Photography Contest
Xposure International Photography & Film 2024
Deadline |
CLOSEDTheme |
Several categoriesTerritory |
WorldwideEligibility |
Open to allEntry Fees |
FREEPrizes |
Cash PrizeThe Xposure International Photography & Film Festival, held annually in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, is a premier platform celebrating the art of visual storytelling. It is a nexus for photographers, filmmakers, and visual artists worldwide, offering a dynamic blend of exhibitions, workshops, and masterclasses. Notably, the festival hosts over 80 solo galleries, showcasing the diverse talents of leading and emerging photographers.
In addition to its rich visual arts showcase, Xposure fosters collaboration and innovation through initiatives like the Global Focus Project and the Independent & Freelance Photojournalism Awards (IFPA). These programs recognise and support talent from around the globe, providing opportunities for artists to amplify their voices and share their stories on an international stage.
Moreover, Xposure actively attracts industry experts from various fields, creating a vibrant ecosystem of learning and exchange. Through panel discussions, networking sessions, and interactive experiences, the festival cultivates a community where creatives and professionals can connect, learn, and grow.
The Xposure International Photography & Film Festival celebrates visual arts and is a platform that honours excellence through its prestigious FREE TO ENTER photography awards programs. Our international awards program features eight categories open to all nationalities aged 18 and above. With prizes of $3,000 for first place and $1,500 for second place in each category, participants can showcase their talent and compete globally. Moreover, the overall winner with the best single image will receive an impressive $6,000 prize.
But that's not all—winners in each category and the overall winner will be awarded flights and accommodation to attend the seven-day festival and awards ceremony. This opportunity recognises their achievement and offers a platform for networking and further exposure. Their winning images will also be exhibited during the festival, reaching a diverse audience and amplifying their impact.
In addition to our international awards, we proudly host a separate program dedicated to independent and freelance photojournalists. With a first-place prize of $15,000 and complimentary flights and accommodation for the winner and a guest, this program acknowledges the impactful work of journalists who capture the essence of our world through their lenses. The second-placed entry also receives flights and accommodation for two persons, ensuring recognition and support for their invaluable contributions to photojournalism. Similarly, the winning images from this program will also be exhibited during the festival, allowing attendees to experience the power of photojournalism firsthand.
At Xposure, we celebrate and nurture talent, providing a platform where creativity thrives, and stories are told with passion and authenticity.
International Awards 2024 runs from 1 May to 15 September 2024 with a prize pool of 36,000 USD
Categories: Architectural Photography
Mobile Photography
Nature & Landscape
Night Photography
Portraiture
Photo-manipulation and AI
Sports Photography
Street Photography
Independent & Freelance Photojournalist Award (IFPA) runs from 1 May to 1 October 2024 with One winner One runner-up and Three Awards of Merit. Entries can be submitted into three categories: Spot News, Environmental and Solutions.
Prizes & Benefits
Prizes & Benefits Overall Winner – $6,000 (USD) / Flights and accommodation to the Awards Ceremony in Sharjah UAE / Included in the Xposure festival exhibition
Category Winners – $3,000 (USD) / Flights and accommodation to the Awards Ceremony in Sharjah UAE / Included in the Xposure festival exhibition
Category Runner-up – $1,500 (USD) / Included in the Xposure festival exhibition / Flights and accommodation to the Awards Ceremony in Sharjah UAE
Nominees – Online Exhibition/image displayed during the Xposure Festival
Junior Category for under 18 – UAE Residents. This is a restricted “Junior” category for residents of the United Arab Emirates who are under 18. non-cash prizes of digital camera equipment, and included in the Xposure festival exhibition.
Junior Category under 18 ‘Winner & Runner-up’ non-cash prizes of digital camera equipment and included in the Xposure festival exhibition.
In addition to its rich visual arts showcase, Xposure fosters collaboration and innovation through initiatives like the Global Focus Project and the Independent & Freelance Photojournalism Awards (IFPA). These programs recognise and support talent from around the globe, providing opportunities for artists to amplify their voices and share their stories on an international stage.
Moreover, Xposure actively attracts industry experts from various fields, creating a vibrant ecosystem of learning and exchange. Through panel discussions, networking sessions, and interactive experiences, the festival cultivates a community where creatives and professionals can connect, learn, and grow.
The Xposure International Photography & Film Festival celebrates visual arts and is a platform that honours excellence through its prestigious FREE TO ENTER photography awards programs. Our international awards program features eight categories open to all nationalities aged 18 and above. With prizes of $3,000 for first place and $1,500 for second place in each category, participants can showcase their talent and compete globally. Moreover, the overall winner with the best single image will receive an impressive $6,000 prize.
