Emirates News Agency – Sharjah Film Festival for Children and Youth launched

Sharjah, 23rd October / WAM / The activities of the tenth edition of “Sharjah International Film Festival for Children and Youth 2023” were held at Sharjah Academy for Performing Arts by Sheikh Dr. It was started under the patronage of Sultan Bin Muhammad’s wife. Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah Her Highness Sheikha Jawahar Bint Muhammad Al Qasimi. In the presence of Sheikh Fahim Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs, Head of Government Relations Sharjah, Sheikh Salem Bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Director of Sharjah Trade and Tourism Development Authority, Sheikh Jawahar Bint Abdullah Al Qasimi, Director of Fan Foundation, Director of the Festival and Film Artists, UAE is an elite group of directors and workers. Emirates and the world.

During the opening ceremony, Sheikha Jawahar bint Abdullah Al Qasimi announced the collaboration of the Sharjah International Film Festival for Children and Youth with the Big Heart Foundation to support the children of Palestine, as all proceeds will be allocated to the recently launched relief campaign. This foundation aims to provide relief to the Palestinian brothers affected by the war in the Gaza Strip, while at the same time calling for the need to protect the innocence of children and give them their rights and the good days they deserve.

Ten years after its inception, the festival has managed to inspire future generations, be a global platform capable of promoting aesthetic and creative values ​​and contribute to empowerment of our children and youth, he asserted. Emerging talent in our country.

Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah His Highness Sheikh Dr. He said the event was turned around by the vision of Sultan Bin Muhammad Al Qasimi and the support of his wife, Sheikha Jawahar Bint Muhammad Al Qasimi. A unique model in the local and Arab cultural scene celebrating children’s, adolescent and youth cinema, the festival and its films reflect the potential of creating positive change.

Sheikha Jawahar bint Abdullah Al Qasimi added, “We are celebrating the entry into the tenth year of the Sharjah International Film Festival for Children and Youth, with more than 80 stories spoken in different languages ​​and dialects in its new session. Learn about stories that represent cultural bridges through which we travel to other societies, learn about different perspectives, and discover truths.

For his part, Emirati artist Ahmed Al Jazmi expressed his happiness to be selected as the guest of honor for the event, receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award at the local level and the Special Speakers Award at the event.

He said, “Indicating the importance of cinema and its shaping role in Arab and international cultural and artistic circles, the festival is moving at a promising pace and has taken a prominent place among international film festivals. He pointed out that the cultural scene, the seventh art, was at the forefront of cultural reality in many societies and acted as its best ambassador. In our memories.”

He added, “Sharjah is a renowned and large repository for ambitious cinematic projects and this age group should benefit from the support, care and attention it provides in producing solid cinematic works that compete with the world. The film is “Gorbakken.”

For his part, Egyptian artist Hussein Fahmy expressed his heartfelt gratitude to His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, and the festival management for bestowing him with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Arab level. , pointed out the importance of this honor and its moral value: “This evaluation is of high value, especially since he came to me from the Emirates of Sharjah, which is close to my heart.”

For his part, Egyptian artist Jean Ramez, hero of the movie “The Boogeyman”, thanked him for hosting him and giving him the special speakers award at the ceremony.

He said: “This is the first time I have been honored at a film festival and it will remain in my memory for the rest of my life. He has many goals to achieve and he has many meaningful messages. He wants to present it through his future works.

In turn, Tariq Al-Rimawi, the director of the film “The Zoo”, who opened the activities of the festival, confirmed that his film was inspired by the story of the zoo in the Gaza Strip, which is classified as the worst zoo in the world. Due to the 2014 war.

The opening ceremony was attended by many artists and stars from the Emirates, the Gulf and the Arab region, including Egyptian artist Hussein Fahmy, Egyptian artist Laila Elvi, Egyptian screenwriter Medat Al-Adl, Syrian Samar Al-Masri, Kuwaiti Tariq Al-Ali, Emirati Ahmad Al -Jasmi, Dr. Habib Guloom, Egyptian Jean Ramez, director Nahla Al-Fahd, and broadcaster Bossy. Shalabi and others, many directors, filmmakers and workers locally and internationally. Film industry.

The ceremony featured the introduction of the jury members of the festival, which consisted of 11 elite directors and film experts from Arab and foreign countries. These include Mohammad Haji, Ahmed Shawqi, Cho Sung Ko, Mohammad Kiblawi and Qadeer Al. -Sabti, who is in charge of evaluating the films participating in the various categories of the festival: “Films.” “Student Produced” Category, “Short Gulf Films” Category, “Short Narrative Films” Category, “Animated Films” Category, “Featured Animated Films” Category and “Special Narrative Films” Category, “Films Made by Children and Youth” Category He participates in judging.” 20 promising judges and youngsters, including a group of children, are participating in the ceremony for the first time.

The tenth edition of the festival, which will continue until October 28 at the Vox Cinema in City Center Al Jahia, will screen 81 films from 37 countries around the world, including cinema screenings from participating countries for the first time, namely: the Kingdom of Bhutan, Montenegro, Malta, Togo and the Republics of Vietnam.

In addition to 43 Middle East premieres, the festival also witnessed the screening of three world premieres. It also offers a “green carpet” floor showing 4 movies: “Exodus,” “Little Nicholas,” and “She From Planet.” Another” and “Valley Road”.

The festival management allows us to meet the directors and film crews who worked on the production of these works and talk about their experiences in the world of cinema in general and their experiences in the films shown in particular. In 8 dialogue sessions featuring artistes, directors and experts in the film industry, they discuss a range of topics, one of which is issues related to the film industry targeting children and youth.