FUNN to unveil details of Third SICFF

FUNN, the Sharjah-based foundation dedicated to promoting media arts for and among children and youth in the UAE, will hold a press conference at the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and industry on Monday, October 12th, to reveal the details of the 3rd edition of the Sharjah International Children's Film Festival (SICFF).

The 2015 SICFF will take place at Al Jawaher Reception and Convention Centre and Novo Cinemas at Sahara Centre from October 18th to 23rd, under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, and Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs,
This year’s edition will see a number of unique changes and developments to enrich the local cinema scene and provide it with young creative talents.
There will also be outdoor promotional screenings at Al Qasba and Al Majaz waterfront from October 8th-22nd.

Sheikha Jawaher bint Abdullah Al Qasimi, Director of FUNN and Director of SICFF, will be the key speaker at the press conference, which will be held in the presence of Nermin Mansour, Director of Corporate Social Responsibility at Crescent Enterprises, the Gold Sponsor of the festival, and Emirati filmmaker Manal Bin Amro and Emirati filmmaker and producer Abdullah Hassan Ahmed , a member of the SICFF jury, as well as media representatives.

In her remarks a few days prior to the press conference, Sheikha Jawaher bint Abdullah Al Qasimi said: "This year's edition of SICFF will see unique additions, in terms of the topics and quality of participating films, broadening the geographical range of film screenings and SICFF’s parallel events, including workshops and activites.”

"We are keen on introducing new initiatives and events, in form and content, to make each edition of the festival bigger and better, in keeping with our commitment to continuously working hard to develop and boost the skills of young talent and encourage professional moviemakers working in the children's film industry across the UAE and the region to produce high quality films that serve children’s issues and interests,  thus contributing to making this festival one of the world's top children's movie event,” the SICFF Director added.

Nermin Mansour, Director of Corporate Social Responsibility at Crescent Enterprises, the Gold Sponsor of the festival, said: “Our sponsorship of the festival comes within the framework of our ongoing commitment to social responsibility by supporting local initiatives and events that contribute to strengthening the position of the Emirate of Sharjah on the map of regional and global culture, in order to convey its cultural and humanitarian message to the entire world.”

Last year, the festival saw the participation of 112 films from 35 countries spanning Latin America, Europe, Africa and the Far East, while the film screenings saw a huge turnout by children, in the first of its kind initiative in the region, contributing to enhancing the awareness of both adults and children about the filmmaking industry.