of those portrayed while addressing ethical challenges and emphasising social Gosen, who has won numerous awards, was also scheduled to hold a five-hour workshop on Intimacy and Photography on February 22 for photographers of all aptitudes apart from a presentation titled 'Eternal Days: How Access and Trust Shaped my Work in Latin American Prisons' on February 26. The talk will offer an intimate perspective, through compelling photographs, on the hidden worlds of incarcerated women in Latin American nations Venezuela, El Salvador and by the Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB), Xposure 2025 runs till February 26. It features 100-plus galleries, over 300 renowned photographers and over 2,500 pictures.
Sharjah 24
25-02-2025
- Sharjah 24
AlHattawi shares passion for shooting UAE's breathtaking nature
AlHattawi shared the inspiring story of his passion and early experiences in capturing the beauty of Emirati nature during his dialogue session titled 'The Secrets of Wildlife Photography.' This event was part of Xposure 2025, organized by the Sharjah Government Media Bureau in the Aljada area. He shared with 'Sharjah 24' that his passion for capturing the UAE's natural beauty stems from its rich diversity of rare and stunning wildlife. The landscapes here possess a unique charm and allure that set them apart from environments in Africa and Southeast Asia. A prime example is the Arabian oryx, a species that once teetered on the brink of extinction. Thanks to the tireless efforts of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the UAE has transformed into the world's largest sanctuary for the Arabian oryx today. The Emirati photographer encouraged fellow photographers to take full advantage of Xposure, emphasizing its value as a source of inspiration. Attendees have the opportunity to explore exhibitions featuring international photographers who have captured the beauty of nature and wildlife through their lenses across various photography styles. In addition to these exhibits, participants can engage in workshops and dialogue sessions, where they can share ideas and insights with photographers who express the essence of their creative journeys.
