Abu Dhabi:The Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD) has announced the return of the Al Sidr Environmental Film Festival, now in its fifth edition, set to take place from October 9th to 11th at New York University Abu Dhabi's Blue Hall.
According to Emirates News Agency, this year's festival is themed 'Mend', which is inspired by the Arabic verb related to carefully restoring something of value. This theme highlights activities such as habitat rehabilitation, species recovery, water stewardship, land restoration, and the transfer of ecological knowledge across generations.
The festival will feature the Gulf premiere of Werner Herzog's "Ghost Elephants," a documentary produced by National Geographic Documentary Films that was first screened at the Venice International Film Festival. The international lineup also includes "Fungi Web of Life," narrated by Bj¶rk, a restored version of "Manthan," and films that premiered at the 2026 Berlin and Sundance film festivals.
Locally, the UAE programme will showcase the premiere of "Conservation Diaries," a five-part documentary series by Connect with Nature, which EAD founded alongside Emirates Nature-WWF. This series documents conservation efforts across the UAE's diverse landscapes and communities. Additionally, Emirates Nature-WWF will provide speakers for the festival.
Hosted in collaboration with NYUAD, the festival will be accessible to the public, featuring a range of documentaries, fiction, animation, and short films, along with panel discussions, exhibitions, and environmental activities.
Ahmed Baharoon, EAD's Executive Director of the Environmental Information, Science and Outreach Management Sector, emphasized the need for knowledge and societal cooperation in environmental restoration. Nezar Andary, the festival's Artistic Director, stated that this year's theme guided the selection towards films that focus on restoration efforts.
The festival will also include a masterclass by filmmaker Sara Dosa, featuring screenings of her films "Fire of Love" and "Time and Water." Other highlights include "Chuuraa" by Evgenia Arbugaeva and family-oriented activities that address environmental themes.
Since its inception in 2020, Al Sidr has attracted over 5,000 attendees and engaged more than 2,000 students from over 20 schools in Abu Dhabi.