Sharjah is preparing to welcome a new chapter in its celebration of cinema and young creativity as the Sharjah International Film Festival for Children and Youth (SIFF) returns for its 13th edition from 25 October to 1 November 2026.Taking place across City Centre Al Zahia and the House of Wisdom, the eight-day festival will bring together international and Arab cinema, emerging creative voices, cultural exchange and educational experiences designed especially for children and young people. Italy has been announced as the Country of Honour for 2026, placing the country's rich cinematic and cultural heritage at the heart of this year's programme.
Cinema Through the Eyes of a New Generation
Organised by FANN, SIFF has developed over more than a decade into a dedicated platform for cinema created for, and increasingly by, younger generations. Beyond film screenings, the festival encourages children and youth to engage with storytelling as a means of discovery, communication and creative expression. The 2026 edition will continue this approach by connecting young audiences with filmmakers, storytellers and creative professionals from different cultural backgrounds. Through international and Arab films, interactive activities and educational programming, SIFF seeks to introduce audiences to different perspectives while encouraging young people to develop their own voices.
The festival is held under the guidance of H.H. Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, and his wife, H.H. Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Family and Community Council. Their support reflects Sharjah's wider commitment to placing education, culture and creativity at the centre of initiatives for children and young people.
Italy Takes Centre Stage
One of the defining elements of SIFF 2026 will be its focus on Italy as Country of Honour. Italy occupies an important place in the history of world cinema, with generations of directors, actors, screenwriters and visual storytellers contributing to the development of the medium. At SIFF, this legacy will provide a gateway through which younger audiences can encounter Italian storytelling, culture and cinematic traditions. The programme is also expected to create opportunities for cultural dialogue between the UAE, Italy and the wider international filmmaking community, reinforcing the festival's role as a meeting point between cultures. For children and young audiences, the Country of Honour programme offers something particularly valuable: an opportunity to experience another culture not simply through information, but through characters, stories, images and emotions.
A Festival Built Around Curiosity and Imagination
Speaking ahead of the 13th edition, Sheikha Jawaher bint Abdullah Al Qasimi, Director of SIFF, emphasised cinema's ability to introduce young audiences to different cultures, ideas and experiences. She noted that the festival aims to create an environment in which young people can “discover, question, imagine and be inspired,” while also encouraging them to become storytellers themselves. This philosophy has become increasingly relevant at a time when young audiences encounter visual content across multiple digital platforms every day. A film festival offers a different experience: one built around considered storytelling, collective viewing, conversation and cultural context. By creating opportunities for young audiences to encounter cinema from different parts of the world, SIFF also positions film as an educational and cultural language, one capable of developing imagination while encouraging empathy, curiosity and critical thinking.
Sharjah as a Cultural Meeting Point
The choice of City Centre Al Zahia and House of Wisdom as the principal venues creates two complementary environments for the festival. While City Centre Al Zahia provides an accessible public setting capable of reaching families and wider audiences, House of Wisdom represents Sharjah's continuing investment in knowledge, literature, learning and cultural dialogue. Together, the venues will become active spaces for cinema and youth creativity throughout the festival's eight days. SIFF also forms part of Sharjah's broader cultural landscape, where museums, libraries, festivals, publishing initiatives, art institutions and educational programmes have contributed to sustained engagement with younger generations. Within this environment, cinema becomes more than entertainment. It becomes a bridge between education and imagination, between local communities and international cultures, and between young audiences and the stories shaping the world around them.
Looking Ahead to SIFF 2026
Further announcements are expected in the coming weeks, including the official film selection, international guests, workshops, activities and special programmes for the 13th edition. From international cinema and Arab storytelling to Italy's presence as Country of Honour, SIFF 2026 is set to offer young audiences eight days in which watching, learning and creating come together. As the festival returns this October, its central purpose remains clear: to give children and young people meaningful access to cinema while creating a space where their curiosity, imagination and creative voices can grow.
Sharjah International Film Festival for Children and Youth – 13th Edition
Dates:25 October – 1 November 2026
Venues: City Centre Al Zahia & House of Wisdom, Sharjah, UAE