الشارقة 24:
For the first time, cinema makes an appearance at the Sharjah International Storytelling Festival, offering visitors a unique experience that blends the charm of classic films with the festival’s cultural and heritage themes. Exhibiting an array of cinematic works primarily focused on the power of friendship, the festival has kicked off its activities, which run until the 27th of this month, featuring the participation of 120 storytellers and researchers from 30 countries.
Celebrating Heritage through Film
Upon entering the cinema hall, visitors encounter a large screen showcasing a collection of films from various eras in cinema history, immersing them in the nostalgic atmosphere of classic movies. This initiative not only allows audiences to enjoy timeless pieces often unfamiliar to younger generations but also includes children’s films, thereby catering to diverse audiences.
This cinematic experience forms part of the festival’s broad array of activities, extending beyond traditional storytelling and folk tales to encompass entertaining and cultural experiences like film screenings.
Older films attract particular interest from some attendees, who appreciate their artistic significance and relate them to crucial moments in cinema history. Meanwhile, these screenings provide younger audiences with insights into filmmaking techniques and cinema presentations from past decades.
A New Dimension of Entertainment
The cinema hall offers guests a chance to relax and enjoy a film during their visit to the festival, adding an entertaining dimension to the event and aligning with the diverse spaces and activities that target various age groups.
By featuring cinema for the first time, the festival provides visitors with a simple yet novel opportunity to reconnect with the legacy of the seventh art, introducing a vibrant element to the Sharjah International Storytelling Festival.
Dr Abdulaziz Muslim, Chairman of the Sharjah Institute for Heritage and head of the festival’s organising committee, highlighted that the inclusion of cinema aligns seamlessly with this year’s festival theme, “Tales of Friendship”. He noted that friendship, by its nature, encompasses stories, memories, and human experiences, and that cinema can powerfully transform these narratives into images and scenes that resonate with diverse audiences.
The significance of this cinematic experience is underscored by its status as a first for the festival, adding an artistic and visual dimension to the visitor experience. Cinema here does not merely present films; it opens a new window onto storytelling, offering a platform for stories of friendship to be expressed through images as well as words. This cinematic addition diversifies the festival’s offerings and attracts new audiences, particularly younger individuals and families, while maintaining the essence of timeless tales and their inherent human values.