A Celebration of Young Voices: Sharjah’s Film Festival Opens Its Doors to Global Cinema
The 13th Sharjah International Film Festival for Children and Youth has opened with Italy as its guest of honour, bringing together emerging filmmakers and young cinephiles from across the world to discover storytelling through fresh eyes.
The University of the Arts in Sharjah became a gathering place for cinema lovers of all ages as Sheikh Fahim bin Sultan bin Khalid Al Qasimi, Chairman of Sharjah’s Department of Government Relations, inaugurated the 13th edition of the Sharjah International Film Festival for Children and Youth on Sunday evening. Held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, wife of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, and Chairperson of the Sharjah Family and Community Council, the festival has grown into one of the region’s most anticipated cultural events for young audiences.
Organised by FANN – Media Discovery Platform, this year’s edition celebrates Italy’s rich cinematic heritage, inviting young audiences to explore Italian storytelling whilst fostering creative dialogue between the UAE and Europe. The opening ceremony drew industry luminaries, filmmakers and festival guests from the UAE and beyond, reflecting the festival’s expanding international reputation. Running until 1st November, the festival features 71 films from 38 countries competing for recognition, selected from 1,802 submissions received across 72 countries. Three nations, Brunei, Burkina Faso and Mauritania, participate for the first time, whilst Egypt, France, the Republic of Korea, Saudi Arabia and India represent the highest number of selected films, underscoring the diversity of cinematic voices now finding their way to Sharjah’s screens.
The festival’s commitment to nurturing young talent shone through in its awards ceremony. Lifetime Achievement Awards honoured Emirati actor Habib Ghuloom, Kuwaiti actor Mohammed Al Mansour and Syrian actress Mona Wassef, whilst Youth Awards recognised emerging talents including Emirati actor Ahmed Al Mazem, who reflected on his own journey with the festival. Having first attended as a 12-year-old in 2013, Al Mazem described the festival as his second home and called upon fellow Emirati artists to preserve cultural identity within their work. Egyptian actor Ali El Beialy, whose career began on a school stage, similarly emphasised the importance of encouraging young people to discover and develop their artistic gifts.
The opening ceremony featured the world premiere of Mangrove House, directed by Emirati filmmaker Khalid Al Mahmood, a charming narrative about young siblings using music to sell their catch. Screenings take place at VOX Cinemas in City Centre Al Zahia and the House of Wisdom, with three specially curated Green Carpet screenings exploring themes of adventure, friendship and belonging through films from Thailand, Italy, Austria and Germany.
At the heart of the festival lies a distinctive commitment to young people themselves. The Promising Jurors Programme, for cinema enthusiasts aged 12 to 20, offers interactive sessions on film criticism and analysis, allowing participants to evaluate entries in the Child and Youth-Made Films competition. Former Promising Jurors step into the Festival Ambassadors Programme, building on their experience and mentoring new participants, ensuring that each edition deepens the engagement of young minds with cinema as an art form and cultural bridge. As Huda Ahmed Al Harmoudi, Deputy Director of FANN, noted at the ceremony, the festival’s 13-year evolution reflects an unwavering belief that children and young people deserve a voice and a platform through which to express themselves.
What it means for Abu Dhabi
Sharjah’s film festival contributes significantly to the wider cultural ecosystem of the UAE, reinforcing the emirates’ position as a destination for arts, cinema and youth development. As we reported in our coverage of the festival’s announcement earlier this year, such initiatives reflect the leadership’s commitment to fostering creativity across generations. The emphasis on young people as both audiences and evaluators of film aligns with regional priorities around talent development and cultural exchange.
The festival’s international reach, drawing submissions from 72 countries and selections from 38 nations, demonstrates how cultural events originating in Sharjah strengthen the UAE’s cultural brand globally. By championing emerging filmmakers and creating spaces for cross-cultural dialogue, the festival supports the region’s broader cultural vision of innovation rooted in heritage, a theme that resonates across initiatives including Sharjah’s annual celebration of literature and the arts.
Source: WAM News Agency