COM
Competition
Independent & Freelance Photojournalist Award (IFPA) 2026
Xposure Festival · Sharjah
✓ Hand-verified by Arthead editorial · Aug 30, 2026
Closes in
28
days
About this call
The Independent and Freelance Photojournalist Award (IFPA), presented by Xposure Festival, is dedicated to recognizing independent visual reporting. Independent and freelance photojournalists often work without institutional backing, yet their images reveal crises, conflict, culture, resilience, and solutions that might otherwise remain unseen. The award honours those committed to truthful, impactful storytelling. Three categories: Spot News (urgent events of public consequence), Environment (stories of the natural world and human impact), and Solutions (reporting that explores how communities respond to challenges).
Who can apply
- International applicants
- Medium: Photography
- Free entry
- Each submission must consist of a 12-image essay presenting strong, cohesive narratives. Applicants must hold internationally recognised press accreditation. A scan of press pass is required during registration. Optional: recent letter of reference. Three categories to choose from: Spot News, Environment, Solutions.
Materials
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