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, expressed that Xposure's vision for the Legacy Awards is rooted in an expanded understanding of cultural legacy, viewing it as a living impact that extends across time. She emphasized that true legacy remains present in collective awareness, educating and equipping successive generations with tools to understand the world through imagery. She noted that visual storytelling, when presented responsibly, becomes a universal human language capable of building collective memory and deepening human understanding.
The Noor Ali Rashid Legacy Award for Documentary Vision acknowledges exhibitions addressing humanitarian and social issues with depth and responsibility. It honours documentary exhibitions that engage with human experience in its complexity and contribute to preserving collective visual memory for future generations.
The Saleh Al Ustad Legacy Award for Creative Photography celebrates exhibitions demonstrating creative excellence and artistic innovation. This award recognises exhibitions that expand the boundaries of visual storytelling and reaffirm photography's role as a living art form shaped by contemporary cultural and aesthetic change.
The Beeah Award for Environmental and Conservation Photography, sponsored by BEEAH Group, honours exhibitions that deepen environmental awareness and promote responsibility toward environmental protection and sustainability. It recognises visual narratives that transform imagery into a call for reflection and shared responsibility in the face of global environmental challenges.
The Xposure Awards, across their various categories, form a central pillar of the festival, contributing to the advancement of professional and cultural standards in visual storytelling. They support emerging and established talent and celebrate works capable of generating meaningful intellectual and human 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, gathers more than 420 photographers, filmmakers, and visual artists worldwide. The event features 95 exhibitions comprising over 3,200 artworks and includes a cultural programme of more than 570 events, including talks and workshops.