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This came in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, and Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority.
The event, the first of its kind in the region, is organised by the Sharjah Book Authority and takes place from May 1 to 4 at the Expo Centre Sharjah.
During the opening, His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah was briefed on this year’s conference agenda, which features a rich lineup of specialised events including 26 professional workshops, 21 interactive panel discussions, film screenings, and themed exhibitions.
The conference hosts 72 speakers from among the world’s top animation creators. His Highness also toured the conference halls and exhibitor booths, learning about the creative tools presented by participating entities from around the globe.
His Highness also viewed a short creative film produced by the Sharjah Book Authority. The film, presented in a visually rich and narratively innovative style, chronicled key milestones in the development of animation in the Arab world—from its early days in tents and marketplaces to modern productions that shaped generations, such as “Bakkar,” “Freej,” and “Shaabiat Al Cartoon.”
The film shed light on early Arab efforts in animation, prominent regional productions in the 20th century, and the role of dubbing in reintroducing global works through an Arab voice and identity. It also spotlighted the “Spacetoon” experience, which marked a transformative moment in Arab children’s media. The film concluded with an inspiring message affirming that Sharjah is paving the way for Arab content creators to produce visual works rooted in their culture and delivered to the world in the language of Arab creativity.
In her opening speech, Khoula Al Mujaini, Executive Director of the Conference, stated: “We inaugurate the Sharjah Animation Conference, a comprehensive initiative launched by the Sharjah Book Authority under the patronage of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, and under the supervision and guidance of the Chairperson of the Authority, to empower content creation in the Arab world through new tools and innovative approaches.”
Al Mujaini added that the conference embodies Sharjah’s vision of establishing a sustainable environment for content creation, through an integrated year-round ecosystem designed to discover, develop, and connect talents with production and publishing platforms. It serves as a bridge between publishing and production, writers and illustrators, imagination and execution, and between the generation writing today and the one that will dream twenty years from now.
She concluded by saying: “It’s time to tell our stories ourselves. The Arab world is brimming with exceptional talent that needs not creativity—but rather space, opportunity, and support. Today in Sharjah, we dream, plan, and work so that the world may one day watch world-class animated works with an Arab identity—rooted in our culture, speaking our language, touching the hearts of our children, and captivating global audiences.”
Fahad Al Hassawi, CEO of “du,” the official sponsor of the conference, said: “Our sponsorship of this conference stems from our deep belief in the importance of investing in culture and creativity as drivers of positive change and key enablers of the future economy. The Sharjah Animation Conference reflects our shared vision of empowering a new generation of creators, storytellers, and content makers who are shaping the digital landscape in our region.”
He added: “Creativity is one of the pillars of the digital transformation we aspire to in the UAE, in line with the vision of our wise leadership. Conferences and events like this offer emerging talent the opportunity to refine their skills and provide all the tools and space needed for creativity and meaningful contribution to a more connected and innovative future.”
This year, the conference celebrates the art of Japanese anime, which has influenced generations of animation lovers worldwide. It welcomes a distinguished lineup of Japanese creators, including Masayuki Miyaji and Tamiya Terashima, both of whom contributed to iconic Studio Ghibli productions such as Spirited Away and My Neighbour Totoro. The event also features Tom Bancroft, CEO of Pencilish Animation Studios, Tony Bancroft, known for his work on Disney’s Mulan and Aladdin, and Sandro Cleuzo, the character designer behind Anastasia, Tarzan, and Chip ’n Dale.
Now in its third edition, the Sharjah Animation Conference is advancing its status as an international platform for exploring the latest trends in animation. This year’s discussions include intersections between animation and artificial intelligence, visual storytelling, and adapting literary works into visual productions—affirming that animation today is a universal language where art, technology, and cultures converge.
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