Sharjah: The Sharjah International Film Festival for Children and Youth (SIFF) celebrated the conclusion of its 11th edition with a grand ceremony at the Sharjah Research, Technology, and Innovation Complex. Under the patronage of Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs, the festival honored outstanding filmmakers and introduced partnerships with major streaming platforms.
According to Emirates News Agency, the festival awarded filmmakers in eight categories during its competition segment. “Amakor”, directed by Ahmed Al-Khodary, received the Best Feature Film award, while “Mar Mama”, by Magdy Al-Omari, was recognized as the Best Arabic Short Film. Other winners included “Hooves” for Best International Short Feature and “The Seven Waves” for Best Documentary Film. In the animation segments, “Diplodocus” and “Lola and the Sound Piano” won Best Animated Feature Film and Best Animated Short respectively.
Sheikha Jawaher bint Abdullah Al Qasimi, General Dire
ctor of FANN and SIFF, highlighted the festival’s role in promoting artistic appreciation among youth and its evolution into a significant cultural event in the Arab world. She noted that the diversity and quality of the films presented captivated the jury and audiences alike.
The festival also announced that this year’s winning films would be available on major streaming platforms such as Apple, Amazon, Netflix, Hulu, and Roku, highlighting SIFF’s commitment to supporting filmmakers and increasing global access to independent films.
The 11th edition of SIFF drew over 50,000 visitors, showcased 100 films from more than 90 countries, and featured a debut participation from Zimbabwe. The festival’s “Green Carpet” platform premiered three films for the first time in the Middle East and honored Palestine as its first-ever guest of honor. The event also recognized the support of its sponsors, including the Sharjah Government Media Office and Al Hilal Enterprises, among others.