Sharjah: H.H. Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, and H.H. Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Family and Community Affairs Authority, participated in the first Global Children and Youth Film Congress at the Sharjah International Film Festival for Children and Youth held at House of Wisdom.
According to Emirates News Agency, H.H. Sheikha Jawaher emphasized that the main session of the congress addressed the Palestinian cause, deeply embedded in the UAE’s conscience, and highlighted the importance of maintaining solidarity with Palestine. She called for media professionals to uphold accuracy and integrity in their reporting, ensuring that young minds are not influenced by misleading narratives on modern platforms.
Sheikha Jawaher also raised concerns about content in films and electronic games that promote destructive behaviors, urging Emirati society to protect children from such influences. The opening ceremony of the congress included a short film featuring highlights from the 12th edition of the festival, which screened 74 films out of 1,740 submissions from 26 countries.
Sheikha Jawaher bint Abdullah Al Qasimi, Director-General of Rubu’ Qarn Foundation and the festival’s Director, stated that the event aligns with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, aiming to empower youth through creativity. Since its inception in 2013, the festival has drawn over 234,000 visitors and showcased more than 12,000 films from 95 countries. She noted that the new congress explores themes such as the voices of Palestinian children in cinema and the role of youth in filmmaking.
During a panel discussion, Sheikha Jawaher bint Abdullah Al Qasimi highlighted the festival’s role in transforming children from passive viewers into storytellers. She emphasized the importance of allowing Palestinian children to share their narratives. Ferdous Bulbulia and Mohammed Keblawi, directors of prominent film festivals, underscored cinema’s power to connect audiences with humanitarian causes.
In another session, Abdulla bin Mohammed bin Butti Al Hamed, Chairman of the National Media Office, discussed the film sector’s challenges and the government’s efforts to support local productions. He highlighted the role of artificial intelligence in reducing production costs and the importance of engaging youth in the industry.
The Global Children and Youth Film Congress serves as a platform to showcase cinema’s impact on young audiences across the Arab world. The event underscores Sharjah’s commitment to fostering creativity and emerging talent. The opening was attended by notable figures including Sheikh Fahim bin Sultan Al Qasimi and Sheikha Hind bint Majid Al Qasimi, alongside film industry professionals and guests of honor.