Sharjah Film Festival Celebrates Growth, Introduces Palestine as Guest of Honor Country: ‘The Interest in Young Audiences in the Arab World Is Growing’

As a movie critic with over three decades of experience under my belt, I must say that the Sharjah Intl. Film Festival for Children and Youth is truly a gem in the world of cinema. Having attended numerous film festivals across the globe, I can confidently assert that this festival’s growth and impact are nothing short of remarkable.

The Sharjah International Film Festival for Children and Youth, now in its 11th edition, is rapidly growing. Held from October 6 to 12 at City Center Al Zahia in Sharjah, this year’s event will showcase an impressive collection of 98 stories told across 18 different languages. Notable premieres include “Amakor” by Kuwaiti director Ahmed Alkhudari, “The Trainers” by Andrea Joplin, “The Teacher” directed by Oscar-nominated filmmaker Farah Nabulsi, and the animated film “Diplodocus” by Wojciech Wawszczyk.

2021 saw a record-breaking 1,834 films submitted from 73 different countries. For the first time ever, a movie from Zimbabwe has been included in the lineup, and this year also marks the festival’s debut as the Guest of Honor in Palestine. The festival team emphasizes that the focus on these two nations provides viewers with a rare opportunity to delve into the rich and storied history of Palestinian filmmaking, which is renowned for its artistic depth and significant contributions to Arab cinema.

The festival director, Sheikha Jawaher Abdullah Al Qasimi from FANN, shared with EbMaster before the event that the growth of submissions over the years has been astounding, attracting more nations and filmmakers annually. Last year, marking the 10th anniversary of SIFF, was a source of great pride as it was the first festival in the country and region to focus on children and youth. This significant occasion allowed us to examine our journey and witness the expansion of the festival, not just in size but also in influence. Each year, we strive to enhance the experience for everyone involved.

When questioned about the impact of the festival and whether she thinks SIFF has motivated a new generation to produce films, not just any films but specifically those aimed at children and young viewers, Al Qasimi quickly responded positively. She emphasized that prior to the festival’s inception in 2013, there was no specialized platform within the country or region for such films.

At first, there were barely any Arab films in the program, if at all. However, as time passed, we’ve noticed a substantial rise in film submissions from Gulf and Arab filmmakers, many of which cater to younger viewers.

Al Qasimi explained that SIFF highlights and honors these particular stories, inspiring local filmmakers to delve into this genre and fostering the creation of meaningful, engaging content for younger audiences. Moreover, this has boosted attention towards the significance of such productions within the Arab film festival scene, leading to a more substantial emphasis on storytelling that resonates with youth.

The director of the SIFF has pointed out that in the early stages of the festival, it was difficult to find movies suitable for a young audience. However, he adds that this issue is becoming less prevalent as the interest in catering to young audiences in the Arab world is increasing. Although there’s still work to be done, he notes an uptick in filmmakers who are focusing on children and youth. At SIFF, we aim to capitalize on this trend by enhancing our knowledge and providing as much support as possible for these films. Our ultimate goal is to nurture this growth and establish a vibrant environment for storytelling that appeals to young people in the region.

18 distinguished filmmakers and industry professionals, such as Shajoun Al-Hajri, Muhammad Al-Aubthani, Sebastian Reichhold, Hanna Atallah, Razan Taqsh, Soudad Kaadan, Jitendra Misher, Susan Johnston, and Ahmed Zein, make up this year’s festival jury. They will assess films in various categories: “Student Films,” “International Short Films,” “Arabic Short Films,” “Animated Short Films,” “Feature Animated Films,” “Feature Films,” “Films Made by Children and Young People,” and “Documentary Films.

Moreover, noteworthy attendees from the UAE, the surrounding region, and further afield will be invited to the festival. This includes directors like Omar Al-Mulla from the Emirates, Omar Al-Rimal from Palestine, actors such as Jaber Naghmoush from the UAE, Yousra from Egypt, and Souad Al-Abdullah from Kuwait.

Looking ahead, Al Qasimi aims to broaden the festival’s viewership and global influence. The ultimate goal is to strengthen SIFF’s status as a dynamic platform showcasing groundbreaking narratives and fostering cultural interaction within the realm of youth and children’s films.

2024-09-28 21:46

Sharjah Film Festival Celebrates Growth, Introduces Palestine as Guest of Honor Country: ‘The Interest in Young Audiences in the Arab World Is Growing’

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