Cinema Makes Historic Debut at Sharjah Narrator Forum with Curated Friendship-Themed Selection

The Sharjah International Narrator Forum introduces cinema screenings for the first time, featuring classic films celebrating friendship and storytelling across multiple generations.

The Sharjah International Narrator Forum has unveiled an innovative cultural addition this year with the introduction of a dedicated cinema hall, marking the first time cinema has been integrated into the programme of this prestigious gathering of narrative arts.

Running through 27 September and bringing together 120 narrators and researchers from 30 countries, the forum has curated a selection of classic films predominantly centred on themes of friendship and human connection. The cinema experience combines entertainment with a nostalgic revival of cinema’s most influential periods, complementing this year’s thematic focus on “Stories of Friends.”

Upon entry, visitors encounter a striking large screen presentation showcasing films spanning different eras of cinema history. The hall’s design evokes the atmospheric qualities of classic cinema venues, offering audiences—particularly younger generations—an opportunity to discover cinematographic styles and narratives from earlier periods. Alongside classic works, the programme features films specifically curated for children, ensuring accessibility across age groups.

Dr Abdulaziz Al Musallam, Chairman of the Sharjah Institute for Heritage and chairman of the forum’s Supreme Organising Committee, highlighted the deliberate alignment between the cinema initiative and this year’s thematic framework. “Friendship by its nature is made up of stories, memories and human experiences,” he noted, emphasising cinema’s distinctive capacity to transform such narratives into visual form that resonates with diverse audiences.

The cinema hall functions as more than a screening venue within the broader forum experience. It provides visitors with opportunities for reflection and relaxation whilst traversing the comprehensive range of heritage programmes, traditional narratives and cultural activities on offer. This integration of visual storytelling with oral narration and written word creates a multidimensional approach to heritage preservation and contemporary engagement.

The initiative significantly expands the forum’s appeal, particularly amongst younger visitors and family groups. Rather than positioning traditional heritage storytelling as obsolete, the cinema programme demonstrates how narrative arts can evolve through modern artistic mediums whilst maintaining their fundamental human values and cultural significance.

By introducing cinema as a storytelling medium alongside traditional oral and performative approaches, the Sharjah International Narrator Forum exemplifies how heritage institutions can adapt and innovate, ensuring cultural narratives remain vital and engaging for successive generations whilst preserving their essential meaning.

Source: WAM