The fifth edition of the Sharjah International Children’s Film Festival, SICFF, 2017, will begin next month with the unprecedented participation of some 124 films from 31 countries.

The United States, US, UAE and France have submitted the highest number of entries with 45, 33 and 29 films, respectively. Most of these films will be showcased for the first time in the UAE and around the region and will be screened in the presence of 70 international film directors. The event will conclude on 13th October.

The FUNN Establishment and the Sharjah Media Arts for Youth and Children unveiled the details during a press conference on Tuesday, where Sheikha Jawaher bint Abdullah Al Qasimi, Director of FUNN and SICFF, spoke about the event, along with Dr. Habib Ghuloom, Emirati actor, director and member of SICFF’s judging panel, and Ola Al Haj Hussin, Corporate Citizenship Manager, Crescent Enterprises, SICFF’s Gold Sponsor.

Sheikha Jawaher said the world’s most prestigious and prolific filmmaking nations were participating in the event, many of them showcasing the premieres of their film.

She observed that with such a large number of premieres at this year’s festival, film lovers would have the chance to enjoy a new cinematic experience, in keeping with SICFF’s aim of bringing pioneering filmmaking to the region, since its inception in 2013. Among the premieres are ‘Albion: The Enchanted Stallion’, ‘The Little Vampire’, ‘Window Horses’ and ‘The Big and Little’.

The festival features seven categories, namely: Best Short GCC Film; Best Student-made Film; Best International Short Film; Best Animation Film; Best Documentary Film; Best Feature Film; and Best Child-made Film.

Sheikha Jawaher said that at this year’s edition, there would be a dedicated jury for each of the festival’s seven categories, made up of 19 members.

The participating films will be screened at Al Jawaher Reception and Convention Centre, JRCC, and Novo Cinema at Sahara Mall in Sharjah, which will be open for school students in the morning. The SICFF training workshops will also be held at JRCC, and once the festival concludes, the workshops will continue in Kalba, Dibba Al Hisn and Khorfakkan from 15th to 31st October, and in Al Thaid, Al Madam, Al Hamyria and Al Bataeh from 5th to 16th November 2017.

"The Sharjah International Children’s Film Festival follows the directives of H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, and H.H. Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, wife of H.H. the Ruler of Sharjah and Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs, SCFA. Their vision has inspired the initiatives and festivals that stir the imagination of children and nurture their creativity, creating an environment where cultures meet and differences vanish through the power and energy of visual arts," said Sheikha Jawaher bint Abdullah Al Qasimi.

Dr. Habib Ghuloom emphasised that the arts reflected the deepest emotions in humankind and illustrated a highly advanced level of consciousness and intellectual maturity. He said that all art forms, including the film industry, have the ability to unite people, and transcend physical and spiritual borders.

Ola Al Haj Hussin, said, "We are proud to support the SICFF efforts in fostering talent among the youth and nurturing a future generation of artistes."