Sharjah: The Xposure International Photography Festival 2026, organised by the Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB), has announced the launch of the Xposure Legacy Awards, a cultural initiative introduced for the first time as part of the festival's tenth edition. The awards are dedicated to honouring exhibitions that demonstrate lasting intellectual and cultural impact through visual storytelling and reflect Xposure's evolving role as a platform for knowledge, dialogue, and long-term influence.
According to Emirates News Agency, the Xposure Legacy Awards are presented across three main categories: the Noor Ali Rashid Legacy Award for Documentary Vision, the Saleh Al Ustad Legacy Award for Creative Photography, and the Beeah Award for Environmental and Conservation Photography. Together, these categories highlight the breadth of visual storytelling, spanning humanitarian documentation, artistic innovation, and environmental responsibility.
The awards adopt an evaluation model that combines public engagement with expert critical assessment, reinforcing their cultural credibility. Winners will be announced during the closing ceremony of Xposure 2026 on 4 February 2026, recognising exhibitions that have established a visual and intellectual legacy extending beyond the festival.
Alya Al Suwaidi, Director of SGMB, remarked on Xposure's vision for the Legacy Awards, emphasizing an expanded understanding of cultural legacy. She described it as a living impact that extends across time, educating and equipping generations with tools to understand the world through imagery. From this perspective, visual storytelling becomes a universal human language capable of building collective memory and deepening understanding.
The Noor Ali Rashid Legacy Award for Documentary Vision honours exhibitions that address humanitarian and social issues with depth and responsibility. Named after the late Emirati photographer Noor Ali Rashid, the award celebrates documentary exhibitions that present honest visual narratives and contribute to preserving collective visual memory.
The Saleh Al Ustad Legacy Award for Creative Photography celebrates exhibitions that demonstrate creative excellence and artistic innovation. Named after a pioneer of the artistic movement in the UAE, it recognises exhibitions that expand the boundaries of visual storytelling and reaffirm photography's role as a living art form.
The Beeah Award for Environmental and Conservation Photography, sponsored by BEEAH Group, honors exhibitions that deepen environmental awareness and promote responsibility toward environmental protection. It recognises visual narratives that present nature as a living system requiring understanding and care.
The Xposure Awards form a central pillar of the festival, contributing to the advancement of professional standards in visual storytelling and celebrating works capable of generating meaningful impact.
The tenth edition of the Xposure International Photography Festival, held under the theme 'A Decade of Visual Storytelling' from 29th January to 4th February 2026, features more than 420 photographers, filmmakers, and visual artists, presenting 95 exhibitions and a cultural programme of over 570 events.