When the 12th edition of the Sharjah International Film Festival for Children and Youth rolls out its green carpet on Oct. 6, it won’t be chasing star power or celebrity glitz. Instead, under the leadership of Sheikha Jawaher bint Abdullah Al Qasimi , the festival has built a reputation as a platform with “a heart and purpose,” driven by education, cultural exchange, and a commitment to amplifying young voices.

Launched in 2012 at the behest of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, wife of the Ruler of Sharjah, the festival began as the first event in the Gulf dedicated exclusively to children’s cinema. The director recalls, “People were not so aware that there were different types of children’s films. There are documentaries, there are shorts, different kinds of animati

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