Sharjah Film Festival Partners With National Media Authority to Back Young Directors

The Sharjah International Film Festival for Children and Youth has signed an agreement with the National Media Authority to support new filmmakers and build a stronger talent pipeline. Signed on Monday during the opening day of the festival's 13th edition, the memorandum of understanding makes the federal body an official supporting partner of the event.

Partnership Details

The agreement was signed by the National Media Authority and FANN – Media Discovery Platform, the Sharjah organisation that runs the festival. The partnership tackles practical hurdles faced by young creators trying to enter the industry. Festival director Sheikha Jawaher bint Abdullah Al Qasimi noted that learning how to make a film is only part of the journey.

Regulatory Support

Under the new deal, the National Media Authority will help secure permits needed to screen participating films. The authority will also coordinate with embassies, consulates, cultural bodies, and government entities when required. Festival teams will receive training on electronic services and technical support to make regulatory steps faster and easier. Representatives from the authority can now also join festival juries and film evaluations, while both groups will work together on media and communications.

Context

Established by federal decree in December 2025, the National Media Authority handles media regulation, policies, licensing, and content standards across the country. National Media Authority secretary-general Mohammed Saeed Al Shehhi stated that supporting content for children and youth is a key part of building a competitive and sustainable national media sector. The current festival runs through November 1 and features 71 films from 38 countries.