National Media Authority and FANN Join Forces to Nurture Young Filmmakers at Sharjah’s Festival
A strategic partnership between the NMA and FANN amplifies support for emerging talent, offering training, institutional coordination and expanded opportunities for young creatives at the 13th Sharjah International Film Festival for Children and Youth.
On the opening day of the 13th Sharjah International Film Festival for Children and Youth, a significant collaboration took shape. The National Media Authority and FANN, the media discovery platform, signed a Memorandum of Understanding designed to strengthen institutional support for young filmmakers and the creative industries of the Emirates.
The agreement was formalised at the Rubu’ Qarn platform in City Centre Al Zahia, in the presence of Sheikha Jawaher bint Abdullah Al Qasimi, General Director of Rubu’ Qarn Foundation for Creating Leaders and Innovators and Director of SIFF, and Mohammed Saeed Al Shehhi, Secretary-General of the National Media Authority. The partnership positions the NMA as the Official Supporting Partner of the festival’s current edition, running from 25th October to 1st November 2026.
Sheikha Jawaher emphasised the depth of this commitment, reflecting on how supporting young creatives extends beyond offering a platform for their work. The partnership represents a deliberate effort to build infrastructure that encourages innovation, provides meaningful learning opportunities and helps emerging filmmakers develop their technical and creative capabilities. Through closer coordination between the organisations, participating films will reach wider audiences, whilst festival participants benefit from an enhanced experience underpinned by institutional support.
The agreement encompasses several dimensions of practical cooperation. The National Media Authority will assist with film screening procedures and facilitate the necessary permits for screening participating films in coordination with embassies, consulates and relevant government authorities, all in line with UAE regulations. Training workshops will equip festival teams with knowledge of the Authority’s electronic services, whilst technical support will streamline administrative procedures. Representatives of the Authority may also serve on festival juries and contribute to film evaluations according to established judging criteria.
Mohammed Saeed Al Shehhi outlined the broader strategic context, noting that support for high-quality content created for children and youth represents a cornerstone of the Authority’s vision for developing a competitive, sustainable national media sector. The partnership reflects a commitment to working across the UAE’s film and content industries to give younger generations opportunities to learn, experiment and create. The festival itself, which opened with Italy as guest of honour, continues to provide a vital platform where young filmmakers discover cinema, explore different cultures and share their stories.
Both parties will collaborate on the festival’s media and communications strategy, working to increase its visibility and promote its screenings and activities to audiences and film industry professionals across the Emirates. This institutional coordination reflects a shared understanding that emerging talent requires not only a venue for their work but sustained support through training, mentorship and expanded networks within the creative sector.
What it means for Abu Dhabi
This partnership signals the UAE’s deepening investment in its creative industries as a strategic economic and cultural priority. By strengthening institutional support for young filmmakers and content creators, the agreement reinforces the Emirates’ commitment to developing homegrown talent and positioning the nation as a hub for media innovation and cultural expression.
The initiative also demonstrates how federal institutions can work collaboratively with platforms like FANN to amplify opportunities for young people across the Emirates. Through training, mentorship and improved access to industry networks, emerging creators gain the foundation they need to contribute meaningfully to the UAE’s cultural and creative landscape, ultimately enriching the nation’s storytelling traditions and global cultural standing.
Source: WAM