Xposure 2026 Documentary Zone Highlights Climate & Conflict

The 10th edition of the Xposure International Photography Festival 2026 will feature a special Documentary Zone showcasing long-term visual projects built on research, fieldwork, and storytelling. The zone will present 13 exhibitions by photographers exploring climate change, conflict, displacement, memory, identity, and cultural traditions.

Visitors will experience photography as a complete visual narrative, emphasizing ethical responsibility and truthful documentation. The festival also offers talks and workshops, where photographers will discuss project development, fieldwork in sensitive environments, and ethical storytelling practices.

Environmental Change and Climate Challenges

Prominent photographers in the Documentary Zone include Michael Yamashita (National Geographic), Tomasz Tomaszewski, Philippe Chancel, and Anush Babajanyan, presenting projects on environmental shifts affecting communities. Exhibitions highlight coastal erosion, shrinking lakes, and changing agricultural practices, showing the enduring relationship between humans and the land.

Conflict and Social Transformation

Exhibitions also focus on war, displacement, and political change, documenting how communities rebuild life after conflict. Through long-term follow-ups, photography here becomes a tool to understand life beyond the headlines.

Memory, Identity, and Cultural Traditions

Projects in this theme explore the bond between people and their cultural or urban environments. From rituals and religious practices to abandoned architecture, photography preserves memories and identity over time.

Science and Visual Research

Some exhibitions turn scientific research into visual stories. Projects cover polar regions, marine environments, and climate studies, bridging data and public understanding while maintaining accuracy.

Highlighted Talks

• Jan 29, 14:15 – Matilde Gattoni: Ocean Rage: West Africa Is Being Swallowed by The Sea

• Jan 29, 15:35 – Shoayb Khattab: Focus. Frame. Fulfil

• Jan 31, 15:55 – Tomasz Tomaszewski: How to Build Trust in Difficult Places

• Jan 31, 17:25 – Anush Babajanyan: After the Aral Sea

• Feb 2, 22:00 – Lukasz Larsson Warzecha: Stories Trapped in Ice

• Feb 3, 17:00 – Tim Smith: The Art of Screwing Up and Embracing Your Weaknesses

The Documentary Zone underlines Xposure 2026’s focus on responsible, research-driven photography, promoting long-term visual storytelling as a key way to understand the world’s changes.

Festival Overview

Organised by the Sharjah Government Media Bureau, Xposure 2026 runs from January 29 to February 4 at Aljada, Sharjah, under the theme “A Decade of Visual Storytelling”. The festival features 126+ sessions, 72 workshops, 280 portfolio reviews, and 95 exhibitions with 3,200 artworks. The Xposure Photography and Film Awards 2026 received 29,000 photography entries and 634 film submissions from 60 countries, highlighting the festival’s global reach and commitment to socially and environmentally responsible visual storytelling.