“Sharjah Film Fest 12” celebrates creativity and human experience

This year’s edition promises a strong lineup of 76 films chosen from 1,740 submissions representing 26 countries, including Saudi Arabia, France, Iran, Indonesia, Bahrain, Russia, India, and the Netherlands, as well as São Tomé and Príncipe, Ecuador, and Belize, which are participating for the first time. Additionally, South Korea is participating as a Country of Honor, giving audiences the opportunity to explore Korean cinema’s highlights, from profound emotional stories to distinctive productions. The audience will also learn about the history and philosophy of Korean cinema and its ability to transcend language and cultural barriers. Cinema has become a major contributor to South Korea's creative economy, soft power, and tourism industry. South Korean productions are featured at various international film festivals, including the 2019 global hit Parasite, which won the Best International Feature Film award.

In the run-up to SIFF, FANN is launching the Global Children & Youth Film Congress. As an innovative regional platform, the event will highlight cinema’s role in shaping the consciousness of Arab youth, discuss Arab cinema’s opportunities and challenges, and explore ways to promote meaningful storytelling and support the next generation talent. The conference hosts select filmmakers, educational experts, and industry specialists to exchange ideas and insights. It will also feature a series of panel discussions and keynote speeches focusing on the contribution of film festivals in shaping the future of Arab cinema and establishing a film culture among children and youth. Furthermore, discussions will explore the impact and importance of children and youth in cinema, as well as the role of cinema in conveying the voices of Palestinian children to the world.

Sheikha Jawaher bint Abdullah Al Qasimi, General-Director of FANN and SIFF, highlighted how the festival has grown into an inspiring creative space that empowers filmmakers and highlights their key role in developing the local cultural and artistic scene, thanks to the guidance of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, and the support of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah and Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs. “We are nurturing emerging Arab talents, equipping them with creative and cultural skills to unleash their talents in the film industry,” she said.   "At FANN, we believe in the power of cinema as a universal language that unites people and an important medium for instilling noble values in children and youth, in addition to entertainment. SIFF embodies this vision, empowering creators to share their experiences and creative work with audiences. We remain committed to establishing a new generation of filmmakers, capable of expressing their ideas and addressing social issues."

Sheikha Jawaher also noted that Fann continues to build on the legacy of SIFF to further establish Sharjah as a hub for creativity and a destination of choice for creative talent, stating: “This year’s program combines distinguished international films with the Festival Conference’s panel sessions, empowering young talents to expand their opportunities and engage directly with the industry professionals.” Sheikha Jawaher also expressed her happiness about South Korea’s role as Guest of Honor, celebrating the distinctive qualities of its films as a powerful art medium capable of reaching the entire world.

This year, the Green Carpet will premiere 3 films in the Middle East. The first is Wip Vernooij and Vincent Bal’s Dutch film Miss Moxy. It tells the story of a pet cat spending her summer vacation in Southern Europe, but loses her way back home. Accompanied by a humorous dog and a wise old bird, the protagonist dives into the adventure of finding her way home while discovering true friendship. A South Korean film directed by Suryeon Jung will also be featured. The story describes a ten-year-old girl who experiences a 15-minute encounter with another young girl, isolated from the rest of the world. The two start to discover the significance of human warmth and its ability to break cultural and social barriers. The third Green Carpet highlight is Sarah Talab’s Saudi film Hajeer. Set in Jeddah during the 1960s, the film tells the story of a young musician whose life is turned upside down after suffering a childhood illness that causes hearing impairment. Over time, he discovers the power of hope and love.

The festival’s jury features 16 renowned directors and industry experts, including the Syrian actress Yara Sabri, who starred in various drama series, such as “Al Fusoul Al Arba’a”, “Al Teghribeh Al Filastinieh”, and “Tahkt Sharqi”. The jury also includes the Emirati media figure Mohamed Rashid Al Salami, expert in evaluating cinematic content and age classification; Kuwaiti director Dawood Sulaiman Al-Shuail, Head of the Youth Cinema and Television Department at the Youth Public Authority, who has directed a number of short films, including The Neighborhood Cop; the South Korean director Jae Hoon Ahn, expert in animation and best known for his work Green Days; and South Korean filmmaker and multimedia artist Ram Lee (Hyunjung Lee), whose work combines poetic and philosophical narrative. Joining them are Sang-Young Lee, a prominent film critic, who began his career by winning the second Criticism Award from Cine21 magazine in 1997, and Salah Al-Hadrami, an Omani filmmaker specializing in documentaries and features, who works as a photographer and montage technician, a member of the Omani Cinema Association, and a previous artistic director at several Omani film festivals.

The juries also include animation director Enas Yacoub, Secretary General of Animation Arts for Children's Media at the General Union for Arab Producers, along with Bahraini media figure and film critic Tariq Al-Bahar, Head of Variety and Culture at Al Bilad Press. They are joined by Dan Bennett, founder and director of the Los Angeles and San Diego International Children's Film Festivals, and filmmaker Mohannad Abu Rizk, who achieved over 500 billion views across different platforms. The jury also welcomes Award-winning Emirati director and producer Rawya Abdullah, whose most notable works include Amal’s Cloud; along with film and video game director Philip Hilsland, who co-directed “Best Month Ever” games cinematography; director, screenwriter, and TV presenter Maitha Al Awadhi, who has participated in over 20 short films; Iraqi writer, director, and film critic Erfan Rashid, host of Asharq Cinema; and Hakim Belabbas, a director, screenwriter, and producer known for his poetic and emotional productions, which blend documentary with fictional work.

On the sidelines, SIFF Pop-Up will be hosted in Sharjah Research Technology & Innovation Park. It features a series of activations and workshops aiming to hone the skills of young talents and promote their cinema production potential. Prominent workshops include Emirati Comics - Draw Your Story, presented by Tamakkan, training children and youth on comics drawing while using stories from the Emirati culture. Another workshop is the Photography and Documentation Tour, directed by Ahmed Al Raisi, inviting young participants to capture the event’s vibes and special moments. A selection of the photos will be displayed at the festival's closing ceremony. An expert from studio Waggish will also offer support and guidance in designing creative Arabic products. Additionally, VOX Cinemas will host a variety of engaging workshops designed for young students.