Kids watch as many as 132 films in Sharjah festival

It was the perfect theme for this year's edition since Sharjah is celebrating its recognition as World Book Capital 2019, she added.

Heads up, young movie buffs: The well-loved Sharjah International Film Festival for Children and Youth (SIFF) is ready to return for its seventh edition next month, and it will be screening a total of 132 films from 39 countries.

With the theme 'Films Inspired by Books', all-time favourite titles and literature classics will be shown on the big screen at the SIFF to be held from October 13 to 18, organisers said in a Press conference on Monday.

"Many of the Arabic and international film masterpieces have been inspired by books. Films based on literature have the power to connect with audiences across generations. Books will always inspire all forms of art," said Sheikha Jawaher bint Abdullah Al Qasimi, director of the SIFF and FUNN, the organisation behind the fest that promotes media arts among the youth.

It was the perfect theme for this year's edition since Sharjah is celebrating its recognition as World Book Capital 2019, she added.

Sheikha Jawaher bint Abdullah noted that the SIFF objectives had been evolving with the times, ensuring that the films it screened would convey the right messages.

She underscored that it is essential for the new generation of filmmakers to be authentic and honest in choosing a subject they could identify with and one that would also resonate with audiences around the world.

Three-fold increase

The 132 movies were carefully chosen from a whopping 1,454 submissions from 86 countries, a three-fold increase in the number of entries.

Twelve of them will have their international premiere at the SIFF, while 75 will make their Middle East debut. Seven will be screened for the first time in GCC and 11 will have their UAE premieres.

The fest's films are grouped into seven categories: best child and youth-made film, best student-made film, best GCC short film, best international short film, best animation film, best documentary film, and best feature film.

A junior jury consisting of children has been selected to evaluate the films made by their peers, while  professional jurors will evaluate the rest of the categories.

Workshops and panel talks

A series of panel discussions, workshops and activities are lined up for the festival. A raffle draw will also be held, with a Mini Cooper car as the grand prize.

Dr Khalid Omar Al Midfa, chairman of Sharjah Media City, said: "The SIFF is gearing up to highlight the key role of books in nurturing arts  for our young festival attendees.