Film buffs rejoice
Sharjah Art Foundation is set to launch the first ever Sharjah Film Platform (SFP) this week. The festival will be an annual event, that supports film production across the UAE and the Middle East. SFP will kick off on Friday January 18 to Saturday January 26.
ALSO READ:
These five films from the region will screen at the Sundance Film Festival
Nadine Labaki is the only female director nominated in her category for a BAFTA
Sharjah Art Foundation set up the annual programme with the intent to support film production in the United Arab Emirates and the region. It also wants to provide a critical platform for both established and aspiring filmmakers.
For its debut, SFP will screen over 140 films from more than 40 countries which have been selected from an annual international open call. The short or feature length movies fall into three different categories: documentary, narrative, or experimental films. Three of the films shown at the festival will celebrate the late Egyptian director, the legendary Youssef Chahine, who passed away 10 years ago.
Aside from movie screenings, the festival will offer attendees with the opportunity to examine pertinent and pressing issues within the film industry. There will be several workshops and talks where filmmakers and film industry professionals will be able to come together, and discuss issues like: postcolonialism, nation-building, representation and new technologies. The sessions will be presented by local, regional, and international speakers.
The event will take place in venues across Sharjah, including Mirage City Cinema, Sharjah Institute for Theatrical Arts, Al Hamra Cinema and Africa Hall. General admission for the screenings is 15 AED, while tickets for 10 or more film screenings can be purchased at a discounted price. However, all talks and workshops are free and will be open to the public. You can check the full schedule on sharjahart.org
Book your tickets here!
Media: Sharjah Art Foundation
