The Dubai Culture and Arts Authority concluded the training program “Sikka Movements,” aimed at developing creators’ skills in short animation (stop motion) and refining their expertise in visual storytelling techniques, enriching their knowledge in this field.

Supported by the “Sikka Platform” and part of Dubai’s Quality of Life Strategy, the program reflects the Authority’s efforts to provide talented individuals with ample space for experimentation, learning, and producing unique personal works, encouraging them to support the strength of cultural and creative industries, and consolidating Dubai’s position as a global cultural hub, a cradle of creativity, and a meeting point for talents.

The closing ceremony held at Al Shindagha Museum was attended by Shaima Rashid Al Suwaidi, Executive Director of Arts, Design, and Literature Sector at Dubai Culture, Kholoud Khoury, Director of Projects and Events Department, and Khalil Abdulwahed, Director of Visual Arts Department, to honor the program participants: Afra Atiq Juma, Aisha Al Marashda, Fatima Al Muhairi, Hessa Turki Al Tamimi, Nada Assar, Nadia Zlizenova, Nawal Ahmed Hassan, Samara Al Hanawi, Shabir Younis, and Zahra Shafi.

Participants completed the intensive 6-week training program under the supervision of director and visual storyteller Bubaker Bukhari, gaining practical experience in all stages of animation production.

The program included a series of workshops that gave participants the opportunity to learn visual storytelling development and cinematic language, alongside basic animation techniques such as cutting, animation, shadow play, multimedia, and others, as well as methods for creating storyboards and animations, with practical applications in camera use, sound, and editing. Trainees also learned the basics of film distribution and festival participation strategies.

Kholoud Khoury noted that “Sikka Movements” is an innovative platform to discover creative talents and support the animation art sector with young energies that contribute to its advancement. She said, “The program embodies Dubai Culture’s commitment to creating conditions for the growth of emerging creative and artistic disciplines, encouraging creators to exchange ideas and experiences to develop their skills across various fields, alongside supporting future generations of animators and enabling them to develop their ideas and present their projects to the public, reinforcing Dubai’s position as a global creative economy hub.”

The program provided participants with comprehensive practical training in Arabic and English, targeting students, artists, designers, writers, and filmmakers from UAE nationals and residents passionate about visual storytelling.

Kholoud Khoury praised the program’s remarkable success and the innovative ideas reflecting participants’ capabilities to enrich the local art scene with creative productions, emphasizing the importance of the “Sikka” platform in opening new horizons for artistic expression and empowering pioneering and emerging artists to achieve their ambitions.