Independent and Freelance Photojournalist Award
The Independent and Freelance Photojournalist Award recognises excellence in independent visual reporting across three categories: Spot News, Environment, and Solutions. Each category winner receives a USD 5,000 cash prize, with three equal winners recognised annually.
Photojournalism demands strict ethical standards. Images must present an accurate and honest account of events, without manipulation, alteration, or distortion. Integrity and impartiality are fundamental.
Entrants may submit one 12-image essay per category that addresses urgent, underreported, or impactful global issues.
Through this award, Xposure supports independent photojournalists and amplifies visual storytelling that informs, challenges, and resonates worldwide.
ENTRY DEADLINE
1st October 2026 at 23:00 GST – Gulf Standard Time (Standard Time) is (UTC +4)
Xposure is an international platform for photography, filmmaking, and visual storytelling, held annually in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. It brings together leading photographers, filmmakers, and industry professionals to present their work, exchange ideas, and engage with global audiences.
The festival combines exhibitions, screenings, stage talks, workshops, and discussions, creating a space for education, inspiration, and professional exchange. It connects established voices, emerging talent, and the public through meaningful visual storytelling.
Its International Photography and Film Awards recognise excellence across genres, while initiatives such as the Independent and Freelance Photojournalist Award and the Global Focus Project highlight impactful independent work.
Committed to conservation, environmental, and humanitarian issues, Xposure uses visual storytelling to raise awareness and encourage dialogue.
Xposure continues to push the boundaries in shaping the future of visual storytelling and stands steadfast in supporting photojournalism.
LATEST ENTRIES
Willpower in the Gaza Strip In Gaza, war is no longer a moment; it is a season that has stretched endlessly, filling every corner of life with loss, noise, and...
On 29 October 2024, Spain suffered one of the worst floods in its history, with 228 fatalities. Villages in the province of Valencia woke up covered in mud and rubble....
2024 has marked another bloody year of the war in Ukraine, with the swiftest advances made by Russian forces encroaching on more territory in the country’s east since the start...
The war in Eastern Ukraine continues to escalate throughout the third year since Russia’s President Vladimir Putin ordered its full-scale invasion in February 2022 after years of diplomatic tensions. The...
Over the past two years, California has endured some of the most extreme and fast-moving wildfires in its history. This photo essay documents not just the intensity of the flames...