Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi and Jawaher Al Qasimi attend the first Global Children and Youth Film Congress
His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, and Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah and Chairperson of the Sharjah Family and Community Affairs Authority, attended this morning (Wednesday) the sessions of the first edition of the Global Children and Youth Film Congress held as part of the Sharjah International Film Festival for Children and Youth at House of Wisdom.
Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi extended her appreciation to the participants, speakers, and organisers of the festival and congress, highlighting that its main session tackled a deeply significant topic, “the Palestinian cause”, which has always been, and will remain, close to the hearts of the UAE and especially Sharjah. She affirmed that generations have been raised with an enduring love for Palestine, a bond that no one can ever uproot.
Her Highness added that some people are using modern platforms to spread misleading messages and distort the truth, attempting to influence young minds. She affirmed that such attempts and excuses will never mislead a wise, rational, and faithful person from knowing the true picture of Palestine and its people.
She also spoke about the role of Arabs toward the Palestinian cause, stressing the importance of speaking the truth, expressing opinions freely, and delivering the real image of what is happening in Palestine. Her Highness said that the people of Palestine are our family, brothers, children, and friends, and it is our duty to stand with them.
Her Highness sent a message to those working in the country’s media sector, urging them to remain advocates of truth, as they are today, and to use social media platforms to convey accurate, meaningful messages that strengthen Palestine’s place in people’s hearts and minds. She also called for stricter monitoring of the content reaching children to protect them from ideas that contradict Islam, customs, and traditions. She urged future generations to stand in solidarity with their Palestinian brothers and sisters.
Her Highness emphasized the need to confront any platform that corrupts the morals of children and youth by promoting destructive behaviors through films and electronic games, which lead to negative effects on society and its progress. She called on the Emirati community to act as guardians protecting children from such harmful ideologies.
The opening ceremony began with a short film showcasing highlights from the 12th edition of the festival, featuring 74 selected films chosen from 1,740 submissions representing 26 countries, alongside the participation of renowned filmmakers and media professionals from around the world.
Following that, Sheikha Jawaher bint Abdullah Al Qasimi, Director General of Rubu’ Qarn Foundation for Creating Leaders and Innovators, and Director of the Sharjah International Film Festival for Children and Youth, delivered a speech. She noted that Sharjah has always believed that children and youth are its greatest wealth, the leaders and creators of tomorrow. Based on this belief, the festival was established through the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, and with the support of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Family and Community Affairs Authority. The festival has since become a unique model in the cultural landscape, part of Sharjah’s broader cultural project that extends beyond the Arab world to the international stage, with one of its main pillars being the empowerment and education of future generations.
She continued: “We continue the journey of the Sharjah International Film Festival for Children and Youth, which began in 2013 and has since established itself as a platform nurturing our promising children and youth, inspiring innovation and creativity. The festival has proven to be more than just a showcase for films; it is a school of life, a bridge between enjoyment, knowledge, and noble values. Over the years, it has attracted more than 234,000 visitors and screened over 12,000 films from 95 countries, including more than 250 films created by children and youth themselves. Today, the festival continues its mission of building creative generations who value culture and express their identity to the world through its programs, initiatives, and strategic partnerships. The Global Children & Youth Film Congress is a new step in this journey, a platform bringing together filmmakers and experts to exchange ideas and envision the future of cinema.”
Speaking about the congress’s goals and themes, she said: “We are discussing three main themes: amplifying the voices of Palestinian children through cinema; the role and impact of children and youth in filmmaking and shaping its future; and the role of festivals in shaping the future of Arab and global cinema. These discussions aim to exchange experiences and open a global dialogue about cinema’s role in building awareness among generations and fostering a more humane future. Through these efforts, we reaffirm our commitment to empowering the new generation of creators and strengthening Sharjah’s position as a beacon that inspires and nurtures talent.”
Their Highnesses attended a panel discussion titled “Amplifying the Voices of Palestinian Children Through Cinema”, featuring Sheikha Jawaher bint Abdullah Al Qasimi, Ferdous Bulbulia, Director of the Nelson Mandela Film Festival, and Mohammed Keblawi, Founder and CEO of the Malmö Arab Film Festival.
