The films will be screened from October 14-19, at Al Jawaher Reception & Convention Centre, Zero 6 Mall, Al Majaz Waterfront, Al Zora and Last Exit in Al Khawaneej, Dubai.
In seeking to raise understanding and awareness of the refugee crisis, the sixth edition of Sharjah International Childrens Film Festival (SICFF 2018) organised by FUNN Establishment Sharjah Media Arts for Youth and Children, has selected thirteen short films.
From October 14-19, festival audiences can watch films that seek to bridge the understanding of displacement crisis.
Several films are supported by UNHCR such as The Dream Diaries, A Young Girl Scarred by War, Nyahoks Quest, Little Omar Flies of Finland, RefuSHE Kenyas Safe house, Sudanese Refugee girl chases education dream in Egypt, Deaf Refugee boys discover new world of sound and Refugee Taekwando. Two films are supported by Lebanese Beyond Association: Potato Girls and Fatimas Journey. The film titled, Safa was supported by UNICEF and Prejudgement was supported by FUNN in collaboration with Diaa Malaeb.
The Dream Diaries is a collaborative endeavour between UNHCR, Humans of Amsterdam, and Fetching Tigers to create a space where refugees and asylum-seeking children can tell their stories.
Other entrants in the SICFF includes a story of Omar and his sister Majid who were born in Syria with a growth-hormone deficiency and neither can grow without continuous treatment, which was available for free back home. Since displacement, they havent been able to afford the treatment in Lebanon and neither have NGOs and aid organisations. The film is titled: Lebanon: Little Omar Flies to Finland, which offers some hope.
RefuSHE Kenyas Safe House is a short life-affirming documentary that follows resilient young female refugees who have the courage to strut proudly down a runway ramp in the face of their troubles. This film features Angelina Jolie, who is UNHCRs special envoy.
Joining the list of screenings, an informative titled film, Sudanese refugee girl chases education dream in Egypt, records the remarkable tale of Nousa whose ambition was to secure an education for herself and pave a future for her family. Another tale documents Mohamed and Issam, Syrian refugee brothers, who have been deaf since birth, but a viral video propelled their case to the spotlight which led to Kuwaiti Red Crescent to fund a life-changing operation. Deaf refugee boys discover a new world of sound, the aptly titled film promises.
The next film Refugee Taekwondo, documents an initiative launched by UNHCR and the World Taekwondo Federation where two Syrian sisters, Rayan and Zeinab are learning to defend themselves and build confidence in Jordans Azraq Refugee camp.
All the films will be screened at Al Jawaher Reception & Convention Centre and Zero 6 Mall, Al Majaz Waterfront, Al Zora and Last Exit in Al Khawaneej, Dubai.
