Sharjah, United Arab Emirates - Monday, October 21st 2013 [ME NewsWire]
HH Sheikh Dr Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, and HH Sheikha Jawaher Bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs and Patron of the Sharjah International Children’s Film Festival, launched the Sharjah International Children’s Film Festival. It is the first festival of its kind in the region, and is initiated by FUNN. Many Sheikhas and dignitaries graced the launch at Jawaher Reception & Convention Centre.
HH Sheikh Dr Sultan commented: "Thank you for this wonderful event, the festival is the building block and the first step towards producing great films. I hope that this festival will be the beginning of future works. I wish all of our children the best of luck with love and appreciation for everyone”
HH Sheikha Jawaher added: "Within the same minute a child can go from crying to laughing, from anger to forgiveness. We see them as weak and fragile, but there’s nothing on earth more powerful than a child. Since they have not yet learned what is impossible, to them everything is possible. Unlike adults, children have not yet lost their innocence or their unquenchable thirst for knowledge. Through this festival, we can learn a lot from them; not only about children, but also about ourselves, because these films are a mirror that enables us to see our society, other societies and cultures from thought provoking new angles.”
The festival features 78 films from 32 countries, spanning short movies, animations, silent movies and feature films.
FUNN’s Assistant Manager and SICFF Director Jawaher Abdulla Al Qassimi elaborated: "SICFF is about entertainment, education and empowerment. It’s a celebration of diversity in our multicultural world, in an environment of mutual respect. Our Ministry of Education has generously enabled students from all over the UAE to attend this unforgettable cultural fiesta.”
Dr Naif Al-Mutawa, founder of Tashkeel Media Group and creator of The 99, the first Islamic archetype comic superheroes, was enthused: "Children are natural storytellers whose vivid imaginations can turn an underprivileged life into an epic fantasy.”
Freej creator, Mohammed Saeed Harib added: "Sharjah can stand proud and tall in the global cinema industry after hosting a ground-breaking festival that is the first in the region.”
Dubai Abulhoul, the youngest Emirati filmmaker said: "We learn best through entertainment, and SICFF is ‘edutainment’ where the brightest rising stars make their mark on the world and prove that the sky is no limit.”
SICFF Director Jawaher Abdulla Al Qassimi promised that: "Next year’s festival will feature more competitions, more celebrities and more surprises.”
Contacts
Alsayegh Media on behalf of Sharjah International Children’s film Festival
Jumana Tarabulsi, +971-55-854-9539
jumana.tarabulsi@alsayeghmedia.com
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