When the annual Sharjah International Children’s Film Festival (SICFF) was launched five years ago, its core objectives were to foster Emirati filmmakers, and expose children not only to the art of filmmaking but to the vast world of cinema that thrives around everywhere around them.

The fifth edition’s first day’s selection from the 124 films that will be showcased during the festival comprised an eclectic mix of short films, short animations and a feature film screening. Handpicked from around the world, many of the movies screened were ripe with messages of a child’s strength through times of war and despair, and ways in which they perceive the world to find happiness around them. 

Among some of the short films screened, “A Special Guest” by award-winning Kurdish filmmaker, Kae Bahar, was a touching portrayal of how the grief suffered from loss, no matter the age or nationality of an individual, has the same intensity. Long-held memories of war come crashing when 10-year-old Ako, a refugee who lost his father to war is persuaded to spend an afternoon with elderly English neighbours who still suffer from the grief for losing their daughter. Ako finds a warm atmosphere in their home and in each other’s company the special guest and their hosts learn that sometimes letting go is hard, but is the best way forward.

The feature film pick of the day was “Little Boy”, the 2015 American war-drama film by Mexican director Alejandro Monteverde. A moving tale of an eight-year-old boy, Pepper, who is willing to do whatever it takes to end the gruesome war so he can bring his father home, the story reveals the indescribable love a father has for his little boy and the love a son has for his father.

“The main intention behind screening the film was to inspire our younger audiences and give them an opportunity to experience the kind of grit that can move mountains. Children viewed the negative effects of enmity, war and destruction and how these can affect community and family life. Also, the themes of love and faith, and strong bonds of friendship between a parent and child were portrayed beautifully – values that SICFF seeks to promote among its young patrons,” said Sheikha Jawaher Bint Abdullah Al Qassimi, Director of FUNN and SICFF.

Monteverde’s first film “Bella” received the People Choice Award in 2006 at Toronto International Film Festival.

Some of the short animation picks included Richard Wiley’s “The Bookworm” that was selected among the American entries; “The Unwashed Penguin” by Swiss filmmaker Isabelle; “Nino & Felix” by Marta Palazzo from Italy; “Odd is an Egg”, the first directorial production of Kristin Ulseth from the Norwegian film industry, and several others.

SICFF 2017 will host 70 directors and filmmakers from around the world, with the United States leading the programme with 45 films, followed by the UAE with 33 films and then France with 29 films. All screenings will take place at JRCC during the festival. This year’s edition of the festival will also hold 50 training workshops covering an array of topics on cinema and the visual arts, which will continue at locations in Sharjah up until November 16.

Through SICFF and its other initiatives, FUNN – Sharjah Media Arts for Youth and Children aims to nurture a future generation of creative artists in media and film, and promotes new media works and films made by children and young filmmakers of the UAE at international film festivals, and conferences worldwide. Their larger goal is to foster talent through these festivals, conferences and workshops locally and internationally, and form a close-knit network of talented young people who can share experiences and expertise on a global scale.