Sharjah:The 13th edition of the Sharjah International Film Festival for Children and Youth (SIFF) was officially inaugurated by Sheikh Fahim bin Sultan bin Khalid Al Qasimi, Chairman of Sharjah's Department of Government Relations. The festival, organized by FANN - Media Discovery Platform, is held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi.
According to Wam, the opening ceremony, attended by numerous dignitaries and industry professionals, celebrated Italy as this year's Guest of Honour. The event, held at the University of the Arts in Sharjah, aimed to introduce young audiences to Italian cinema and foster creative exchanges between the UAE and Italy.
The festival, running until 1st November 2026, features 71 films from 38 countries in its official competition and eight out-of-competition screenings. Notably, Brunei, Burkina Faso, and Mauritania are participating for the first time. The festival's selection highlights the diversity and international reach with films from countries like Egypt, France, the Republic of Korea, Saudi Arabia, and India. Screenings are hosted at VOX Cinemas in City Centre Al Zahia and the House of Wisdom.
Huda Ahmed Al Harmoudi, Deputy Director of FANN, emphasized the festival's commitment to supporting and giving a voice to young people. Reflecting on the patronage of H.H. Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Al Harmoudi highlighted the festival's role in encouraging youth to explore media and cinema.
The opening ceremony honored significant figures in Arab and Gulf cinema and presented the Lifetime Achievement Awards to actors Habib Ghuloom, Mohammed Al Mansour, and Mona Wassef. Youth Awards were also given to actors Ahmed Al Mazem, Nasser Al Dosari, Ali El Beialy, and Retal Abdulaziz.
The festival introduced the jury members for its various film competitions, involving filmmakers, directors, academics, and media professionals from across the globe. Additionally, through the Promising Jurors Programme, young cinema enthusiasts are engaged in evaluating films, fostering a deeper understanding of film criticism and analysis.
This year's programme includes Green Carpet screenings of films from Thailand, Italy, Austria, and Germany, offering audiences diverse cinematic experiences.