Sharjah International Film Festival for Children and Youth Returns for 13th Edition with Italy as Country of Honour
03 Sept 2026
SIFF 2026 will run from 25 October to 1 November across City Centre Al Zahia and House of Wisdom, bringing eight days of international cinema, young creativity and cultural exchange to Sharjah.
The Sharjah International Film Festival for Children and Youth (SIFF) will return for its 13th edition from 25 October to 1 November 2026, with Italy named as Country of Honour.
Organised by FANN, the festival will take place across City Centre Al Zahia and House of Wisdom in Sharjah. Over eight days, SIFF 2026 will bring together international and Arab films, interactive experiences, filmmakers and young audiences, continuing its long-running focus on cinema created for and by younger generations.
This year’s edition will also deepen cultural exchange between the UAE, Italy and the wider international filmmaking community by highlighting Italy’s cinematic heritage and storytelling traditions.
Italy Takes Centre Stage
Italy’s role as Country of Honour will be one of the defining elements of SIFF 2026.
The festival will give children and young audiences the opportunity to explore Italian cinema and culture through film, while creating space for exchange between young viewers, filmmakers and creative communities.
Italy has played a major role in the development of world cinema across generations, from neorealism and auteur filmmaking to animation, family storytelling and contemporary independent film. SIFF’s decision to place Italy at the centre of this year’s programme adds an international cultural dimension to an event already built around learning and discovery.
Cinema as a Way to See the World Differently
SIFF has consistently positioned film as more than entertainment.
The festival uses cinema as a way to introduce younger audiences to new ideas, cultures and experiences, while encouraging them to tell stories of their own.
Sheikha Jawaher bint Abdullah Al Qasimi, Director of SIFF, said the festival’s mission is closely connected to Sharjah’s wider commitment to children and youth.
She said cinema allows young people to “see the world through different eyes”, helping them discover new cultures and perspectives while encouraging creative thinking and self-expression.
As SIFF prepares for its 13th edition, she added that the festival aims to remain a space where young audiences can “discover, question, imagine and be inspired”.
Building a Cultural Space for Young Audiences
The 2026 edition will transform City Centre Al Zahia and House of Wisdom into a meeting point for cinema, culture and young creativity.
That approach reflects the wider role cultural institutions can play in helping children engage with complex ideas in an accessible way. Film can introduce young audiences to other countries, social realities and ways of thinking while also giving them the confidence to participate in creative industries themselves.
For Sharjah, SIFF also forms part of a broader cultural strategy that places education, creativity and access to the arts at the centre of youth development.
More Than a Decade of Youth-Focused Cinema
SIFF has now spent more than a decade creating a platform for films made for children and young people, while also giving emerging talent opportunities to connect with filmmakers and global audiences.
The festival’s programming combines cinema with interactive experiences, workshops and wider cultural activities. This allows young participants to engage with storytelling not only as viewers, but also as potential filmmakers, writers and creators.
The 2026 edition will continue that model while expanding its international focus through Italy’s participation as Country of Honour.
Sharjah Strengthens Its Position as a Cultural Destination
SIFF also contributes to Sharjah’s growing position as a regional centre for arts, culture and education.
The emirate has developed a wide network of museums, libraries, festivals and creative institutions, with a strong emphasis on access for families and younger audiences.
Hosting SIFF across City Centre Al Zahia and House of Wisdom brings the festival into both public and cultural spaces, widening access while keeping cinema connected to everyday community life.
More Programme Details to Follow
The full SIFF 2026 programme has not yet been announced.
Further details covering the film line-up, international guests, workshops, activities and special programming are expected in the coming weeks.
With Italy taking centre stage and eight days of programming planned, the 13th edition is set to continue SIFF’s role as a space where cinema becomes a tool for curiosity, cultural exchange and creative development.
About SIFF
The Sharjah International Film Festival for Children and Youth is organised by FANN and focuses on cinema for and by younger generations.
The festival brings together films, filmmakers, workshops, cultural exchange and creative learning, with the aim of helping children and young people engage with storytelling, discover new perspectives and develop their own creative voices.
