Sharjah Film Platform 2026 to Screen 26 Films From Around the World
Sharjah Film Platform’s ninth edition runs from 30 October to 8 November 2026, presenting 26 international films, filmmaker discussions, emerging talent initiatives and a special programme celebrating director Abderrahmane Sissako.
Dubai, 22 Oct 2026: Sharjah Film Platform returns for its ninth edition from 30 October to 8 November 2026, presenting 26 international films from emerging filmmakers and established directors. Organised by Sharjah Art Foundation, the 10-day festival will bring cinema enthusiasts, students and filmmakers together for screenings, discussions and professional development opportunities.
The festival opens with Letters (2025), an anthology of 17 short films by Josef Khallouf reflecting on Lebanon’s recent history. Other highlights include More Punk Than Punk (2025) by Azeem Rajulawalla, Alia & Meera (2026) by Hind Saeed Al Basti, and Ru Ba Ru (Face to Face) (2025) by Kapil Tanwar. The festival closes with Larissa Sansour’s An Incomplete Drowning (2026), which explores the relationship between objects and history.
Two short films supported by the Sharjah Film Platform Short Film Production Grant will also premiere. Asim Abdulaziz’s I Broke a Vase and Fatima Wardy’s White Musk explore personal histories, family relationships and emotional challenges.
The Director in Focus programme celebrates filmmaker Abderrahmane Sissako, known for his poetic exploration of exile and memory across Africa. Audiences can watch acclaimed works including Timbuktu (2014), Bamako (2006) and Black Tea (2024). A masterclass with Sissako will precede the screening of Timbuktu, offering insights into his filmmaking career spanning more than 30 years.
The festival’s Competition section features documentary and fiction films eligible for awards in four categories: Documentary Feature, Documentary Short, Fiction Feature and Fiction Short. Selected films will receive their UAE premieres, with some screenings followed by director Q&A sessions.
The First Takes initiative also returns for its second year, supporting student filmmakers from universities across the UAE through screenings, pitching workshops, feedback sessions and networking opportunities.
SFP9 will take place at Mirage City Cinema in Sharjah’s historical quarter and VOX Cinemas at City Centre Al Zahia.
