With Italy as Guest of Honour, SIFF 2026 brings a global programme of cinema, culture and emerging talent to Sharjah

Cinema becomes a window into the world once again as the Sharjah International Film Festival for Children and Youth (SIFF) returns for its 13th edition, bringing together 71 films from 38 countries for eight days of storytelling, cultural exchange and creative discovery.

Taking place from 25 October to 1 November 2026 at City Centre Al Zahia and House of Wisdom, the festival will welcome filmmakers, young audiences and emerging talent from across the globe, placing children and youth at the heart of the cinematic experience.

Held under the guidance of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, and Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Family and Community Council, the festival continues to position cinema as more than entertainment — as a space for young people to explore different cultures, develop their voices and see the world through new perspectives.

A Global Programme Comes to Sharjah

The international scale of this year’s edition is reflected in the numbers. SIFF 2026 received 1,802 submissions from 72 countries, with 71 films selected for the official programme, alongside eight films screening out of competition.

Egypt, France, South Korea, Saudi Arabia and India are among the countries with the highest number of selected films, while Brunei, Burkina Faso and Mauritania will make their SIFF debut.

Together, the selection brings a broad spectrum of cinematic languages, cultures and perspectives to Sharjah, reinforcing the festival’s growing role on the international youth cinema calendar.

Italy Takes Centre Stage

For its 13th edition, SIFF will welcome Italy as Guest of Honour, shining a spotlight on the country’s rich cinematic and cultural heritage.

The programme will introduce young audiences to Italian storytelling and filmmaking while creating opportunities for creative exchange between the UAE and Italy.

Sheikha Jawaher bint Abdullah Al Qasimi, Director of the Sharjah International Film Festival for Children and Youth, said the festival’s growing international presence reflects its role in strengthening cross-cultural dialogue and creating new pathways for emerging generations.

“Cinema does more than tell stories about the world; it gives children and young people the space to understand it, express their perspectives and create stories of their own.”

She highlighted the increasing number of submissions as a reflection of filmmakers’ confidence in SIFF, while emphasising the festival’s ambition to empower young talent and turn every screening and encounter into an opportunity for inspiration.

Italy’s participation, she added, carries particular significance given the country’s legacy in the arts and filmmaking, offering young audiences the opportunity to discover different cinematic traditions while opening new avenues for collaboration between filmmakers and emerging talent from both countries.

Three Stories Take the Green Carpet

Among the highlights of this year’s programme are three Green Carpet screenings, bringing stories of adventure, friendship, belonging and human connection to young audiences.

The programme begins with the Thai film Gohan on 29 October, followed by Italy’s Forever With You on 30 October. The Green Carpet series concludes on 31 October with the Austrian-German animated film Monster Mia.

An International Jury of Filmmakers and Industry Voices

Beyond the screen, SIFF 2026 brings together an international line-up of filmmakers, academics, media professionals and industry experts to evaluate the festival’s competitions.

The Arabic Short Film Competition will feature Emirati filmmaker Waleed Al Shehhi, Dr Nashwa Al Ruwaini and Hani Al Mulla, CEO of the Saudi Cinema Association and the Saudi Film Festival.

The International Short Film Competition jury includes Giulio Vita, founder and Artistic Director of La Guarimba International Film Festival; filmmaker and screenwriter Layaly Badr; and journalist and editor Ghassan Abdullah Kharroub.

Other juries span animation, documentary, student filmmaking and feature films, bringing together voices from the UAE, the wider Arab region and the international film community.

Putting Young Filmmakers in the Conversation

What distinguishes SIFF is its focus not only on young audiences, but on giving young people an active role in the filmmaking ecosystem.

Through the Junior Jurors Programme, aspiring film enthusiasts aged 12 to 20 develop their understanding of film criticism, selection and jury responsibilities. Participants explore different genres, learn how films are evaluated and ultimately apply those skills by judging entries in the Child and Youth-Made Film Competition.

The Festival Ambassadors Programme extends that engagement by bringing back former Young Jury members to help build a growing community around cinema. Through peer engagement, programme participation and new ideas, the ambassadors contribute to the festival’s continuing youth-focused development.

Where Cinema Opens New Perspectives

With films arriving from 38 countries, Italy taking the spotlight and young people taking an increasingly active role in the festival itself, SIFF 2026 is shaping cinema as a space for connection, curiosity and possibility.

For eight days, Sharjah will become a meeting point for stories from around the world — giving a new generation not only the opportunity to watch cinema, but to question it, understand it and eventually create stories of their own.