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Join Us in Celebrating Outstanding Achievements in Photography and Film

OUR AWARD PROGRAMS

The annual Xposure Photography Award programs are a great way to get your work seen by a wider audience, receive feedback from professionals in the field, and receive cash prizes. All Xposure award programs are free to enter.

The International Photography & Film awards are open to photographers of all levels, from amateurs to professionals. There are eight main categories, including one for short films, to choose from. The overall winner receives a $6,000 prize, while category winners receive a $3,000 prize. Additionally, the second place entry in each category will receive a $1,500 prize, and the following five highest scored entries in each category will have their nominated entry exhibited during the annual festival.

Our prestigious IFPA photography award program is open to professional independent & freelance photojournalists worldwide and offers a top prize of $15,000. A panel of international experts judges the contest, and the first and second winning photo essays are exhibited during the Xposure festival.

Another free-to-enter photography award program we offer is the Junior Photography Awards with equipment prizes. Whether you’re a professional photographer or an amateur shooter, we have a program for you.

INTERNATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY & FILM AWARDS

The International Photography & Film Awards are now open for entries. This is your chance to have your work recognised on a global stage and to receive cash prizes and other accolades.

The Awards are open to professionals and amateurs over 18, so whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting, we encourage you to enter up to 10 images or films.

There are nine categories to choose from, so whatever your speciality, we want to see your best work.

Categories:

Architectural Photography
Drone Photography
Junior* (Special Rules & Conditions Apply)
Mobile Photography**
Nature & Landscape
Night Photography**
Photojournalism
Portraiture
Short Film & Moving Image
Street Photography

This award is for amateur & professional photographers over the age of 18 years at the time of entry.

JUNIOR PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS

The Junior Photography Awards are an annual competition open to residents of the United Arab Emirates aged 18 and under. The competition is free to enter, and open to all types of still photography recorded by phone, DLSR, or mirrorless camera and produced at an amateur level. Photos must have been taken in the past three years. Entrants must be residents of the United Arab Emirates.

Entries are judged by a panel of professional photographers and industry experts. The top seven placed images will be exhibited at the Xposure festival and additional equipment prizes will be awarded to first and second place.

Past winners have gone on to build successful portfolios in photography, and the Junior Photography Awards provide an excellent opportunity for aspiring photographers to showcase their talent.

Category: OPEN

This award is for those under 18’s residing in the United Arab Emirates.
Open for entries – until 30th October 2023 at 23:00 GST – Gulf Standard Time (Standard Time) is (UTC +4)

INDEPENDENT & FREELANCE PHOTOJOURNALIST AWARD

The Independent & Freelance Photojournalist Award is given annually to a photojournalist who has made a significant contribution to the field of visual journalism. The award recognises the photojournalist’s dedication to their craft and commitment to telling the stories of the world around us.

Enter Photo Essays in up to 3 categories with a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 12 images per essay.

Categories:
Spot News
Environment
Solutions.

This award is for professional press photographers.
Open for entries – until 15th October 2023 at 23:00 GST – Gulf Standard Time (Standard Time) is (UTC +4)

THE GLOBAL FOCUS PROJECT

The “Global Focus Project” Nomination Program is an initiative that aims to celebrate and recognise the talent and creativity of photographers worldwide. The program seeks to identify and select an outstanding male and female photographer from each of the six continents, namely Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Europe, and Oceania. These twelve photographers will be invited to Sharjah and awarded for their work and contributions to the field of photography.

The project is open to all photographers from every photographic field, from fashion to documentary, street to editorial, and portrait to nature. Selected photographers will showcase their work at the Xposure International Photography Festival, emphasising inclusivity and diversity. Photographers will also have the opportunity to share their work with a global audience and potentially get it published in various media outlets.

#SEE SHARJAH

The #SeeSharjah award, hosted by the Xposure International Photography & Film Festival, invites photographers from around the world to capture the essence of Sharjah, Entrants can submit up to 10 photos in categories of Urban Landscapes, Cultural Heritage, Nature & Scenic Beauty, and People & Daily Life.

High-resolution images with English titles and captions detailing the location are required for the jury. Selected entries will be showcased at the festival, offering a global platform to celebrate Sharjah’s rich heritage and vibrant culture through captivating imagery.

2022 NOMINEES & WINNERS