SHARJAH: The Organising Committee of the Sharjah International Children’s Film Festival (SICFF) has announced the jury members of the fifth edition of the festival. The committee appointed 19 jurors who will evaluate and assess the submitted entries in the seven categories: Best Short GCC Film, Best Student Film, Best International Short Film, Best Animation Film, Best Documentary Film, Best Feature Film and Best Child-Made Film.

The judging panel comprises a host of Arab and foreign artists, directors and journalists, and experts on all types of arts from inside and outside the UAE. The jurors are characterised by having a diverse expertise, which will enhance the process of evaluating the nominations.

The entries will be subject to a number of criteria, such as the message, objectives, standards used for implementation, innovation and creativity, presentation, techniques, organisation, among others.

Sheikha Jawaher Bint Abdullah Al Qasimi, Director of FUNN and SICFF, said: “The jury includes a host of experienced members in the field of arts and media, who will nurture and enrich the festival’s fifth edition. The winners will be the most professional and innovative entries with artistic and technical excellence and a positive attitude reflecting the values we all strive to uphold. These, once again, will elevate the status of the festival on a global platform.”

The jurors include Ibrahim Al Hsawi, Marie Al Halyan, Mohammed Hassan Ahmed, Ahmed Al Jassmi, Sultan Al Niyadi, Abdullah Al Kaabi, Abdullah Saleh, Dr Habib Ghuloom, Abdulla Al Sharhan, Nujoom Alghanem, Ola Al Fares, Bassam Mohammed Al-Thawadi, Dr Khaled Ameen, Nayla Al Khaja, Ayman Jamal, Anika Noni Rose, Firdoze Bulbulia, Mohammed Saeed Harib, and Ali Mostafa.

FUNN aims to nurture a future generation of creative artists in the media and film industries by promoting new media works and films made by children and young filmmakers in the UAE.

Its larger goal is to foster talent through participation at international film festivals and conferences and to form a close-knit network of talented young people who can share experiences and expertise on a global scale.