As the Sharjah International Film Festival for Children and Youth (SIFF) prepares to launch its 13th edition, the event is undergoing a significant strategic evolution. While its foundation remains rooted in providing young audiences with access to global cinema, the festival is increasingly positioning itself as a critical bridge between creative aspiration and professional reality. Under the leadership of Sheikha Jawaher bint Abdullah Al Qasimi, the director of SIFF, the festival is shifting its focus toward the "business of film," recognizing that talent alone is often insufficient in an industry defined by complex networks and high barriers to entry.
“Learning how to make a film is one thing, but getting that film produced and seen by an audience is a completely different challenge,” Sheikha Jawaher bint Abdullah Al Qasimi told Variety in a recent discussion regarding the festival’s trajectory. “This is where many talented young filmmakers struggle, particularly when they don’t have access to producers, funding, or the right industry contacts.”
This realization serves as the cornerstone for the upcoming edition, which is scheduled to run from October 26 to October 31. This year, the festival is doubling down on its commitment to professional development through the expansion of its Industry Hub and the return of its Film Pitching Session. Initially launched in 2025, the pitching session was designed to demystify the process of securing backing for cinematic projects. In its inaugural year, the program supported three projects; this year, it has doubled in size, with six selected projects set to be presented to a panel of potential funders and industry partners.
The expansion of these programs signals a broader shift in how SIFF views its mandate. It is no longer just a venue for consumption, but a laboratory for production. By connecting emerging filmmakers—specifically those aged 18 and above who are creating content for younger audiences—with the individuals who control the levers of production and finance, SIFF is attempting to solve a systemic issue within the regional creative economy.
Nurturing the Professional Pipeline
The challenge for many filmmakers in the Arab world, according to Al Qasimi, is rarely a lack of narrative inspiration. The region is a reservoir of untapped stories and unique cultural perspectives. Instead, the bottleneck occurs during the transition from an idea to a tangible product.
“I don’t think there is a shortage of talent or interesting stories in the Arab world,” Sheikha Jawaher stressed. “The challenge is often what happens after they develop those ideas. They may have the skills to make a film, but they don’t necessarily know how to approach a producer, secure financing, navigate the festival circuit, or find distribution opportunities.”
This "knowledge gap" is what the Industry Hub intends to fill. By facilitating direct interactions between up-and-coming creators and established professionals, the festival provides a roadmap for navigating the business side of cinema. The pitching sessions are particularly unique because they are not framed as traditional competitions. There are no cash prizes awarded at the end of the day. Instead, the focus is on the long-term value of relationship-building and mentorship.
The philosophy behind this approach is that a single connection can be more transformative for a career than a one-time grant. Al Qasimi noted that understanding the mechanics of the industry—how to package a script, how to talk to investors, and how to manage the logistical hurdles of post-production—is what ultimately allows a filmmaker to sustain a career.
“Financing is certainly a challenge,” she added, “but I believe access to the right people and professional guidance is just as important. A filmmaker might have a wonderful script, but without understanding the business side of cinema, it can be difficult to move forward.”
