FUNN, a Sharjah-based organisation dedicated to promoting and supporting media arts learning among children and youth in the UAE, is organising an exceptional event that brings together a line up of Arab and international artists, filmmakers and industry experts to deliver a series of inspiring creative workshops and activities from 12-16 October.

Themed ‘‘Let’s Have FUNN’, the event is to be held remotely and inspired by the vision of the Sharjah International Film Festival for Children & Youth (SIFF) which has been postponed to protect public safety during the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic. Through the virtual event, FUNN aims to keep movie lovers up to date with the latest creative works in the filmmaking industry and continue its mission to promote media arts in all circumstances.

Diverse workshops and world-class experts

The event will host artists and filmmakers from across the world to share their experience and expertise with the audience through four panel discussions. Additionally, 9 artistic and applied workshops for all age groups will be organised based on 2 workshops per day. A collection of Arabic and foreign movies will be streamlined daily on Viemo, a video hosting platform. the audience will also have a chance to enjoy a plethora of various activities.

Sheikha Jawaher bint Abdullah Al Qasimi, the director of FUNN and SIFF said: “Through this event, we aim to promote interest in media arts among all society members and keep the art of filmmaking alive. Arts lift our spirits and drive the negative energy away. As the Sharjah International Film Festival for Children & Youth (SIFF) has been postponed, we want everyone to enjoy films from the comfort of their homes but in a different and creative way, while complying with all the health measures to curb the spread of Coronavirus and continuing to our drive to promote interest in media arts among all society members and highlight the works of creative filmmakers”.

“Let’s Have FUNN showcases movies on various topics to meet the needs of all film enthusiasts. The current health crisis kept us away from each other, but by holding this virtual event, we harness technology to bring us closer, share ideas and knowledge, know more about cutting edge art forms and technologies used in the filmmaking industry and explore different cultures from across the world”. She concluded.