FUNN, the Sharjah-based organisation dedicated to engaging younger generations in media arts, organised a training camp on filmmaking as part of its Spring Programme, in collaboration with Sharjah Youth, with a view to brushing up cinematic talents of children and young people.

The training camp, held at the Sharjah Equestrian and Racing Club, featured several workshops presented by Emirati Actor, Director and Producer, Abdullah Al Humairi and Emirati Director and Cinematic Photographer, Ali Bin Mattar. The workshops were designed for boys and girls aged 13-15 years, and aimed to inspire their creative faculties and encourage them discover their talents and interests in filmmaking.

During the workshops, participants were introduced the various stages filmmaking entails. From conceiving a storyline to the basics of script writing, turning it into screenplay, and then using that as the basis for the stages of acting, shooting and direction, and then finally through to production of the final film.

The youngsters also engaged in the “detective game” which involved looking for clues related to filmmaking. The game aimed to motivate them to think cinematically while encouraging their problem solving skills. The winning team won exciting prizes. The Sharjah Equestrian and Racing Club conducted a horse riding class for the camp’s participants, which introduced several of them to the world of horseback riding.

The event is in line with FUNN’s efforts to foster children’s experiences in the world of cinema and alter the movie into a language in which they communicate with their peers from different world cultures and express issues that concern them or things they want to highlight. The films made by made the participants have been included on the screenings list of the upcoming edition of the Sharjah Children’s International Film Festival (SICFF 2018), due to be held in October.