The 10th edition of Xposure International Photography Festival, taking place from 29 January to 4 February 2026 at Aljada, Sharjah, will present an expanded film programme that places cinema at the centre of its milestone edition, led by headline global conversations, 66 curated film screenings and the introduction of an outdoor cinema component.

Organised by the Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB) under the theme “A Decade of Visual Storytelling”, Xposure 2026 positions film as a core pillar of its cultural, educational, and professional offering. Across seven days, the programme brings together internationally recognised filmmakers, producers and industry figures through opening-stage conversations, live sessions, workshops, screenings, and awards, reinforcing Xposure’s role as a global platform for visual culture.

 

Cinema shapes the direction of Xposure 2026

The film programme opens as part of Xposure’s Opening Ceremony with Visual Stories That Change Everything, a live conversation between media presenter Kris Fade and international film and television executive Sanford R. Climan.

Climan, CEO of Entertainment Media Ventures, brings decades of experience developing and producing major studio films and television projects, and has held senior advisory roles within the global film industry, including the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The conversation examines how visual storytelling shapes public understanding, empathy, and cultural responsibility, setting the editorial tone for Xposure’s film programme.

Global film conversations and industry voices

Building on the Opening Ceremony, Xposure 2026 presents a series of film-focused conversations examining cinema’s role within culture and global influence.

Studio executive and producer Glenn Gainor, who has held senior leadership roles across major Hollywood studios, joins Oscar-winning producer Odessa Rae, known for The Voice of Hind Rajab, for a panel discussion on cinema as soft power and its influence on public discourse.

The programme also features cinematographer Abraham Joffe, known for his work on the Netflix documentary mini-series Our Oceans. Joffe presents the UAE premiere of Trade Secret: You Thought They Were Protected, followed by a live discussion with journalist Adam Cruise examining investigative filmmaking, conservation storytelling, and ethical responsibility.

Film workshops and professional development

Xposure 2026 continues to strengthen its role as a professional development platform through a series of paid film workshops led by internationally recognised filmmakers and industry practitioners. These hands-on sessions address filmmaking as both a creative practice and a profession, with a focus on storytelling, performance, production and emerging technologies.

World-renowned filmmaker, Oscar-winning Martin Desmond Roe leads an intensive multi-day workshop guiding participants through the complete process of making a short film, from concept development to final edit. The wider workshop programme also includes sessions examining the impact of artificial intelligence on the film industry, the relationship between screenwriting and performance, and the foundations of professional acting.

Places are limited, and participants are encouraged to book in advance. Full workshop details and registration are available at workshops.xposure.net/film-workshops/.

 

 

Curated film screenings across 7 days

Xposure 2026 will present 66 film screenings over seven days, delivered through dedicated indoor cinema spaces, with selected screenings also taking place in newly introduced outdoor viewing areas within the festival grounds. The screening programme features documentary, narrative, and experimental films by photographers and filmmakers participating in the festival.

Screenings are scheduled throughout the day and evening to align with exhibitions, talks and live sessions, allowing audiences to integrate cinema naturally into their festival experience. All films are screened in full, offering audiences the opportunity to engage closely with the stories and creative voices behind them.

Xposure International Photography and Film Awards 2026

The festival continues its film programme with the Xposure International Photography and Film Awards 2026, which recorded the highest level of participation in the festival’s history. The awards received 29,000 photography submissions and 634 film entries from more than 60 countries, reflecting the festival’s growing international reach.

The Xposure Film Awards honour filmmakers, educators, and professionals who contribute to the advancement of visual storytelling across four categories that include Best Cinematic Arts Award, Best Visual Effects, Best Documentary Feature, and Best Short Film, reinforcing cinema’s integral role within the festival’s creative ecosystem. Through this programme, cinema is further affirmed as an integral part of Xposure’s creative ecosystem.

A Decade of Visual Storytelling

As Xposure marks its 10th edition under the theme “A Decade of Visual Storytelling”, the film programme reflects the festival’s evolution into a multi-layered cultural platform. Film is integrated across opening conversations, professional development, public screenings and awards, contributing to Xposure’s wider examination of how images have shaped culture, empathy and truth over the past decade, and how visual storytelling will influence the future.

With more than 420 photographers, filmmakers and visual artists, 95 exhibitions, 3,200 artworks and over 570 creative events, Xposure 2026 positions Sharjah as a global meeting point for photography, film, and visual culture.

Registration for Xposure 2026 is now open. Programme details and updates are available at www.xposure.net.