Sharjah International Film Festival for Children and Youth postponed to October next year

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

FUNN, a Sharjah-based organisation dedicated to promoting and supporting media arts learning among children and youth in the UAE, has announced that the eighth edition of the Sharjah International Film Festival for Children and Youth (SIFF) has been postponed to October 2021, in the light of the exceptional circumstances imposed by the outbreak of a pandemic, and in response to the preventive measures taken by the country to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease.

One of the most anticipated cultural events in Sharjah, SIFF marked its debut in 2013, becoming the first film festival in the UAE and the Arab region to celebrate children’s and youth cinema. By showcasing the latest international creative works at SIFF, festival organiser FUNN aims to nurture a future generation of creative artists skilled in the latest trends and technologies in the film industry and stimulate their love of cinema by shining light on the experiences and expertise of international directors and actors.

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Announcing the decision to postpone the event, Sheikha Jawaher Bint Abdullah Al Qasimi, Director of FUNN and SIFF, said that throughout adverse events in history, audiences the world over have turned to the medium of cinema as a tool to rekindle hope and optimism, and overcome hardship. She also laid emphasis on the integral role of arts in the human development process and in fostering a creative future for the younger generations.

“While our mission is to stimulate and nurture the artistic capabilities of our young generations through SIFF and other events we organise, it is also our responsibility to provide a safe environment for our audiences and guests during this global crisis. We stand in solidarity with the victims of COVID-19 and those who are fighting the disease, and our primary consideration now is towards the safety and wellbeing of our audiences, global visitors, staff and the larger UAE community, and hence we have decided to postpone the 8th edition of SIFF,” she said.