Xposure 2025: Celebrating Diversity in Global Visual Storytelling

Xposure 2025, part of the International Photography Festival, showcased its second International Film Awards in Sharjah. With 834 global entries, the event celebrated cinematic diversity across four categories: Short Film, Animation, Cinematic Arts, and Documentary Feature, honoring excellence and creativity in filmmaking.

Sharjah [UAE], February 22 (ANI/WAM): Xposure 2025, part of the 9th International Photography Festival, has once again established the prominence of visual storytelling through its second edition of the Xposure International Film Awards. The event saw a notable increase in participation, garnering 834 submissions from global filmmakers, compared to its previous year.

The Sharjah festival drew filmmakers and audiences alike, celebrating the emotive power and perspective-challenging capabilities of film. With four distinct award categories—Short Film, Animation, Cinematic Arts, and Documentary Feature—the ceremony highlighted the diversity and innovation inherent in the filmmaking industry. Directed by Tariq Saeed Allay and Alya Al Suwaidi from the Sharjah Government Media Bureau, the event awarded outstanding talents and cinematic visions worldwide.

Highlighting exceptional talent, the Short Film award went to Iranian filmmaker Payam Mahmoudi Kurdistani, with Andrea Devicenzi from Italy as runner-up. The dynamic Animation category crowned Spain's Andres Aguilar as winner and Turkey's Mustafa Keskin as runner-up. The Cinematic Arts recognized Iranian Mehrshad Karkhani with Finnish filmmakers Markku Hakala and Mari Kaki in second place. For Documentary Feature, Belgium's Jurgen Buedts and Sahim Omar Kalifa triumphed, while Diogo Andrade of Portugal took runner-up.

The event also paid tribute to 10 distinguished individuals for their significant contributions to the film industry, including Academy Award winners and innovative creators. The luminaries honored were Brent Homann, Franklin Leonard, Glenn Gainor, Jerome Pink, Maitha Alawadi, Martin Desmone Roe, Pippa Erlich, Roger Horrocks, Siraj Jhaveri, and Travon Free. The festival, organized by the Sharjah Government Media Bureau, continues in Aljada, Sharjah until February 26th.

(With inputs from agencies.)