FUNN, the Sharjah-based organisation dedicated to promoting and supporting media arts learning among children and youth, will be hosting an amazing lineup of film, photography and art workshops from 12 – 16October, as the entity commences a five-day virtual film and media event, ‘Let’s Have FUNN’.

Designed to equip the young generations with new skills, insider tips and a range of easy-to-apply techniques, the 10 artistic and applied workshops will be delivered by leading industry experts in line with FUNN’s mission of empowering children and youth by nurturing their creativity in the field of media arts.

The remotely held ‘Let’s Have FUNN’ is inspired by the vision of the Sharjah International Film Festival for Children & Youth (SIFF), and aims to keep young movie lovers up to date with the latest works in the filmmaking industry in comfort and safety of their homes, away from the dangers of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Engaging 1-hour workshops to boost diverse skills

Day 1: Monday, 12 October

Flip It! (6.30pm to 7.30pm)

FadiSyriani, animator and writer/director based in Beirut and founder of Youth Animation Foundation, will introduce children to the delightful world of animation with a focus on animated drawings and flipbook making. Several international animated shorts will be screened for inspiration, and during the workshop, children will make their own small flipbooks.

Smartphone Videomaking(8 pm to 9 pm)

Hussain Al Bahrani, an award-winning photographer and content creator from the Sultanate of Oman, will present the key features of successful phone videomaking to provide children with the skills and confidence required to create and share effective and engaging short videos. Children will learn the tricks to get great shots, and gain insights into the new technologies in videomaking.

Photo Hacks & Light Painting(9.30pm to 10.30pm)

Photographer and videographer Ryan Paliswill introduce DIY techniques and share tips and tricks to enhance the creative touch in any genre of photography with the art of light painting. Using the technique that calls for capturing long exposure shots while lighting the subject with a continuous light source, children will learn to create unique images using household items.

Day 2: Tuesday, 13 October

Creative Photography Backgrounds(6.30pm to 7.30pm)

With photographer Fatima Omar, attendees will learn how to transform photos from ordinary to extraordinary. Children will be guided on going beyond their comfort zone to improve their art by learning how to use innovative techniques and creative imagination to create attractive backgrounds for their smartphone pictures.

GIF design(8 pm to 9 pm)

Kuwait-based photographer Osama Al Ibrahim will teach children how to express themselves without the use of words through the techniques of animated GIF or Graphics Interchange Format which is a rage on the internet. In this workshop, children will learn how to create cute and shareable animated GIFs to express a range of emotions and situations.

Day 3: Wednesday, 14 October

Colour wheel(6.30pm to 7.30pm)

Fatima Al Harethi will lead the participants of this workshop on an exciting journey into the world of colour schemes and that harmony it creates. Children will learn about the colour wheel and the importance of distributing colour in a thoughtful manner to enable them to put together a striking colour palette for any artistic or design project.

Introduction to Photography(9.30pm to 10.30pm)

For those looking to get more out of their digital camera, this introductory workshop by Nikon, is designed to teach simple yet powerful tricks to take their photography skills to the next level. Apart from learning which settings are best for specific photographic situations, the workshop will also teach how to compose the perfect shot, and how to operate the various features of the digital camera.

Day 4: Thursday, 15 October

Basics of Photography(6.30pm to 7.30pm)

Ace photographer Amna Bin Khalaf will host this workshop to enhance participants harness the full potential of their cameras and express their artistic vision. From learning the basics of proper exposure, focusing, and depth control, the workshop will also provide insights into composition techniques and share tips for consistent image quality

Day 5: Friday, 16 October

Introduction to videography(5 pm to 6 pm)

This hands-on videography workshop by Nikon will equip participants with the technical skills and creative inputs required to create professional standard films and videos that can be optimised for web and digital delivery. From planning to shooting to editing, the skills acquired here will enable participants to start their YouTube channels, shoot videos for family events or record the memories of their loved ones in a special way.

Bringing Characters to Life: Animation at Disney(6.30pm to 7.30pm)

In this session, Amy Smeed, co-Head of Animation at Walt Disney, will talk to kids aged 10+ about different disciplines within an animated film, and focus largely on how Disney animators have been bringing characters to life for decades. Smeed will delve into the art of character animation, explaining how animators skillfully use various mediums to design and createfully developed characters.

To know more or to register for any of the workshops, please log on to www.funn.ae