Prizes
Each of the three categories — Spot News, Environment, and Solutions — will have one Category Winner.
Each Category Winner receives a USD 5,000 cash prize, exhibition at Xposure, and finalist recognition.
Each category also awards one Category Runner Up with an official certificate and online presentation of the awarded essay.
Eligibility
The IFPA is open to individuals aged 18 or older, regardless of nationality.
Participants must hold a valid National or International press card issued by a recognised association, or provide evidence of published journalistic work and a supporting reference from a recognised media bureau.
Freelance photojournalists not in full-time employment by a media outlet are eligible.
Entries must be submitted online within the specified entry period.
Entry Requirements
Each entry must be submitted through the IFPA awards platform by a registered user.
Entrants confirm they have the authority to submit the photographs and that their work does not infringe third-party rights.
All photographs must be original and taken within the past 24 months.
Each submission must be a 12-image photo essay assigned to one category.
Essays submitted previously in the same form may not be resubmitted.
Entries using artificial intelligence (AI) generated images are not permitted and will be disqualified.
Image and Content Standards
Photographs must be the entrant’s original work.
Entries should not include manipulated content that changes the fundamental reality of the scene; standard adjustments to exposure, colour, contrast, and brightness are permitted.
Images containing watermarks, names, or elements not part of the original shot will be disqualified.
Photos of artworks (sculpture, painting, etc.) are allowed only if they do not infringe copyright and are shown in context.
Judging and Selection
A panel of industry expert judges evaluates all essays.
Entries are judged on criteria including news value, impact, consistency, relevance, and visual storytelling.
Judges select one Category Winner and one Category Runner Up per category.
Exhibition and Recognition
Category Winning essays are exhibited at the annual Xposure festival.
Category Runner Up essays receive official certificates and a dedicated online presentation.
Recognition is strictly category specific — there is no aggregated ranking across categories.
Cross-Programme Participation
Entrants may also enter the Xposure International Photography & Film Awards or the Global Focus Project. However, a participant cannot hold a cash placing in more than one Xposure programme in the same festival year. IFPA results take precedence over other Xposure awards. If a conflict occurs, the higher precedence result will stand.
Rights, Licences, & Publication
Entrants retain full copyright of their work.
By entering, winners and nominated entrants grant Xposure non-exclusive rights to use high-resolution images to promote the festival and the IFPA in all media.
Awarded and nominated photos may be published on the Xposure website, festival publications, and archives.
Limitation of Liability
By participating, entrants agree to release Xposure, Sharjah Government Media Bureau, and their partners from any liability related to the contest or use of submitted material.
General Conditions
IFPA reserves the right to cancel or modify the contest if necessary due to unforeseen circumstances.
Decisions of the judges are final and binding in all matters.
Category Winners who are unable to attend the awards ceremony will have their USD 5,000 cash prize transferred to them. Trophies must be collected in person and will not be shipped.
Travel, accommodation, or hospitality support provided by the festival, where applicable, is not part of the prize money. No cash equivalent or additional payment will be granted in lieu of attendance or unclaimed benefits.