Kids’ film fest spreads message of love, fun
Rome wasn’t built in a day and nor will the UAE film industry be. So I would say that you need three ‘Ps’ to succeed in this business; passion, patience and perseverance.” Ali Mustafa, director, City of Life
I would say that if you have a passion for acting, don’t give up. You won’t get every role you audition for. I didn’t give up and that’s why I’m here in beautiful Sharjah today.” Jacob Tremblay, Canadian child actor
sharjah — The fifth Sharjah International Children’s Film Festival (SCIFF 2017) kicked off on Sunday evening with the participation of an unprecedented 124 films from 31 countries.
The six-day cinematic extravaganza was inaugurated by Shaikha Hoor Al Qasimi, president and director of the Sharjah Art Foundation, at the Jawaher Reception and Convention Centre.
Besides film screenings, the event organised by FUNN Sharjah Media Arts for Youth and Children, SICFF 2017, features workshops, seminars, and appearances by celebrated industry professionals.
”What gave me the passion for cinema was a film of a young girl playing. I realised that her body movement was the language of beauty and nature.
“We need this language to achieve peace all over the world and that is what the SCIFF is trying to achieve under the directives of His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah. To meet this goal we established a committee of 19 members, including film experts, critics, and children, to select the right films to screen during the festival – films that will deliver a message of love and creativity,” said Sheikha Jawaher bint Abdullah Al Qasimi, director of FUNN and SICFF.
Acting prodigy Jacob Tremblay, whose outstanding performance in Room (2015) earned numerous accolades, was among the chief guests at the opening ceremony of the six-day festival. “My first big role was in Smurfs 2 when I was five years old. One thing I have learned as a child actor is that you need support from parents as they are the ones that have to take you to castings.
“Acting is hard work. I would say that if you have a passion for acting, don’t give up. You won’t get every role you audition for. I didn’t give up and that’s why I’m here in beautiful Sharjah today,” the Canadian child artiste said.
Also at the opening of SICFF 2017 were two luminaries of the UAE’s homegrown cinema scene — Ali Mustafa, considered one of the founders of the UAE film industry, who directed the first Emirati feature film City of Life; and Ayman Jamal, who produced
Bilal, the first CG-animated film in the Middle East.
“Many times over the years I’ve been asked what advice I would give my younger self and my answer is always the same — patience.
“Rome wasn’t built in a day and nor will the UAE film industry be. You must be patient and you must persevere. “My first feature film as a director took four years. I thought the second would be much easier – it wasn’t, it also took four years! So I would say that you need three ‘Ps’ to succeed in this business; passion, patience and perseverance,” said Mustafa, the BritishEmirati filmmaker and producer.
Jamal said: “Filmmakers now have a greater responsibility than ever towards kids and this is something that will only increase over the coming years.”