Sharjah International Film Festival (SIFF) and FANN were born out of a belief that young people need spaces where they can discover their creativity, grow their confidence, and share their voices with the world, says Sheikha Jawaher bint Abdullah Al Qasimi, Director of SIFF and FANN.
In an interview with The Gulf Pulse ahead of SIFF that starts from October 6 to 12, Sheikha Jawaher said that with the strong support and vision of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah and Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs, Sharjah has invested heavily in cultural infrastructure, positioning itself as a hub for the global creative economy.
“Through SIFF, Sharjah has built a platform that brings filmmakers and audiences from across the world together while giving children and youth the chance to learn, be inspired, and connect with international peers,” she says. FANN is an organisation established by Sharjah government to nurture talent through workshops, mentorship, and training, ensuring that creativity can flourish sustainably.
“This combination of an annual festival that opens Sharjah to the world and an organisation that invests in talent throughout the year means we are not just hosting cultural events, but actively contributing to the global creative economy. It is about building people, skills, and ideas that last,” Sheikha Jawaher adds.
She believes cinema is the most powerful way for young people to navigate identity in a fast-changing world. “The youth of today are fearless storytellers,” she says. “They live in a world where cultural boundaries are porous, and they understand that their stories, whether deeply personal or rooted in heritage, carry universal resonance. Cinema gives them a medium to navigate questions of identity: who they are, where they come from, and how they relate to the wider world,” she says.
“At SIFF, Emirati children and youth have made films on issues such as environmental change, family, and digital culture, and these stories have travelled far beyond the UAE. This shows us that cinema is not only about entertainment, it is a language of empathy and connection. Young filmmakers are realising that through cinema, they can speak with the world and be heard, not as a footnote, but as equal voices in a global dialogue,” adds Sheikha Jawaher.
Culture stabilizes UAE society
For Sheikha Jawaher, culture is a stabiliser in the UAE’s dynamic society. “Film and art create opportunities for people from different backgrounds to sit together, experience the same story, and leave with a shared emotional journey,” she said. “In Sharjah, our programmes are designed with inclusivity in mind, reaching children, families, educators, and communities at large. This collective participation strengthens cohesion, as people come together, celebrate differences, and find common values,” she adds.
She recalls one SIFF screening of a documentary about children living in conflict zones where the young audience was visibly moved. “Afterwards, they engaged in a discussion about empathy, resilience, and what it means to use film to shed light on human struggles. Many said it was the first time they had realised the power of storytelling to inspire change,” she says.
In FANN’s workshops, Sheikha Jawaher says she has also seen hesitant participants transform into confident storytellers after making their first short films. “Parents often tell us these experiences shifted their children’s outlook, instilling confidence, curiosity, and responsibility. These are not just film projects; they are life-changing experiences that ripple through families and communities,” she adds.
Looking ahead to SIFF 2025, Sheikha Jawaher highlights South Korea’s role as Guest of Honour. “South Korea has become a cultural phenomenon, with its cinema, television, music, and art reaching audiences worldwide. At SIFF, we want to explore the richness of its cinema beyond the global blockbusters, by focusing on films that reflect universal themes of family, friendship, and resilience.”
The festival will host screenings, workshops, and conversations with Korean filmmakers. “This year is about building bridges between young filmmakers in the UAE and Korea, between cultures that may seem distant but share the same human dreams, and between the past, present, and future of global cinema,” adds Sheikha Jawaher.
