10th edition of festival to showcase 81 Films from 37 Countries.
In celebration of its 10th anniversary, The Sharjah International Film Festival for Children and Youth, organised by FANN, will take place from October 22 to 28, 2023, at Vox Cinemas in City Center Al Zahia, Sharjah. The lineup includes 81 films from 37 countries worldwide and will include a diverse array of films, including contributions from countries making their debut appearances at the event—Kingdom of Bhutan, and the republics of Montenegro, Malta, Togo, and Vietnam. It has already attracted over 1,710 participants from 90 countries worldwide, including first-time attendees, underscoring its global significance.
This year’s edition will also include the screening of three world premieres and the Middle East premiere of 43 films. Additionally, audiences will have the opportunity to interact with filmmakers and enjoy screenings of four outstanding films Nezouh, Little Nicholas, She is from Another Planet and Valley Road at the festival’s “Green Carpet” platform.
The festival agenda were revealed during a press conference held at Bee’ah Group’s headquarters in Sharjah attended by Sheikha Jawaher Bint Abdullah Al Qasimi, Director of FANN and SIFF; Director Mohammed Haji, and Ghada Abdelkader, Deputy Senior President of Crescent Enterprises.
The festival will not only feature exceptional films but will also host eight talks and open discussion, led by prominent Emirati and international artists and directors. These sessions will delve into various aspects of the film industry, specifically tailored for children and youth.
Prominent directors and film experts such as, Mohamed Haji, Ahmed Shawqi, Cho Sung-koo, and Ghadeer Al-Sabti will form the festival’s jury committee to evaluate the participating films across seven different categories, including Student Films, GCC short Films, International Short Films, Animation Films, Animated Feature Films and Feature Films.
The festival will also celebrate 17 festival ambassadors, who will serve as inspirational role models encouraging children to explore the world of cinema.
Sheikha Jawaher bint Abdullah Al Qassimi affirmed that the tenth edition of the festival would exceed audience
expectations, offering a selection of the world’s finest films and enriching initiatives to nurture children’s knowledge and talents. Further, she announced the launch of the Sharjah Film Days initiative, an exclusive celebration of the first decade of the Sharjah International Film Festival for Children and Youth. The week-long event will be held in 2024 with the aim to promote cultural exchange and embody the essence of Sharjah’s cultural project.
