The Emirates News Agency reported that the 13th Sharjah International Film Festival for Children and Youth officially commenced on October 25, 2026, at venues including City Centre Al Zahia and the House of Wisdom. Sheikh Fahim bin Sultan Al Qasimi, chairman of the Department of Government Relations, attended the opening ceremony alongside Sheikha Jawaher bint Abdullah Al Qasimi, director of the festival, and Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Hamed, chairman of the National Media Authority. Sheikha Jawaher bint Abdullah Al Qasimi stated that the event will run through November 1 with a broad cinematic and cultural programme designed to promote visual literacy and develop the next generation’s skills, incorporating morning screenings for school students and evening sessions for families and the public.
A Sharjah24 assessment found that organisers from FANN received 1,802 submissions from 72 countries for the current edition. The festival selected 71 films from 38 countries for the official programme in addition to eight works screening out of competition, according to the same report. Brunei, Burkina Faso and Mauritania are participating for the first time while Egypt, France, South Korea, Saudi Arabia and India supplied the largest number of selected titles, highlighting the event’s expanding international footprint.
Italy features as the country of honour this year, an arrangement that a Gulf News overview noted will introduce young audiences to the nation’s storytelling traditions and cinematic heritage. The programming creates a platform for cultural exchange between the UAE, Italy and the wider filmmaking community while aligning with the festival’s mission to empower younger generations through film. Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, under whose patronage the event takes place alongside that of her husband the Ruler of Sharjah, has guided the festival toward strengthening Sharjah’s role as a regional hub for youth-focused arts initiatives.
Three Green Carpet screenings form a highlight of the schedule, with the Thai film “Gohan” set for October 29, the Italian feature “Forever With You” following on October 30 and the Austrian-German animated work “Mia the Monster” closing that strand on October 31, Variety reported. These titles explore themes of adventure, friendship, belonging and human connection, receiving their Middle East premieres at the festival. Additional selections include Emirati shorts and student productions that place local talent alongside international entries in competitive categories judged by a panel mixing established artists, youth council members and writers.
The festival also hosts the second edition of the Global Conference on Films for Children and Youth, convening specialists to discuss the sector’s current state and future directions, according to festival director Sheikha Jawaher bint Abdullah Al Qasimi in remarks to Sharjah24. Workshops on stop-motion animation, cinematography, production management and content creation will run alongside the screenings to provide hands-on learning opportunities for participants. An industry hub with pitching sessions further supports emerging filmmakers by connecting them with professionals for project development.
FANN, the organising body, has built the event over more than a decade into a platform that combines screenings, interactive experiences and opportunities for young people to explore new cultures and creative voices, a Sharjah24 review indicated. Morning sessions at VOX Cinemas target educational groups while public evening screenings broaden access across the community. The 13th edition reinforces these goals by blending competition, celebration and education to leave a lasting impact on attendees through November 1.