The long-awaited Sharjah International Film Festival for Children and Youth (SIFF 2021) returned on October 10 (Sunday) evening with its first-ever fully virtual edition and Kim Jin-Yu’s South Korean feature ‘Bori’ making its Middle East premiere.

The globally acclaimed film festival organised by FUNN – Sharjah Media Arts for Youth and Children under the theme ‘Think Film’, is open to audiences across the world who can register on the link www.siff.ae to enjoy the films as well as attend the workshops and panel discussions.SIFF will continue until Friday, October 15.

Speaking at the opening ceremony was Sheikha Jawaher bint Abdullah Al Qasimi, Director of FUNN and SIFF, the Emirati filmmaker Nahla Al Fahad, Syrian actor Abed Fahed, Yahya Mahayni, Syrian actor and writer whose moving performance in 2021 Oscar-nominated film The Man Who Sold His Skin won him international acclaim., and a host of Junior Jurors, who spoke eloquently about their experiences and dreams.

Sheikha Jawaher bint Abdullah: Cinema helps us face challenges

In her keynote address at the opening ceremony, Sheikha Jawaher bint Abdullah Al Qasimi, Director of FUNN and SIFF, said the film festival had grown into a truly unique and exclusive platform for the young generations to explore and strengthen their connection with the media arts.

Sheikha Jawaher said: “For years, FUNN has been realising the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, as well as the directives of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, wife of the Ruler of Sharjah and Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs, by investing in children and youth and building ambitious generations capable of fully expressing their creativity and sharing it with their peers worldwide.”

The Director of SIFF added: “Amid recent challenges and uncertainty, we deepen our bond with life and see the extraordinary in its simplicities. Films have gifted us fascinating and unforgettable moments. At times, they serve as a shield in the face of challenges and become a bridge that helps us reach out to and communicate with people, especially from other cultures.”

She concluded: “The 8th edition of SIFF will be exceptional, held virtually to ensure everyone’s safety and well-being. We have a programme agenda, which I’m sure will not only meet, but exceed your ambitions and artistic vision. This year, we look forward to witnessing remarkable moments of creative genius, and in the process, explore varied experiences of participating filmmakers and media arts professionals who have joined us from around the globe. The new value they create on this platform will build on the achievements of the festival’s previous editions.”

‘The magic of cinema’

In her address, Emirati filmmaker Nahla Al Fahad thanked the Emirate of Sharjah for the opportunities it gave children and youth to experience culture and arts through such festivals.

She said: “Today we are gathered here for an exceptional festival that aims to develop the talents of children and youth in the field of cinema. This golden opportunity was not available to previous generations. SIFF now provides it to lovers of photography, acting, and directing through film screenings, training workshops, and panel discussions, in addition to meeting with experts. It also provides training to develop the talents of participants as part of the festival’s objectives. Therefore, it has significant value as it grows children and youth from consumers of cinema to learning how it is created, taking them through the various stages of production while learning the art and craft of making films. Every family may have a potential writer, director, cinematographer or producer, and festivals such as SIFF are important tools to bring their talents to the fore and enrich the medium.”

Speaking about the importance of SIFF, Abed Fahad said: “Art has an irresistible magic power. Children and youth have an extraordinary capability to capture the beauty of cinema and interpret it in a way that reflects their dreams and reality. We start to develop our awareness of life and art as children or young people from our mothers’ lullabies, school hymns, when we strolled among nature or watched unforgettable movies.Those childhood impressions played a decisive role in choosing my career path and becoming what I am today.”

He added: “SIFF has always played a key role in enhancing the media literacy of children and young people who are the hope of our future. Let us remember that it is our responsibility to increase their awareness and enrich their culture.”

Mahayni’s lessons of life for youth

In his address, Yahya Mahayni, Syrian actor and writer and winner of the Best Actor Award in the Horizons section at the Venice International Film Festival 2020, took the opportunity to share his life lessons with the young audience.

“Everybody aspires for happiness – for some it is fame and money, for others it may be travelling, discovering new places, or languages. I always keep reminding myself that all these things are a means to an end, and that is happiness. There are multitude of ways to achieve it; the important thing is to be able to sustain your curiosity and imagination and pursue [your dreams],” he continued.

Mahayani added: “In my opinion, what will bring lasting happiness is self-satisfaction. Achieve your best potential, be the best person you can be and continuously work towards becoming a better person. Only when you do that you are fulfilling the purpose of your existence. I encourage each of you to ask yourself what is it that makes you satisfied with yourself. Write it down so that you can remind yourself each day and motivate yourself to becoming what you want to be. It has worked for me; it should for you too.”

The opening ceremony concluded with the Junior Jurors and the Jurors for the various categories being introduced to the audience.

‘Bori’ inaugurates SIFF 2021

SIFF 2021 opened with the South Korean film Bori, making its Middle East debut. Directed by Kim Jin-Yu, the charming film narrated the story of Bori who lives with her parents and little brother, the only member in an otherwise deaf and silent household who can talk and hear and constantly prays to go deaf too.  The film focuses on the young girl’s struggle to fit in with her own family.

A packed programme

The full slate of films at SIFF 2021 include more than80 films from 38 countries, including 6 world premieres, 34 Middle East and four GCC premieres, and four films being shown for the first time in the UAE.

SIFF will also host 34 workshops and five panel discussions in English as well as Arabic, presented by a host of renowned filmmakers, on various aspects of filmmaking.