Sharjah Celebrates Emerging Cinematic Talent as 13th Film Festival for Children and Youth Draws to a Close

The prestigious festival concluded its latest edition with over 50,000 visitors, honouring young filmmakers and emerging talents from around the world whilst reinforcing Sharjah's commitment to nurturing the next generation of storytellers.

The 13th Sharjah International Film Festival for Children and Youth drew its curtain on Sunday with a gathering that reflected not merely the conclusion of a programme, but rather a significant moment in the creative development of young voices in cinema. Held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Family and Community Council, the festival attracted more than 50,000 visitors, participants and students across its duration, testament to its growing resonance across the region.

The awards ceremony, held at the Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park, recognised filmmakers and emerging talent across multiple categories. Atlas of the Universe, directed by Paul Negoescu, took Best Feature Film honours, whilst My Grandfather Is a Nihonjin, directed by Celia Catunda, received the award for Best Animated Feature Film. The Great Dreamscape, directed by Rémi Durin, was recognised as Best Short Animated Film. In the short film categories, Oug, directed by Abdulrahman Al Madani, won Best Arabic Short Film, with Little Big Dreams, directed by Shweta Parakh and Rakesh E. Nair, taking Best International Short Film. The Path of Memory, Between The Land of Jasmine and Basil, directed by Areej Alghamdi, was honoured as Best Documentary Film.

Among work created by young filmmakers themselves, The Monster, directed by Sohee Lee, received Best Child and Youth Made Film, whilst Mabrouk Aleiko, directed by Mariam Janini, won Best Student Short Film. The collective endeavour Fellow, directed by Martha Rivière, Laura Darras, Théo Bergougnieux, Gaspard Keller de Schleitheim, Johanne Coppier and Romane Casha, won Best Student Short Animated Film. Gohan, a feature film on which Chayanop Boonprakob, Baz Poonpiriya and Aat Hemaweadee collaborated, also secured the festival’s first ever Audience Award, a category introduced this year to enable viewers to vote for their preferred work.

The 13th edition drew 71 films from 38 countries into its official competitions, alongside eight out of competition screenings, selected from 1,802 submissions received from 72 countries. Brunei, Burkina Faso and Mauritania participated for the first time, whilst Egypt, France, the Republic of Korea, Saudi Arabia and India were among those nations with the highest number of selected films. Italy was celebrated as Guest of Honour in recognition of its cinematic heritage and artistic contributions. The Green Carpet programme featured three films exploring themes of adventure, friendship, belonging and human relationships: Thailand’s Gohan, Italy’s Forever With You and the Austrian German animated work Monster Mia.

Beyond the screening itself, as we reported when Sharjah’s cultural institutions continued their commitment to contemporary cinema, this festival too extended its reach into education and professional development. The House of Wisdom hosted the second Global Children and Youth Film Congress, bringing together filmmakers, experts and industry professionals to discuss the future of children’s and youth cinema, the particular challenges facing film production in the Arab world and the evolving role of technology in nurturing emerging talent. The Junior Jurors Programme, which gives young people aged 12 to 20 the opportunity to learn film criticism and analysis, continued this year, with participants evaluating entries in the Child and Youth Made Films competition. The Festival Ambassadors Programme brought returning members to share their experiences and encourage further youth participation.

Huda Al Harmoodi, Deputy Director of FANN, Media Discovery Platform, which organises the festival, noted that the success of the 13th edition reflects its growing role in supporting young filmmakers and developing their skills whilst connecting them with industry professionals globally. She emphasised that the festival aimed to transcend film screenings by offering workshops, discussions and activities that encourage children and young people to learn, exchange ideas and tell their own stories. The creativity demonstrated by participants, she observed, highlighted the considerable potential of the next generation of filmmakers and reinforced the importance of continuing to invest in their talents.

What it means for Abu Dhabi

The 13th Sharjah International Film Festival for Children and Youth represents a significant achievement for the wider Emirate region in fostering creative expression and cinematic literacy among its youngest populations. By drawing more than 50,000 participants and attracting submissions from 72 countries, the festival positions the northern emirates at the forefront of developing the global storytellers of tomorrow, strengthening the cultural institutions and industries that make the region a beacon for artistic achievement.

For Abu Dhabi and its neighbouring emirates, the festival’s expansion and impact underscore a broader commitment across the UAE to invest in youth talent development and creative industries. Through initiatives such as the Junior Jurors Programme and the Global Children and Youth Film Congress, young people gain direct exposure to professional filmmaking, industry networking and critical thinking skills that will shape the region’s cultural output and creative economy for decades to come.

Source: WAM