The Sharjah International Film Festival for Children & Youth (SIFF), the UAE’s and the Arab region’s first film fete that celebrates children’s and youth cinema, has announced the inaugural edition of the Children’s Cinema Global Forum that will bring together experts to find a way forward for cinema being produced for this age group, as well as look into ways to facilitate children’s film festivals in the current situation. The forum is being organised in partnership with the Lahore International Children’s Film Festival, Pakistan.

To be held remotely on the Zoom platform on January 29 – 30, the Children’s Cinema Global Forum will convene local, national, and international content creators, executives, directors, producers, distributors, and writers to lead thought-provoking discussions, actionable ideas, and collaborative opportunities to boost the industry.

The forum will be streamed for free and is open to everybody. Registration details are available at: https://thelittleart.org/happenings/childrens-cinema-global-forum.

4 panel discussions

The Children’s Cinema Global Forum will host artists and filmmakers from across the world to share their experience and expertise with the audience through four panel sessions.

The forum will kick off on Friday, January 29, with a session titled Children’s Cinema – Past and Future from 6:00 – 7:00 pm (UAE time). The speakers include:Prof. Dragan Fimon, Director and Academic, France; FirdozeBulbulia, Nelson Mandela Children’s Film Festival, South Africa; and Meenakshi Vinay Rai, Director, Chinh India Film Festival, India. The session will be moderated by Shoaib Iqbal, Director, Lahore International Children’s Film Festival, Pakistan.

The second session of the day,Festivals in 2020 and Post Covid-19, will stream from 7:30-8:30 pm (UAE time). Moderator Shoaib Iqbal will engage with speakers Dan Bennett, Director, Los Angeles International Children’s Film Festival, USA; Claudio Gubitosi, Director, Giffoni Film Festival, Italy; and Keith Bennie, Director, Audience & Community, Toronto International Film Festival, Canada.

Saturday, January 30

The second day’s programme will begin with Future of Festivals, on nurturing children talent and its social impact, from 6:00-7:00 pm (UAE time). Speakers includeMitsuoTahira, Director, Kineko International Children’s Film Festival, Japan; Ahmed Al Mulla, Director, Saudi Film Festival, KSA; and Giulio Vita, Director, La Guarimba Film Festival, Italy. ShorouqLashkri, journalist, Dubai Media Incorporated, will moderate.

The final session of the forum, Collaborations – Areas of Opportunities, will follow at 7:30 – 8:40 pm (UAE time), with moderator Aida Al Busaidy, speaker and writer, engaging Nina Guralnick, Director, New York Children’s Film Festival, USA; Shadi Al Nimiri, Projects Specialist, Royal Film Commission, Jordan; and Monica Wahi, Director, Southasian Children’s Cinema Forum, India, in conversation.

Speaking about the forum, Sheikha Jawaher bint Abdullah Al Qasimi, Director of SIFF, said: “Sharjah has a longstanding tradition of championing storytelling that inspires the imaginations of children and adults alike. SIFF has long understood that family-focused content is a hugely significant cornerstone of the film industry, both culturally and economically. And film festivals are a bridge between the art and its audience. Hence, the forum is an opportunity for us to explore ways in which we can continue growing SIFF amid current challenges, share experiences with, and learn from other film festivals.”

She added: “Our aim is to inject the spirit of our curated festival selections that celebrates the best in filmmaking and distinctive, culturally rich storytelling for all ages, into inspired conversations around ways of nurturing and furthering the children’s film industry. Recognising the importance of nurturing new and diverse voices, SIFF welcomes participation from everybody interested in the future of children’s films, from emerging, independent creators to established makers.”