Sharjah: The 13th edition of the Sharjah International Children’s and Youth Film Festival is set to take place from October 25 to November 1, 2026, at City Centre Al Zahia and Bait Al Hikma in Sharjah. This year, Italy will be featured as the guest of honor, offering the festival’s young audience a chance to explore its cinematic and cultural heritage.
According to National Iraqi News Agency, the festival, held under the patronage of Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Family and Community Council, and organized by FUNN, will showcase a selection of international and Arab films. The event will include interactive experiences and opportunities for attendees to connect with filmmakers and storytellers, fostering an environment for learning about perspectives and experiences from around the world. The festival continues its mission to support cinema for children and youth, as well as films created by young filmmakers.
Celebrating Italy as the guest of honor is a central theme of the 2026 edition. The festival aims to highlight Italy’s impact on world cinema, providing children and young people with the opportunity to discover Italian storytelling and culture through film. This celebration also aims to enhance creative exchanges between the UAE, Italy, and the international film community.
Sheikha Jawaher Al Qasimi, Director of the Sharjah International Children’s and Youth Film Festival, stated, “Cinema gives children and young people the chance to see the world through different eyes, opening windows onto new cultures, ideas, and experiences, and encouraging them to think creatively and craft their own stories. We aspire, with each edition of the Sharjah International Children’s and Youth Film Festival, to provide a space that allows our young audience to discover, question, imagine, and be inspired.”
For eight days, the festival will transform City Centre into a hub for cinema, culture, and creativity, further strengthening Sharjah’s role as a regional leader in arts and cultural initiatives aimed at empowering the new generation.