From magical worlds filled with extraordinary creatures to heartwarming stories about friendship, family and discovering where we belong, children’s films have a wonderful way of bringing some of life’s most meaningful lessons to audiences through imaginative storytelling. And while we have certainly seen some incredible animated and live-action family adventures this year, there are still plenty of stories waiting to be discovered from around the world.
Something that the Sharjah International Film Festival for Children and Youth is preparing to celebrate with its newest lineup!
Returning for its 13th edition, the annual festival will bring an exciting collection of international children’s and family films to the United Arab Emirates, with screenings taking place October 26 through 31.
Among the highlights is Monster Mia, an Austrian-German animated feature directed by Verena Fels that follows a 12-year-old girl who finds herself attending a rather unusual school. One that just so happens to be filled with monsters! The film will make its Middle East premiere during the festival, introducing young audiences to an imaginative adventure set in a world quite different from their own.
And for families who enjoy stories featuring our four-legged friends, there are two additional films to look forward to.
The Thai drama Gohan follows a stray dog whose journey takes him through the lives of three different owners over more than a decade, while the Italian feature Forever With You follows two friends who venture deep into the woods while searching for a missing dog, only to find themselves facing unexpected danger.
Animation enthusiasts will also have an opportunity to discover My Grandfather Is a Nihonjin, a Brazilian animated feature directed by Celia Catunda, alongside Tales From the Magic Garden, an international stop-motion production. Both films previously appeared at the 2025 Annecy International Animation Film Festival and will now have another opportunity to connect with audiences through Sharjah’s celebration of children’s cinema.
But the festival isn’t simply about watching movies. It’s also about inspiring the next generation of storytellers.
Throughout the event, children and young filmmakers will have opportunities to explore the creative process through workshops dedicated to stop-motion animation, flipbooks, cinematography and storytelling. The festival will also spotlight films created by children and young people themselves, giving aspiring filmmakers a chance to share their own ideas and creativity.
Altogether, this year’s festival will feature 71 films representing 38 countries, offering families an opportunity to discover stories, cultures and characters they may not ordinarily encounter.
The Sharjah International Film Festival for Children and Youth opens October 25, with screenings running October 26 through 31 and a closing ceremony scheduled for November 1.