Sheikha Jawaher bint Abdulla Al Qasimi: Cultivating the Next Generation of Storytellers at the Sharjah International Film Festival.

أكتوبر 1, 2025

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For over a decade, Sheikha Jawaher bint Abdulla Al Qasimi, the Director of the Sharjah International Film Festival for Children and Youth (SIFF), has been at the forefront of a cultural movement. Under her leadership, SIFF has been transformed into more than just an event; it is a dynamic ecosystem where children and youth are not merely spectators but the central protagonists of their own cinematic journeys.

A Festival with a Future-Facing Vision

Sheikha Jawaher Al Qasimi’s core philosophy is that a film festival should be a catalyst for growth and imagination. She has built SIFF into a unique space where young audiences discover cinema as both a source of entertainment and a powerful educational tool. It is a platform where budding filmmakers find the confidence to share their work, and where films from around the world spark meaningful conversations about creativity, culture, and positive change. She firmly believes that festivals like SIFF are not just about screening films but about inspiring futures, encouraging young people to imagine, to tell their own stories, and to see cinema as a vital bridge between cultures.

Nurturing Young Voices: From Audience to Creator

A key pillar of Sheikha Jawaher’s strategy is the focus on nurturing children and youth as active storytellers. Through SIFF and FANN, she has championed initiatives that go beyond passive viewing. The festival’s extensive program of workshops, talks, and interactive sessions is meticulously designed to equip youth with practical skills—from screenwriting and animation to directing—and the confidence to pursue their passions. This hands-on approach ensures that the festival’s impact extends far beyond the screen, building a sustainable creative foundation for the future.

Championing Arab Cinema for Young Audiences

Understanding the profound importance of representation, Sheikha Jawaher is a passionate advocate for producing and promoting high-quality Arab content for young viewers. She emphasizes the critical need for films and series that reflect the voices, stories, and cultural context of children in the region. By providing a dedicated platform for this content, she ensures that young Arab audiences see themselves on screen while also sharing their rich heritage with international peers, fostering a genuine two-way cultural exchange.

Building Bridges: Sharjah and South Korea in Focus

This year, under her direction, SIFF 2025 will highlight a special cultural exchange with South Korea, showcasing how cinema can connect diverse societies. This focus will bring a curated selection of Korean films for young audiences and facilitate collaborations between filmmakers, illustrating the universal language of storytelling and its power to build mutual understanding and appreciation.