Sharjah: The first children’s film festival in the country and region, the Sharjah International Children’s Film Festival (SICFF), was officially opened yesterday (Monday) by His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah.
Shaikha Jawaher Bint Mohammad Al Qasimi, wife of the Ruler and Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs and Patron of (SICFF), was also present.
Supporting the integration of core values in the films produced, Shaikha Jawaher highlighted the importance of instilling positive ideas and messages of social responsibility in the films screened for children at the festival.
“Unlike adults, children have not yet lost their innocence or their unquenchable thirst for knowledge. Through this festival we can learn a lot from them; not only about children, but also about ourselves, because these films are a mirror that enables us to see our society, other societies and cultures from thought-provoking new angles,” added Shaikha Jawaher.
Describing the festival as a way for young people to get their voices heard, Dr Naif Al Mutawa, founder and CEO of Tashkeel Media Group, talked about his comic books and TV show ‘The 99’, the first group of superheroes who follow the path of prophets’ lives, displaying Islamic values. Al Mutawa also underlined the importance of encouraging young talent and supporting children’s interest in media art.
“We have a responsibility to keep cultivating their fertile imaginations so that they can harvest the benefits later in life,” he added.
The creator of Freej, the acclaimed Emirati cartoon series, Mohammad Saeed Hareb, also attended the opening ceremony and referred to the UAE as a place that helps young talent develop and shape their skills and future in media.
“Everything is possible here so don’t give up on your dreams,” he told the audience.
A girl who has yet not given up on her dream, Dubai Abulhoul, the youngest Emirati author, also said that with her first novel published at 13, she has continued working to make her ultimate dream come true.
“I wrote it at 11 as a script, and it was turned into a novel, and one day it will be turned back into a script when I make it a movie,” said Dubai.
The festival, which is the latest project launched by Sharjah Media Arts for Youth and Children (Funn), will run until November 4. The festival will be showing 78 films from 32 countries, spanning short movies, animations, silent movies, and feature films, across several venues. The films will target three different age categories which are for children under seven years old, children aged between eight and 13, and between 14 and 18.