Sheikha Jawaher bint Abdullah Al Qasimi spoke about the festival’s role in transforming children from passive viewers into storytellers through workshops and interactive sessions, providing them with the latest tools and techniques in areas such as sound design, lighting, and directing. She emphasised that children’s voices carry power, and their stories are a form of testimony.
She also affirmed that Palestinian children have the right to tell their stories and share their words; they are not merely narrating events but documenting history and preserving the memory and pain of their homeland. She stressed that the festival seeks to be a platform to bring the voices of Palestinian children to the world through film, calling on everyone to listen, respect, and stand with them under all circumstances.
Ferdous Bulbulia highlighted the important role of the Sharjah International Film Festival in developing children’s and youth’s skills, sharing her own challenges as a filmmaker at the start of her career. She underscored the importance of portraying authentic images of events around the world, including what Palestinian children endure, through films that connect with audiences emotionally and intellectually.
She urged filmmakers to focus on the depth of their stories, especially when addressing challenges and struggles, noting that “talking is easy, but applying it in reality is the real test.” She explained that in South Africa, children’s involvement in filmmaking was once limited, but today there is growing awareness of its importance and impact.
Mohammed Keblawi, Founder and CEO of the Malmö Arab Film Festival, expressed solidarity with all humanitarian causes worldwide, emphasising that Palestinian cinema has always been a part of the Malmö Festival, which has screened 32 films from Palestine, capturing the realities of life there. He affirmed that cinema conveys what news bulletins often cannot.
He called on writers and directors to show that Palestinian children live, dream, aspire, and to build bridges between global audiences and the Palestinian cause to ensure the message is clear. He concluded by noting that many film festivals receive support from international funds, which should be utilised to advance and develop the global film industry.
Their Highnesses also attended the second session titled “The Role and Impact of Children and Youth in Filmmaking and Shaping Its Future”. His Excellency Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Hamed, Chairman of the National Media Office and the UAE Media Council, spoke about children’s cinema and the leadership’s support for the industry. He explained that governments are attracting major production companies to strengthen the film sector, though one of the biggest challenges remains unifying all stakeholders under one umbrella, given the fragmented entities and the high costs involved, which require patience to yield results.
He discussed the importance of engaging youth in the film sector, noting that cinema is primarily an economic industry. With artificial intelligence now reducing costs and boosting film production, he reflected on classic animated shows like Adnan wa Lina (Future Boy Conan) that left a lasting mark, calling on filmmakers to study their success and apply similar principles to modern content.
He also revealed that new government strategies will give priority to local films in cinemas, as part of ongoing efforts to support Emirati productions, which he described as among the strongest in the region.
Sheikh Abdullah praised the Sharjah International Film Festival for Children and Youth for its workshops and discussions that strengthen filmmaking skills and commended Sharjah’s consistent focus on positive outcomes and tangible community benefits from every event. He urged everyone to align with the leadership’s vision, avoid misinformation, and rely only on official sources for news.
The Global Children and Youth Films Congress stands as a unique regional platform highlighting cinema’s role in shaping young minds across the Arab world. It gathers filmmakers and experts to exchange ideas and explore challenges and opportunities in children’s and youth cinema, promote purposeful storytelling, and support emerging talent. The congress reflects Sharjah’s leading role in championing the film and media sectors, positioning it as a cultural and artistic hub that inspires creativity and empowers the next generation of Arab talent.
The opening was attended by Sheikh Fahim bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Department of Government Relations; Sheikha Jawaher bint Abdullah Al Qasimi, Director General of Rubu’ Qarn Foundation and Director of the Sharjah International Film Festival for Children and Youth; Sheikha Hind bint Majid Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Business Women Council; His Excellency Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Hamed, Chairman of the National Media Office and the UAE Media Council; along with senior officials, representatives of participating entities, film industry professionals, and guests of honor.
