Xposure International Photography Festival 2026 Explores the Truth of Portraiture
At a time when images are increasingly shaped by manipulation, speed, and spectacle, the Xposure International Photography Festival 2026 is focusing its lens on the human face—one of our most enduring records of truth.
A central highlight of the festival’s landmark 10th edition is the People & Portraiture Zone, which delves into portrait photography as a dynamic space where identity, memory, and lived experience are cultivated with care, responsibility, and depth.
Held at Aljada, Sharjah from 29th January to 4th February 2026, this Zone brings together six exhibitions by photographers spanning documentary, cinematic, and research-driven practices. The body of work presented demonstrates how portraiture remains a vital witness to both personal and collective histories—especially as the very nature of images grows ever more unstable in today’s world.
Framed by the festival’s theme, “A Decade of Visual Storytelling,” the People & Portraiture Zone distinguishes the portrait not as a static image, but as an ongoing relationship between photographer and subject. Across these exhibitions, faces become archives of survival, belonging, loss, and cultural identity, bringing to light how human stories evolve over time rather than being encapsulated in a single moment.
The photographers showcased represent a rare merging of specialised practices within contemporary portraiture. Among them, Tarik Khoja approaches the portrait as a study in visual identity, drawing from heritage, place, and the intricate codes of belonging that define how individuals are perceived within their societies. Deanne Fitzmaurice, a Pulitzer Prize–winning photojournalist, presents her critically acclaimed long-form human narrative, Operation Lion Heart, which meticulously examines recovery and resilience in conflict aftermaths, marked by both rigor and restraint. Ana Backhaus explores the intimate realm of the family archive, using documentary photography to trace the threads of memory, intergenerational connection, and loss as fundamental human experiences.
Adding to this rich tapestry, Pete Muller infuses his portraits with cinematic precision, capturing moments where movement, presence, and psychological tension reveal character beyond the still frame. In the exhibition The Faces of Mexico: A Study In Truth & Perception, Richard Cawood probes the nature of photographic truth by deploying high-contrast portrait studies informed by his research into artificial intelligence and perception. Meanwhile, Mohammed Muhtasib anchors his work in women and cultural identity, positioning portraiture as both documentation and a testimony to ongoing social narratives.
The Zone extends beyond exhibitions into a series of live talks featuring participating photographers, giving audiences an inside look into how powerful portraits are conceived, developed, and sustained. These sessions delve into not just image-making techniques, but also tackle the complex ethical questions that arise when depicting trauma, vulnerability, and personal histories. Key talks include “Image-Making Between Art and Imagination” and “Saleh’s Story” on 1st February, as well as “How Stories Can Save Us”, a conversation with Ana Backhaus, on 4th February.
Organised by the Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB), Xposure 2026 stands as the festival’s most globally significant edition yet, gathering more than 420 photographers, filmmakers, and visual artists across 95 exhibitions and 3,200 artworks. The vibrant event also features a full programme of talks, workshops, and portfolio reviews. The festival’s international awards saw a record 29,000 photography submissions and 634 film entries from 60 countries, highlighting the growing global commitment to the power and urgency of visual storytelling.
Team V.4-EM-UAE
