Sharjah: The Sharjah International Children’s Film Festival (SICFF) has announced the shortlist for this year’s filmmaking competition.
This year, 425 films from 59 countries were submitted for review by the judges, a significant increase from the 286 films from 50 countries that were submitted last year.
The SICFF awards cover eight categories and a total of 121 films from 33 countries are due to be screened.
The films are geared towards children aged up to 12 and youth aged 13 to 18. The shortlisted films will be screened indoors at JRCC and NOVO Cinemas and outdoors at Al Majaz Waterfront and Al Qasba from the October 23 to 28.
The SICFF is an initiative of FUNN, a Sharjah-based foundation that seeks to promote media arts and creative talent among youth in the UAE. FUNN is founded under the patronage of Shaikha Jawaher Bint Mohammad Al Qasimi, wife of His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah.
Shaikha Jawaher Bint Abdullah Al Qasimi, director of FUNN and SICFF, said: “I am truly stunned by the quality of young filmmakers around the world. This year, we have seen a remarkable increase in quality filmmaking and have noted a refinement in the themes covered by our young talents. The SICFF is still growing but in 2016, we have seen the highest participation rate for our festival, a total of 425 submissions, as compared to the 286 submissions we received last year.”
She added: “All films hold a heart-warming message about family dynamics, environmental concerns, social justice issues and so on. Although we see movies with similar themes in cinemas, these festival films are remarkable as they are told through the eyes of a child. We are given a unique opportunity to relive worldly experiences through a simpler, uncomplicated lens.”
A jury of respected individuals and filmmakers has been arranged to judge each film for its merits on sound morality, creativity, content, direction and core message. The judges — whose names will be unveiled soon — will also be looking out for films that have a local, regional or global message.
