The 12th edition of the Sharjah International Film Festival for Children and Youth, organized by Fan Foundation – Media Discovery Platform, was adorned with the creativity of “the seventh art” and rich discussions.

The festival featured a series of screenings, films, and discussions reflecting the richness and continuous development of the Arab cinematic scene. The festival’s “Green Carpet” hosted the screening of the Saudi film “Hajir” by director Sarah Taleb, set in Jeddah during the 1960s. The story revolves around a young musician whose life is turned upside down after losing his hearing in childhood, discovering over time the power of hope and love.

As part of its efforts to support filmmakers, the festival, which concluded yesterday, held the first session of “Film Project Presentations” aiming to open collaboration horizons and connect promising talents with producers and funding bodies.

Promising Experiences

During the festival, the session “Young Filmmakers: Stories of Passion and Early Beginnings,” moderated by Rami Zanati, showcased experiences of several young directors, including Angelo Visser who said, “The most important element in filmmaking is the ability to show human vulnerability, as it makes the story and scenes pulse with authenticity. In my film, I wanted to capture the feelings of a teenager transitioning from high school to university, with all accompanying emotions.” Mujtaba Al-Hajji emphasized that “passion and desire are the most important qualities a filmmaker can have. I advise new talents to be honest with themselves and preserve authenticity, which is the source of true creativity and imagination.”

“Contemporary Legends”

The festival also organized a series of panel discussions at Fox Cinema in City Centre Al Zahia, including “Contemporary Legends: Reimagining Arab Folklore and History Through Cinema,” moderated by media personality Ibrahim Estadi, which saw notable interaction from Emirati filmmakers.

Emirati director Najm Al Ghanem said during the session that many filmmakers tend to address historical stories in their films because they are often safer expressively and carry cultural depth and a sense of identity.

She added, “I believe we have reached a stage where Arab cinema has the capacity to evolve beyond the familiar, presenting historical stories in a contemporary and visually appealing style.” She explained that the film “The Message” represented a pivotal moment in Arab cinema history, where artistic value met cultural pride and production quality. Emirati artist Ahmed Al Jasmi noted that comparison with large global productions is one of the main challenges facing historical films aimed at young audiences today, adding: “We are not only competing for their attention but also for their imagination. Today’s audience is smart and knowledgeable, with access to the best content worldwide, and expects Arab cinema to deliver the same level of quality, narrative, and production.”

Meanwhile, Emirati poet Khaled Al Badour pointed out that Arab cinema still faces many production constraints, from funding and resources to limited modern technologies and distribution networks. He said, “All these represent challenges that naturally affect the types of stories told, and it is often easier to turn to historical narratives.”

The Future Belongs to the Adventurous

During “Contemporary Legends” at the 12th Sharjah International Film Festival for Children and Youth, Emirati artist Ahmed Al Jasmi said, “There is a growing desire among Emirati youth to see more local stories on the big screen and follow works that express their identity, culture, and daily life in an authentic and relatable way,” stressing that the future of Arab and Emirati cinema depends on adventurous storytellers who dare to break patterns, experiment with cinematic genres, and reimagine how our stories are told.

Ahmed Al Jasmi:

• Today’s audience is smart and knowledgeable, able to access the best content globally, and expects Arab cinema to deliver the same level.

Najm Al Ghanem:

• We have reached a stage where Arab cinema can evolve beyond the familiar to present historical stories in an attractive style.