Hosted by the Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB), the Xposure International Festival takes place from 20–26 February 2025 in Aljada, Sharjah. The global event brings together world-class photographers, filmmakers, content creators, and industry leaders for an immersive 7-day celebration of visual arts and narrative excellence.
At Xposure 2025, ‘Stage X’ will continue to push the boundaries of creativity and influence, offering an unmatched experience for attendees eager to expand their visual literacy, enhance their storytelling prowess, and discover the narratives behind visual masterpieces that shape the world.
Exploring culture and art
Greg Gorman, one of the most respected names in portrait photography of Hollywood celebrities, will discuss his work with artist Gary Johns in the session “Homage: A Tribute to Tribal Artists”, exploring the fusion of African tribal art with contemporary photographic interpretations.
The session, “Ephemeral Dreams: A Journey Through Storytelling,” will discuss the interplay between solitude, nature, and human emotion, using striking monochrome and colour photography to convey deeply personal narratives.
Environmental advocacy
Led by Andrea Belluso, an acclaimed fashion and portrait photographer known for his mastery of lighting and collaboration with top luxury brands, his talk, “Arts for Future, Nurturing the Planet through Arts” will discuss his advocacy for sustainability, and how he merges art and environmental awareness in his work.
In his talk, “Mushroom Magic,” Agorastos Papatsanis, an award-winning nature photographer renowned for his intricate and mesmerising macro photography, will provide a fascinating dive into the world of fungi, unveiling the role of mushrooms in the natural world.
Danish photographer Søren Solkær will deliver an awe-inspiring discussion on capturing the spectacle of starling murmurations in his talk “The Black Sun Project”. Famed for his ability to blend movement and nature into captivating compositions and for partnering with artists like Bjork and U2, he has exhibited globally.
Adventure photographer Franck Gazzola will share his incredible journey of transitioning from corporate life to documenting the mysteries of the world’s oceans in the talk, “An Odyssey of Change – 10 Years of Oceanic Exploration”. Gazzola has worked with National Geographic and major environmental organisations to highlight marine conservation efforts.
Images that cause social impact
In a deeply moving session titled, “Framing Hunger”, Lys Arango will shed light on the realities of food insecurity across different cultures and offer a stark visual narrative of human resilience. Arango is an award-winning photojournalist who has worked with humanitarian organisations worldwide, using photography to advocate for social change.
In “Bakashimika: Visual Storytelling in Southern Africa”, Patrick Chilaisha, Geoffrey Phiri, and Edith Chiliboy will look at how Zambian and Southern African photographers are shaping contemporary African narratives through powerful imagery.
Exploring technology and innovation
Martin Schoeller, an internationally acclaimed portrait photographer whose hyper-detailed close-up portraits have defined modern photography, will provide an inspiring retrospective titled “Redefining Portraiture Over Three Decades”, offering behind-the-scenes insights into the evolving world of visual storytelling. Schoeller’s work has graced the pages of National Geographic, TIME, and The New Yorker.
From discussions on ethical photojournalism and the future of AI in photography to hands-on sessions exploring creative approaches to environmental storytelling, Stage X is set to be the epicentre of dialogue on the evolving landscape of visual media. For more information visit:
https://xposure.net/. 
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