Sharjah International Children’s Film Festival 2017 Commences Sunday

The fifth edition of Sharjah International Children’s Film Festival (SICFF 2017) commences  (Sunday). Featuring an unprecedented participation of 124 films from 31 countries, SICFF 2017 launches at the Al Jawaher Reception & Convention Centre (JRCC) in Sharjah, with activities continuing until October 13.

Organised annually by FUNN – Sharjah Media Arts for Youth and Children, the SICFF cinematic extravaganza commences with the screening of a Middle East premiere, ‘Albion: The Enchanted Stallion’ by American director Castille Landon.

The fifth edition of SICFF will host more than 40 training workshops covering an array of topics on cinema and the visual arts. Once the festival concludes at JRCC, the programme ( including the workshops and the screenings) will carry on in Kalba, Dibba Al Hisn and Khorfakkan from October 15-31, while the movie screenings only will continue in Al Dhaid, Al Madam, Al Hamyria and Al Bataeh from November 5-16.

SICFF 2017 will host 70 directors and filmmakers from around the world, in addition to visual arts experts from internationally renowned cinematic arts companies. This year’s edition of SICFF will see the screening of an impressive myriad of movies led by the United States with 45 films, followed by the UAE with 33 films and France with 29 films. All films will be shown at JRCC during the festival.

”We are on the threshold of the fifth edition of SICFF, with the festival growing in stature each year. We are honoured to follow the vision and directives of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council Ruler of Sharjah, and 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 (SCFA), who encourage festivals and initiatives aimed at instilling a love of art in younger generations and helping them to embrace wider horizons,” said Sheikha Jawaher bint Abdullah Al Qasimi, Director of FUNN and SICFF.

“The fifth edition of SICFF celebrates a comprehensive array of films, along with their directors and representatives, with a number of the films being screened for the first time in the Middle East. It is fitting that these premieres are being shown in Sharjah, which is a beacon of art in the region. The presence of some of the world’s best filmmakers at the festival is a testament to Sharjah and the UAE’s status as a haven for culture and the creative arts, particularly children’s cinema, which enjoys huge support here,” she added.

The festival includes seven film categories, namely: Best Short GCC Film; Student-made Films; International Short Films; Animation Films; Documentary Films; Feature Films; and Child-made Film. Sheikha Jawaher bint Abdullah Al Qasimi said that in keeping with the commitment of the festival to organise quality events through constant assessment and development, this year’s edition features a dedicated jury for each of the festival’s seven categories, summing up to 19 members of renowned artists, directors, producers, critics and other film specialists.

FUNN – Sharjah Media Arts for Youth and Children aims to nurture a future generation of creative artists in media and film, and promote new media works and films made by children and young filmmakers of the UAE at international film festivals and conferences worldwide. Its larger goal is to foster talent through these festivals, conferences and workshops locally and internationally and to form a close-knit network of talented young people who can share their experiences and expertise on a global scale.