A Lifecycle of Engagement
One of the most distinctive aspects of SIFF is its focus on the longevity of its relationship with its participants. This is perhaps best exemplified by the newly introduced Festival Ambassadors Program. This initiative targets former "Junior Jurors"—young people aged 12 to 20 who have previously served on panels to evaluate films in the Child and Youth-Made Film Competition.
By bringing these former jurors back into the fold as ambassadors, the festival is creating a continuous pipeline of engagement. The goal is to see a child progress from a curious viewer to an informed critic, and eventually to a professional filmmaker or industry leader.
“We didn’t want the relationship with our young participants to end once their time on the jury was over,” Al Qasimi explained. “I want SIFF to be somewhere a child can discover cinema for the first time and, years later, return as a filmmaker with a story of their own. I would love to see some of them eventually return as filmmakers, mentors, or industry professionals.”
This holistic approach to talent development is mirrored in the festival’s educational programming. This year’s workshops cover a diverse array of modern filmmaking disciplines, ranging from traditional animation and content creation to the cutting-edge application of artificial intelligence in pre-production. By introducing AI into the curriculum, the festival is ensuring that the next generation of Emirati and regional filmmakers is equipped with the tools that are currently reshaping the global industry.
Global Reach and Local Identity
While the industry focus is a major pillar of the 13th edition, the festival’s core identity as a global cultural exchange remains intact. The scale of this year’s program is a testament to its growing international reputation. SIFF received a staggering 1,802 submissions from 72 countries this year. From that pool, 71 films from 38 countries were selected for the official program.
The diversity of the selection is particularly noteworthy, with Brunei, Burkina Faso, and Mauritania represented for the first time in the festival’s history. This expansion into new territories underscores Sharjah’s role as a global hub for cultural diplomacy. Furthermore, a new out-of-competition section has been added to the lineup, featuring eight additional titles that further broaden the festival’s aesthetic and thematic range.
A centerpiece of the international program is the designation of Italy as the Country of Honor. This partnership will include a special Green Carpet screening on October 30 of Fabrizio Cattani’s film Forever With You. The focus on Italy is intended to do more than just showcase Italian cinema; it is designed to foster a direct exchange between Italian and Emirati filmmakers. Al Qasimi hopes that by studying different creative approaches and production models, local filmmakers can gain fresh perspectives on their own work.
“I would like SIFF to become a festival that international filmmakers actively seek out, not only to screen their work, but also to discover new voices from the UAE and the wider Arab region,” she said.
