The Director of SIFF on how film gives young people a voice and turns audiences into storytellers.
The journey of the Sharjah International Film Festival for Children & Youth (SIFF) and FANN would not have been possible without the support 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. Her vision for culture as a cornerstone of development, and her commitment to empowering children & youth through creativity, has been the foundation on which we continue to build. Inspired by her guidance, our mission has never been only about showing films. It has been about creating an ecosystem where children and young people can discover cinema as a language that empowers them to imagine, question, and tell their own stories.
Storytellers in the Making
Too often, children & youth are treated as passive audiences. SIFF challenges that assumption. Every year, I see the creativity of children who pick up a camera to express emotions or highlight experiences adults might overlook. Giving them that platform, whether through screenings, workshops, or competitions, signals something powerful: their voices matter. The next generation of filmmakers will not simply emerge by chance; they need spaces that nurture them from the earliest stages. SIFF exists to do just that.
Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Bint Mohammed Al Qasimi:
The next generation of filmmakers will not simply emerge by chance; they need spaces that nurture them from the earliest stages.
Cinema as a Cultural Classroom
Cinema is entertainment, yes, but it is also education. Films transport young audiences across cultures and histories in a way no textbook can. At FANN, our programs push beyond the passive consumption of stories. We ask young people to think critically: What is this film saying? Whose perspective is it from? What does it mean for us? This process teaches creativity and cultural awareness in equal measure, skills that are vital for navigating an interconnected world.
Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Bint Mohammed Al Qasimi:
Cinema is entertainment, yes, but it is also education.
Sharjah Meets South Korea
This year’s edition of SIFF highlights just how transformative cultural exchange can be. South Korea is our Guest of Honour, and with it comes a body of work that has captivated the world. Korean cinema is celebrated for its creativity, bold storytelling, and cultural authenticity. Bringing that to Sharjah is more than symbolic; it exposes our youth to an industry that has mastered the art of making local stories resonate globally. Watching those films, and meeting the people behind them, shows our children that their own stories, too, can travel beyond borders.
Building a Film Culture from Childhood
If we want a thriving film culture in the region, we must start young. Introducing children to cinema early is not indulgence, it is investment. They grow up with visual literacy in a screen-saturated age. They learn empathy by seeing the world through others’ eyes. And they begin to understand storytelling not as a distraction but as a way to connect and create. SIFF is committed to embedding this culture from childhood, because tomorrow’s filmmakers and audiences are sitting in our classrooms today.
Beyond Watching Films
A film festival should not end when the credits roll. That is why SIFF goes beyond the screen. Our workshops and interactive programs give young participants practical skills: teamwork, critical thinking, and self-expression. These are tools that build confidence, tools that last far longer than a single festival week. When a child leaves SIFF with the courage to pitch an idea, stand on a stage, or collaborate on a project, we know we are doing more than entertaining; we are equipping them for the future.
Looking Ahead
SIFF and FANN were born from Sharjah’s vision of investing in culture as a pillar of growth. But their success depends on more than institutions; it depends on collective belief. Families, educators, and artists, we all have a role to play in building a future where children do not just consume cinema but shape it.
Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Bint Mohammed Al Qasimi:
“My call is simple: let us trust our young people with the tools of storytelling. Let us give them screens to watch, stages to speak, and spaces to create. Their stories are not only reflections of who they are, they are blueprints for who we can become as a society. And if cinema teaches us anything, it is that a single story has the power to change everything.”
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