SHARJAH, Broadcasting News Corporation : The curtains came down on the 9th Sharjah International Film Festival for Children and Youth (SIFF), held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, wife of the Ruler of Sharjah, Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs (SCFA). The 2022 edition, held under the theme “Think Film”, came to an end on Saturday after six days of fun-filled activities including hands-on workshops, educational activities, and screening of a total of 95 shorts, animations, documentaries and feature films from 43 countries. Organised by FUNN, the Sharjah-based entity that promotes media arts learning among children and youth, the 2022 edition of SIFF attracted more than 30,000 visitors including children and youth across the UAE, and actors, directors, and artists from the region and beyond. The 9th edition hosted a whopping 34 expert-led workshops facilitated by a distinguished group of directors, film-makers and cinema professionals. Competing in seven categories, winners of the 9th edition were announced at the closing ceremony and chosen from a total of 95 films from 43 countries. Commenting on the festival, Sheikha Jawaher Bint Abdullah Al Qasimi, Director of FUNN and SIFF, said, “For six days, film enthusiasts of all ages indulged in activities designed to hone their creative skills and talents in various aspects of film-making. The festival’s diverse agenda of film screenings, educational workshops and entertaining activities have collectively asserted the role of cinema and arts in forging a brighter future for the younger generations.” She added, “Although the curtains have come down on SIFF 2022, we continue our journey, which stems from the vision of H.H. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, and the unwavering support of H.H. Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Chairperson of SCFA, to enrich and enhance the capabilities of our young generations in creative arts to serve our communities better.” “I would like to extend thanks and gratitude to our partners, supporters, and participants for contributing greatly to the success of the 9th edition. We now look forward to enriching our upcoming editions with greater creativity and imagination and to bolster the role of cinema in stimulating the creative energies of children and youth and to help realise their ambitions and dreams,” Sheikha Jawaher concluded. At the closing ceremony, SIFF also honoured its partners of the 9th edition. NEWS COLLECTED FROM EMIRATES NEWS AGENCY – WAM.