Sharjah: The 10th edition of the Xposure International Photography Festival 2026 will host a Documentary Zone, focusing on long-form visual projects rooted in research, fieldwork, and storytelling over time.
According to Emirates News Agency, the zone will present 13 documentary exhibitions by photographers employing various approaches and practices. These exhibitions address themes such as climate change, displacement, identity, memory, and cultural customs and traditions. The showcased works invite visitors to experience photography as a complete visual narrative, emphasizing ethical responsibility and truthful documentation.
To further engage the public with documentary photography, Xposure 2026 will organize a series of talks and workshops, allowing visitors to interact with photographers exhibiting at the Documentary Zone. These talks will delve into the development of long-term projects, the challenges of field photography in sensitive and high-risk environments, and the ethics of documentary visual storytelling.
Notable practitioners featured in the Documentary Zone include Michael Yamashita, a renowned National Geographic photographer; Tomasz Tomaszewski, known for his human-centered work in sensitive environments; Philippe Chancel, whose projects explore political change and identity; and Anush Babajanyan, who focuses on extended field projects in conflict zones and contexts of social transformation.
The exhibitions will cover various themes. The environment and climate theme will visually explore how environmental changes affect local communities, addressing issues such as coastal erosion, declining natural resources, and agricultural challenges. The conflict, displacement, and social transformation theme will document the impact of war and major political changes on individuals and communities, highlighting photography as a tool for understanding life beyond headline moments.
In the memory, traditions, and identity of place theme, exhibitions will focus on the relationship between people and their cultural and urban environments. Projects will document rituals, religious practices, and abandoned architecture as witnesses to time and transformation. The science and visual research theme will highlight projects that translate scientific knowledge into accessible visual storytelling, covering climate research, polar regions, deep ice samples, and marine environments.
Several talks are scheduled during the festival. On January 29th, Italian photographer Matilde Gattoni will present 'Ocean Rage: West Africa Is Being Swallowed by The Sea', focusing on coastal erosion and climate change in West Africa. Photographer Shoayb Khattab will deliver 'Focus. Frame. Fulfil', discussing building a professional practice in photography. On January 31st, Tomasz Tomaszewski will discuss 'How to Build Trust in Difficult Places', and Anush Babajanyan will present 'After the Aral Sea', exploring the aftermath of a retreating sea.
On February 2nd, Lukasz Larsson Warzecha will present 'Stories Trapped in Ice', examining how deep ice samples preserve records of climate and human events. On February 3rd, Tim Smith will lead 'The Art of Screwing up and Embracing Your Weaknesses', exploring how to transform mistakes into an intentional creative process while maintaining respect for communities and context.
The festival's 10th edition brings together global experts through a programme featuring over 126 sessions and inspiring talks, 72 workshops, and 280 portfolio review sessions. Additionally, 95 exhibitions will present 3,200 artworks. The Xposure International Photography and Film Awards 2026 received 29,000 photography entries and 634 film submissions from 60 countries, showcasing the festival's global reach and commitment to socially and environmentally responsible visual platforms.