Curtain Rises off SIFF 2019 on 13th of Oct. With Dazzling Roster of 132 Films
Arab and international film stars and filmmakers to grace inauguration of the 7th edition of the Sharjah International Film Festival for Children and Youth
The seventh edition of the Sharjah International Film Festival for Children and Youth (SIFF) 2019, being organised by FUNN, the Sharjah-based organisation that promotes media arts learning among children and youth, will kick off Tomorrow (Sunday, October 13, 2019). It will run till October 18 with 132 films from 39 countries being screened at Al Jawaher Reception and Convention Centre, Sharjah.
This year’s edition of the festival will host a stellar group of Arab and international film stars and filmmakers, including Kuwaiti actor Abdul Rahman El Aqel; Syrian actor Bassel Khayat; Saudi actor Abdulmohsen Al Nemer; Emirati poet and director Nujoom Al Ghanem; Emirati actor and director Abdullah Al Junaibi; Emirati filmmaker Nahla Al Fahad, Egyptian filmmaker and film critic Yousry Nasrallah; Canadian director Julian Carrington; and Saudi actor Abdullah Ali who starred in the Spain-UK production ‘Born A King’, based on the life of King Faisal Al-Saud.
A celebration of Sharjah’s title
The theme of this this edition of SIFF is ‘Films Inspired by Books’ in celebration of Sharjah being named World Book Capital 2019 and to highlight the leading role of literature in nurturing cinema. A wide selection of quality films adapted from books have been included to highlight the intellectual and artistic bridge that exists between the two art forms.
Film screenings and prize categories
SIFF 2019 received 1,454 entries from 86 countries, a three-fold increase compared to the previous year, from which 132 being shown were chosen to be screened. Of these, 12 films will have their world premieres at SIFF, while 75 are being shown for the first time in the Middle East, and seven in the Gulf Region. The seven categories are: Best Student-made Film, Best GCC Short Film, Best International Short Film, Best Animation Film, Best Documentary Film and Best Feature Film and Best Child- and Youth-made Film.
A panel of young jurors were selected and trained to assess the entries under the newly added category ‘Best Child- and Youth-made Film’, with the aim to inspire and support the children and youth to discover their talents in filmmaking. A professional jury will evaluate the films in the rest of the categories. In order to encourage the audience to attend the festival, raffle prize draws have been added to the festival’s agenda. Prizes include a Mini Cooper car.
Workshops and events
The festival will host various panel discussions and workshops on films, photography and art, for all age groups, including specialised workshops for youth. Many other events and side activities have been planned as part of the festival.
Sheikha Jawaher bint Abdullah Al Qasimi, Director of FUNN and SIFF, said: “Every year the festival seeks to provide families, children and youth with an international platform to enrich their knowledge of the latest technologies in the arts and give them a ringside view of the fascinating world of filmmaking. She called on youth to participate in the festival and use this platform to express their creativity and values in a competitive and interactive environment.