FUNN, the Sharjah-based organisation dedicated to promoting media arts among youth in the UAE, recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Sharjah Media Centre (SMC) to support media coverage for the 3rd edition of the Sharjah International Children’s Film Festival, which is scheduled to run from October 18th to 23rd, and to facilitate the work of journalists in charge of covering the activities of the six-day event.

Sheikha Jawaher bint Abdullah Al Qasimi, Director of FUNN, Director of Sharjah International Children’s Film Festival, and Osama Samra, Director of Sharjah Media Centre, signed the MoU on behalf of their respective organisations during the signing ceremony which took place at SMC’s Al Majaz Amphitheatre in the presence of a number of directors and employees from both organisations.

Sheikha Jawaher bint Abdullah Al Qasimi stressed the importance of media coverage for the Sharjah International Children’s Film Festival, as it is an international art and culture event which aims to foster the talents and creativity of young filmmakers, promote their films at local, regional and international festivals, and encourage them to develop their art and media skills.

She added, “Audio, visual and print media, as well as social networking websites, help broadcast the festival’s activities all over the world, thus increasing the festival’s reach and popularity and attracting a wider audience to take part in its activities. We are looking forward to encouraging filmmakers to produce high-quality films focusing on children’s issues in the Arab region and beyond and to cater to their interests.”

Sheikha Jawaher Al Qasimi highly appreciated the efforts exerted by SMC in highlighting the emirate of Sharjah and promoting the activities, exhibitions and events being held across the emirate. She added that the MoU will contribute to increasing media attention to the festival and will help in allocating larger spaces for the festival’s coverage reports in various local, regional and international media.

Osama Samra said that the MoU signed with FUNN falls within the framework of the agreements signed by the centre as part of the intergovernmental integration policy. He added that the MoU provides for media partnership and extending support, as well as strategic assistance to one of the most important events in the emirate. “Under the patronage of the wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs, the Sharjah International Children’s Film Festival paves the way for a new era in children’s cinema in the Middle East,” he said.

Samra further stated that SMC, based on the visions of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, is committed to improving the media capabilities and efficiency required to present this event and to keeping up with Sharjah’s excellent international reputation in terms of youth empowerment.

He noted that SMC, in its capacity as a strategic media partner for the festival this year, will facilitate the transmission of information and outstanding film productions through various media and social networking websites, building a network for talents, journalists and filmmakers which will support the establishment of successful children’s movies in the region.

According to the MoU, SMC will set up a fully equipped media centre at Al Jawaher Reception and Convention Centre and will invite a number of journalists specialised in art, literature and cinema from outside the UAE to cover the festival.

The SMC will also invite and host directors of international children’s film festivals and filmmakers from abroad to attend the festival. The centre will support social networking websites by posting news about the festival’s activities in SMC’s sites on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

Sharjah International Children's Film Festival is a project run by FUNN under the generous patronage of the wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs. The festival, which is the first of its kind in the UAE and the Middle East, strives to call attention to the talents and creativity of young people, present their film productions to the public, and give them a chance to witness the best of Arab and international cinema.