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

Supported by the “Sikka Platform” and within Dubai’s Quality of Life Strategy, the program is part of the Authority’s efforts to provide talented individuals with ample space for experimentation and learning, producing distinctive 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 place for talents.

The closing ceremony held at the Al Shindagha Museum was attended by Shaima Rashid Al Suwaidi, Executive Director of Arts, Design and Literature Sector at Dubai Culture, and Khalil Abdulwahed, Director of Visual Arts at Dubai Culture. They honored the 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, who completed the intensive six-week training 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 allowed participants to learn methods of developing visual storytelling and crafting it in cinematic language, alongside learning basic animation techniques such as cutting, animation, shadow play, multimedia, and others, as well as methods of 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, Director of Projects and Events at Dubai Culture, said the “Sikka Movements” program represents an innovative platform to discover creative talents and support the animation art sector with young energies that contribute to its advancement. She added, “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, which contributes to developing their skills in 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 center for the creative economy.”

Kholoud Khoury praised the program’s remarkable success and the innovative ideas presented that reflect the participants’ capabilities and their ability to enrich the local art scene with creative productions, emphasizing the importance of the “Sikka” platform and its role in opening new horizons for artistic expression and enabling pioneering and emerging creators to achieve their ambitions.

The “Sikka Movements” program provided participants with comprehensive practical training in Arabic and English, targeting students, artists, designers, writers, and filmmakers among citizens and residents passionate about visual storytelling.

Kholoud Khoury: The program witnessed innovative ideas reflecting the participants’ capabilities and their ability to enrich the local art scene with creative productions.