Eighth edition of Sharjah Film Platform kicks off with 27 films

November 14, 2025 / 10:17 PM

Sharjah 24: Alya Al Ameri, a film programmer at the Sharjah Art Foundation, announced the launch of the eighth edition of the Sharjah Film Platform on Friday at Mirage City Cinema. The festival runs from November 14 to 23.

Celebrating independent and experimental cinema

Al Ameri explained that the Sharjah Film Platform celebrates independent and experimental cinema through its film competition this year, which features 27 films spanning a wide geographical area, offering a global perspective on storytelling.

Opening film and director in focus

In a statement to Sharjah 24, Al Ameri added that the festival opens with the screening of “Baab,” the latest film by director Nayla Al Khaja, while this year's Director in Focus programme highlights the cinematic legacy of the late filmmaker Jocelyne Saab.

New “first screenings” programme

She added that this edition also sees the launch of a new programme called “First Screenings”, which allows university students and recent graduates residing in the UAE to showcase their experimental short films. Al Ameri explained that the Sharjah Film Platform is held at Mirage City Cinema, in addition to VOX Cinemas at City Centre Al Zahia.