But that's not all—winners in each category and the overall winner will be awarded flights and accommodation to attend the seven-day festival and awards ceremony. This opportunity recognises their achievement and offers a platform for networking and further exposure. Their winning images will also be exhibited during the festival, reaching a diverse audience and amplifying their impact.
In addition to our international awards, we proudly host a separate program dedicated to independent and freelance photojournalists. With a first-place prize of $15,000 and complimentary flights and accommodation for the winner and a guest, this program acknowledges the impactful work of journalists who capture the essence of our world through their lenses. The second-placed entry also receives flights and accommodation for two persons, ensuring recognition and support for their invaluable contributions to photojournalism. Similarly, the winning images from this program will also be exhibited during the festival, allowing attendees to experience the power of photojournalism firsthand.
At Xposure, we celebrate and nurture talent, providing a platform where creativity thrives, and stories are told with passion and authenticity.
International Awards 2024 runs from 1 May to 15 September 2024 with a prize pool of 36,000 USD
Categories: Architectural Photography
Mobile Photography
Nature & Landscape
Night Photography
Portraiture
Photo-manipulation and AI
Sports Photography
Street Photography
Independent & Freelance Photojournalist Award (IFPA) runs from 1 May to 1 October 2024 with One winner One runner-up and Three Awards of Merit. Entries can be submitted into three categories: Spot News, Environmental and Solutions.
Prizes & Benefits
Prizes & Benefits Overall Winner – $6,000 (USD) / Flights and accommodation to the Awards Ceremony in Sharjah UAE / Included in the Xposure festival exhibition
Category Winners – $3,000 (USD) / Flights and accommodation to the Awards Ceremony in Sharjah UAE / Included in the Xposure festival exhibition
Category Runner-up – $1,500 (USD) / Included in the Xposure festival exhibition / Flights and accommodation to the Awards Ceremony in Sharjah UAE
Nominees – Online Exhibition/image displayed during the Xposure Festival
Junior Category for under 18 – UAE Residents. This is a restricted “Junior” category for residents of the United Arab Emirates who are under 18. non-cash prizes of digital camera equipment, and included in the Xposure festival exhibition.
Junior Category under 18 ‘Winner & Runner-up’ non-cash prizes of digital camera equipment and included in the Xposure festival exhibition.
Featured Photo Contest
AAP Magazine #50 / SHAPES
$1,000 cash prizes | Winning image(s) published in AAP Magazine #50 | Extensive press coverage and global recognition
© Jo Fields
Best Photography Contests in 2024
Each year, there are hundreds of photography competitions all over the world, so we've decided to select for you the best of the best! Our selection of the best photo contests in 2024 is thoroughly curated to help you, whether you are a professional photographer or an amateur, to help find your next creative breakthrough. These all-star competitions offer the greatest opportunities for international exposure and/or incredible financial benefits. Some of them are closing soon, so get your photo submissions in!
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ENDS 07/15/25
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ENDS 07/22/25
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ENDS 07/29/25
Our 50th printed issue of AAP Magazine will feature the best projects showcasing the theme "Shapes".
ENDS 07/31/25
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ENDS 08/01/25
TIFA connects photographers from around the world with the creative community in Tokyo, Japan, providing them with an excellent platform to present their work to a new market.
ENDS 08/05/25
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ENDS 08/15/25
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ENDS 09/01/25
The Ian Parry Scholarship is divided into two categories: The Sunday Times Award for Achievement and The Canon Award for Potential.
ENDS 09/01/25
The winner receives a €25,000 cash award to develop the project within ten months
ENDS 09/05/25
The Paris Photo–Aperture Foundation PhotoBook Awards celebrate the photobook's contribution to the evolving narrative of photography
ENDS 09/15/25
We are excited to offer one (1) $20,000 grant and six (6) $5,000 grants to help bring these vital stories to life.
ENDS 10/01/25
The Center for Photographic Art (CPA) is excited to announce the 2025 International Juried Exhibition with $5,000 in awards!
ENDS 01/06/26
First place receives Sony Digital Imaging equipment and inclusion in the Sony World Photography Awards exhibition and book
ENDS 01/06/26
Dedicated to young photographers under 19 years-old - first prize is top Sony digital imaging equipment plus benefit from global exposure
ENDS 01/06/26
Rewarding the best single images! Enter for free and you could win $5,000, top Sony digital imaging equipment plus more!
ENDS 01/13/26
Rewarding the best photo series worldwide! Enter for free and you could win $25,000, a range of Sony digital imaging equipment plus more!
ENDS 02/15/26
Art is born out of passion. Fine Art photography is a perfect instrument, which allows a person to communicate with the world and share their vision. It results from the author's deep sensitivity, a need to express feelings through image.