Mark your calendars for a captivating cinematic experience as the Al Sidr Environmental Film Festival returns to Abu Dhabi for its fifth edition. From Friday, October 9 to Sunday, October 11, 2026, this three-day celebration of film will take place at NYU Abu Dhabi (NYUAD), showcasing an array of environmental documentaries, fiction, animation, and short films.
Theme and Focus
This year’s festival is anchored around the theme “Mend,” a concept derived from Arabic that signifies the careful restoration of something valuable. The festival will delve into various facets of environmental restoration, encompassing the rehabilitation of habitats and species recovery, alongside key issues such as water protection and land restoration. An integral part of the festival is the exchange of environmental knowledge across generations, highlighting the significance of education in conservation efforts.
How to Get Tickets
Tickets for this enriching film festival are affordably priced, starting from Dhs16, and can be purchased through Platinumlist. With your ticket, you’ll gain access to a range of major film screenings, including the Gulf premiere of Werner Herzog’s highly acclaimed documentary, Ghost Elephants, produced by National Geographic Documentary Films and originally screened at the Venice International Film Festival.
Featured Screenings
The festival’s programme boasts an exciting line-up, featuring the Björk-narrated film Fungi: Web of Life, the restored 4K version of Manthan, and a selection of recent films that premiered at the prestigious 2026 Berlinale and Sundance Film Festivals. Another highlight for local audiences is the premiere of Conservation Diaries, a five-part documentary series produced by Connect with Nature—an initiative of the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) in partnership with Emirates Nature–WWF. This series explores conservation efforts throughout the UAE, showcasing the work of scientists, volunteers, and local custodians across the nation’s diverse ecosystems.
Meet the Filmmakers
Renowned filmmaker Sara Dosa will be present at the festival to lead a masterclass, featuring screenings of two of her notable films: the Academy Award-nominated Fire of Love, centred on the captivating story of volcanologists Katia and Maurice Krafft, and Time and Water, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2026. The festival will also showcase Chuuraa by Evgenia Arbugaeva, which made its world premiere at Berlinale Shorts 2026.
Family-Friendly Focus
The festival is committed to engaging younger audiences, offering a special family programme that includes environmental animations and discussions on critical topics such as food systems, land management, water conservation, and ecological restoration.
Engagement and Growth
Since its inception in 2020, the Al Sidr festival has welcomed over 5,000 attendees and has successfully engaged 2,000 students from more than 20 schools across Abu Dhabi. The festival is open to the public and will feature panel discussions, exhibitions, and activities centred around environmental awareness alongside the film screenings.
Event Details
When: Friday, October 9 to Sunday, October 11, 2026
Where: Blue Hall, New York University Abu Dhabi
Price: From Dhs16, get tickets here.