By H.H. Sheikha Jawaher bint Abdulla Al Qasimi Director, Sharjah International Film Festival for Children & Youth (SIFF)

أكتوبر 23, 2025

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Personal Journey & Leadership

Highness Sheikha Jawaher, having started your career at 19, what key advice would you give to a 19-year-old today who wants to lead in the arts?

When I started at 19, I had a lot of passion but not much experience. What I learned is that passion is not enough on its own; you need patience and the willingness to listen and learn from people around you. My advice would be: don’t rush. Leadership is not about being the loudest voice in the room; it’s about creating space for others. The arts can be unpredictable, so resilience matters too. And most importantly, find mentors and people who challenge you. I’ve been very fortunate to grow under the guidance of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Al Qasimi, whose support has always reminded me that age is not a barrier if your vision is clear.

As a former teacher, what is the most important lesson your students have taught you?

They taught me that creativity flourishes when children feel safe and free. As a teacher, I often thought I was the one guiding them, but many times it was the children who shifted my perspective. They are unafraid to ask questions or to imagine things adults sometimes overlook. That openness shaped how we built SIFF and FANN, where the goal is not to tell young people what stories to tell, but to give them the tools and confidence to share their own.

3. What personal quality, unrelated to film? What has been most critical to your success in building SIFF from the ground up?

Perseverance. Building SIFF wasn’t easy; it took years of convincing people, finding the right partners, and keeping faith in the vision. There were times when it felt overwhelming, but staying committed made the difference. Perseverance is what allows you to push through uncertainty. I’ve seen this quality reflected in Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Al Qasimi, whose dedication to empowering children and youth in Sharjah has been a constant source of strength for all of us. Her support gave me the confidence to keep moving forward even when challenges arise.

Vision & Philosophy

Beyond screening films, what is the single most important skill SIFF aims to instill in a young person?

Confidence, if a young person leaves SIFF feeling that their voice matters, then we’ve succeeded. Films and workshops are tools, but the bigger goal is to give children the belief that they can create, share, and be heard. That confidence can shape how they see themselves in the world.

2. How do you measure the true success of a festival like SIFF—is it in the films shown or the conversations started?

For me, it’s always in the conversations. Films are powerful, but their real impact comes in what they spark. When a child asks a question that they never thought of before, or when a discussion bridges cultures. That’s when you know the festival has done its job. Cultural platforms are about creating dialogue, not just showcasing art. That’s the kind of success I measure.

On Cinema & Culture

Why was South Korea chosen as the Country of Honor, and what specific aspects of its cinema do you believe will most resonate with Emirati youth?

Korea has become a significant voice in global culture, particularly through film and television. Their stories are rooted in identity but still universal, and that balance is something we want our children & youth to experience. Themes like family, resilience, and ambition are deeply relatable here in the UAE as well. Emirati youth already connect with Korean culture through music and TV, so highlighting cinema felt like a natural step. This choice reflects Sharjah’s vision, which consistently encourages meaningful and lasting cultural exchange.

What is the most important story from the Arab world that you feel still needs to be told to young international audiences?

I believe the everyday lives of Arab children are not told enough. Too often, the world sees us through headlines or stereotypes. But the small, human stories, their friendships, their creativity, and their humour, are universal and show who we truly are. That’s what we need to bring to international audiences. This is why SIFF exists: to open a window into our world through authentic voices.

How do you ensure the workshops move beyond theory and give youth a genuine, hands-on filmmaking experience

We design them to be fully practical. From the start, children & youth are encouraged to write, film, or animate something of their own. They leave not just with knowledge, but with a small piece of work they created. That sense of achievement stays with them. We also bring in professionals who treat them as equals, not just students. This approach is part of the vision of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Al Qasimi, who insists that SIFF and FANN must give young people real opportunities to practice, not just to observe.

On The Future & Technology

How is AI changing the way you teach storytelling and filmmaking to the next generation at SIFF?

AI is making things more accessible. Children & youth can experiment with editing or animation faster than before. But we’re very clear that AI is just a tool; it can never replace the human experience at the heart of storytelling. What we want is to show youth how to use it responsibly, to support their creativity rather than dominate it.

What’s one piece of the past—a classic film technique or storytelling method—that you believe is essential for future filmmakers to learn?

The art of silence. Early filmmakers mastered the ability to tell stories without words, through movement, framing, and emotion. That discipline is still so powerful today. It teaches filmmakers to trust the image, to let the audience feel rather than be told. At SIFF, we try to remind young people that while technology is moving fast, the basics of human storytelling remain timeless.

Quick & Insightful

If you could only screen one film to inspire a child to become a filmmaker, what would it be and why

Honestly, I would choose a short film made by another child. Because when a young person sees someone their age on the screen, it feels achievable. It shows them that they don’t have to wait until they’re older or more experienced; their stories are worth telling now. That’s why SIFF always highlights youth-made films.

Looking ahead, what is the next big ambition for SIFF that you haven’t yet achieved?

I want to see filmmakers who started at SIFF go on to show their work at major international festivals. That would mean our efforts created a true pipeline, from a child’s first workshop to global recognition. We’re building more mentorship and long-term support to help make that happen.

3. On Curation: When selecting films, what’s a more important quality: technical perfection or raw, authentic storytelling from a young creator?

Authenticity, perfection will come with time, but honesty and originality are what make a film stand out. We’d rather have a technically imperfect film that feels real than a polished one with no soul. That’s what SIFF values most.

4. On Cultural Bridge-Building: Beyond film screenings, how will the partnership with South Korea create a tangible, two-way creative exchange for young Emirati and Korean filmmakers?

We don’t want it to stop at screenings. We’re working on workshops, mentorships, and even collaborative projects where Emirati and Korean children & youth can create together. When young people collaborate, they build relationships that last beyond the festival. That’s the true exchange. This is exactly what cultural platforms mean: they create dialogue and cooperation, not just symbolic recognition.

5. On Personal Drive: Having achieved so much so young, what continues to be your most powerful source of creative inspiration today?

Always the young people. Every time I see a child’s eyes light up at their first film or a youth nervously present their script, it reminds me why this work matters. Their energy and courage to dream keep me motivated. I also take inspiration from the leadership of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Al Qasimi, who shows us that culture and children’s empowerment are not side projects, but priorities. That combination of youth energy and her guidance fuels everything I do.