By Essie Assibu
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Courtesy of SIFF “Learning how to make a film is one thing, but getting that film produced and seen by an audience is a completely different challenge,” Sharjah Intl. Film Festival for Children and Youth director Sheikha Jawaher bint Abdullah Al Qasimi tells Variety. “This is where many talented young filmmakers struggle, particularly when they don’t have access to producers, funding or the right industry contacts.”
As SIFF heads into its 13th edition, running Oct. 26-Oct. 31, the festival is putting greater emphasis on trying to close that gap. This year, that includes an Industry Hub and the return of its Film Pitching Session, launched in 2025, to connect emerging filmmakers with potential funders and industry partners. The initiative doubles in size this year, with six projects selected, up from three in the inaugural edition. A new Festival Ambassadors Program, meanwhile, brings former Junior Jurors back to the festival.
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