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 #56 / SHADOWS
$1,000 cash prizes | Winning image(s) published in AAP Magazine #56 | Website feature and International Press
© Francesco Pace Rizzi
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!
ENDS 03/13/26
The biennial Belfast Photo Festival provided the perfect platform for gaining exposure to an international audience, with previous editions having welcome over 100,000 visitors from all over the world
ENDS 03/13/26
The 28th edition of the PICTO Fashion Photography Award holds a special significance for the PICTO Foundation.
ENDS 03/15/26
‘On the Block’ celebrates the unposed, unfiltered, and fleeting moments that define the art of documenting everyday life, whether in dense urban streets or sleepy rural towns.
ENDS 03/16/26
The prize is endowed with €5,000 to use as the winner sees fit.
ENDS 03/17/26
Be Featured in our April 2026 Online Juried Solo Exhibition!
ENDS 03/19/26
Our 56th printed issue of AAP Magazine will feature the best projects showcasing the theme "Shadows".
ENDS 03/21/26
The FORMAT Portfolio Review is returning in 2026. It will take place online on Friday 20 and Saturday 21 March.
ENDS 03/29/26
Be seen, be supported, and be part of Head On Photo Festival 2026.
ENDS 03/31/26
If you're a passionate amateur or professional photographer, we invite you to share your photographic project with us.
ENDS 03/31/26
Selected photobooks will be featured in Der Greif’s Articles section, including a dedicated editorial feature highlighting the project, its context, and the maker(s).
ENDS 03/31/26
Entries are open worldwide to photographers using an iPhone or iPad. Photos should not be published previously anywhere. The posts on personal accounts (Facebook, Instagram etc.) are eligible.
ENDS 04/02/26
$10,000 project development grant for up to eight participants. Funds may be used in whatever way fellows see fit in order to expand and complete projects
ENDS 04/12/26
The winner will receive a grant of $14,000 for a solo exhibition
ENDS 04/16/26
Emerging Photographers (under 30 year old ) 2 X $ 5000 grants.
ENDS 04/16/26
The main grant is open to professional photographers worldwide, one $30,000. grant
ENDS 05/07/26
The 2026 Virginia Prize, worth €10,000, will be awarded to its winner in November 2026.
ENDS 05/17/26
MonoVisions Photography Awards are an international open call for photographers using black and white medium to express their visual language.
ENDS 05/31/26
This season will feature five main categories, with ‘Family’ serving as the primary theme.
ENDS 06/03/26
BUDAPEST INTERNATIONAL FOTO AWARDS is an international platform for photographers from all levels and genres to share their best images with the creative community in Hungary and Eastern Europe.
ENDS 06/15/26
Submit your best photographs now and get your chance to be one of the winners awarded in Siena!
ENDS 06/30/26
The IPA recognizes photography’s leading talents who are creating, shaping and defining the world of photography today.
ENDS 07/22/26
Submit your best work to our photo competition for a chance to win up to $11,500 in cash prizes, be selected by our curators for the PX3 exhibition in Paris and inclusion in the Annual PX3 book.