Sharjah Award for Artistic Criticism reveals 16th edition theme
This announcement took place during a meeting held by the General Secretariat at the Sharjah Department of Culture. The session aimed to finalise the theme and open the award's submission process to writers, critics, and those passionate about artistic criticism, adhering to the award's conditions and regulations.
Significance of the
a
ward
Mohammad Ibrahim Al Qaseer, Director of Cultural Affairs Department at the Department of Culture in Sharjah and Secretary-General of the award, highlighted the importance of the award in supporting Arab visual arts. Since its founding in 2008, the award has been instrumental in shaping Arab art criticism, reinforcing the visual concept through compelling topics, and supporting Arab critics.
Impact on the Arab Arts Community
Al Qaseer pointed out that the award has carved out an important place in the Arab library through its efforts in documentation, publishing, and distribution across the region. Over 65 research papers from various Arab countries have been shared, featuring both winning works and those recognised by the jury for publication. These contributions help establish a broad platform for art criticism in the Arab world.
Focus on Arab heritage
This year's theme, which centres on the rich and diverse field of Arab heritage, reflects a long-standing fascination with cultural heritage among Arab artists. The heritage, full of artistic depth and beauty, continues to inspire their works. Al Qaseer stressed that the theme offers critics a wide research scope, encouraging exploration of narratives surrounding humanity, place, and time throughout Arab history.
A unique award in the Arab world
The Sharjah Award for Artistic Criticism Research stands out in the Arab world as the only award to address such vital artistic themes. It highlights the work of Arab writers, critics, and academics, renewing its focus with visual language while keeping up with developments in the fine arts, thereby playing a crucial role in the evolving arts landscape.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Broadcast Pro
19 hours ago
- Broadcast Pro
Red Sea Fund 2025 invites submissions for fourth cycle
The deadline for submissions is August 21, 2024. The Red Sea Fund, an initiative of the Red Sea Film Foundation, has opened applications for its fourth 2025 cycle, inviting filmmakers from Saudi Arabia, the Arab world, Africa and Asia to apply for post-production grants. The deadline for submissions is August 21. This funding round is dedicated to projects that have completed filming and are entering the post-production stage, covering essential processes such as editing, colour grading, sound design, mixing and other technical elements required to finalise a film for festival screenings or distribution. Since its launch in 2021, the Red Sea Fund has backed more than 280 film projects, many of which have gone on to win critical acclaim and prestigious awards at major international festivals. Eligible projects must be feature-length fiction, documentary, or animation films with a minimum runtime of 60 minutes. The director must be of African, Asian or Arab nationality or origin, and applicants must submit a complete rough cut of the film, at least 60 minutes long, via a private online viewing link. Non-English dialogue must be subtitled in English. Applications must also include a range of mandatory materials, such as a logline, synopsis, chain of titles, final script or treatment, full budget breakdown, financial plan, post-production spending plan, project timelines, director/producer biographies, a mood board and a release and distribution strategy. Only complete online applications submitted according to the form's requirements will be reviewed. Applicants will be notified of the Red Sea Fund Committee's decision approximately ten weeks after the closing date. The committee's decision is final and will not be accompanied by feedback. Selected projects will receive an official letter outlining the amount of financial support and next steps. Successful applicants must confirm acceptance within the specified time and sign a post-production funding agreement within four weeks of acceptance.
Sharjah 24
2 days ago
- Sharjah 24
SBA lays groundwork for SAC 2026 with strategic visit to Japan
This trip is part of SBA's long-term strategy to build upon the reputation of Sharjah Animation Conference (SAC) in being a globally recognised platform that fosters year-round collaboration, knowledge transfer, and the growth of the animation industry across the MENA region . Since its inception in 2023, SAC has quickly grown into an important event in the MENA region's animation calendar. Far beyond an annual conference, SAC is part of SBA's broader vision to create a sustainable, year-round platform for creative exchange, offering both regional talent and international industry leaders a space for collaboration and development. This visit to Japan marks a key step in strengthening SAC's future, with a focus on knowledge transfer and forging partnerships that will enrich the creative ecosystem in Sharjah . Long-term cultural and creative exchanges During the trip, the delegation, comprising Khoula Al Mujaini, SAC Executive Director; Pietro Pinetti, Artistic Director of SBA; and Moza Al Rand, Head of Events at Sharjah Book Authority; held strategic meetings with some of Japan's most influential animation companies; including industry heavy-weights such as Nippon Animation, Oh Production and Toei Animation. Extending their outreach to the publishing sector, the delegation also engaged with leading Japanese manga and book publishers Kodansha and Shogakukan, as well as media conglomerates and entertainment groups, including Kadokawa Corporation and Bandai Namco . Importantly, the meetings laid the groundwork for collaboration in preparation for the SAC 2026, where industry professionals from around the world will gather to explore business and investment opportunities in the animation sector. The discussions also focused on developing new content that resonates with Arab audiences while preserving the cultural heritage and storytelling traditions of Japan. These potential collaborations aim to bring Japanese animation expertise to Sharjah, elevating the conference and creating long-term cultural and creative exchanges . Khoula Al Mujaini commented on the trip's significance, stating: 'This visit to Japan is a critical part of our long-term commitment to SAC. We are building something far beyond an event; our vision is to create a sustainable, vibrant ecosystem for animation in Sharjah and the wider Arab region. By connecting with global leaders in animation, technology, and education, we are bringing world-class expertise to Sharjah and ensuring that SAC continues to evolve as a platform for creative collaboration, cultural exchange, and knowledge transfer .' Discussions with creative tech leaders The delegation also met with AlphaCode, a leader in creative tech, to explore the integration of digital storytelling formats, gamification, and immersive media into SAC's future offerings. These innovations will allow SAC to expand its scope, offering audiences an interactive and evolving experience that blends traditional animation with cutting-edge technology . ' Sharjah's position as a strategic gateway for international creative industries has become increasingly evident in the past decade. With its strong infrastructure, cultural commitment, and growing influence in the MENA region, our emirate offers Japanese media and creative companies an ideal gateway for entering or expanding in the Arab world, and SAC forms a key component of this effort, positioning the city as a vital player in the global creative sector', Al Mujaini added . A significant aspect of the visit was also the exploration of educational partnerships, and the delegation engaged with Wacom, a global leader in digital drawing and animation tools, and a key sponsor of SAC's annual gathering. Discussing potential training programmes, workshops, and talent development initiatives; this potential collaborative expansion is designed to directly benefit Sharjah's young creatives, giving them access to world-class resources and expertise, while empowering them to contribute to the future of the global animation industry .
Broadcast Pro
2 days ago
- Broadcast Pro
Cinema Akil to host special screening of ‘The Third Rahbani'
The documentary sheds light on the life, career, and legacy of Lebanese composer Elias Rahbani, the youngest of the famed Rahbani brothers. Cinema Akil will present a special release in memory of the late Ziad Rahbani (1956–2025) with the screening of The Third Rahbani, a documentary directed by Feyrouz Serhal. The film explores the life, career and legacy of Lebanese composer Elias Rahbani (1938–2021), the youngest of the iconic Rahbani brothers, celebrated for their profound influence on Lebanese and Arab music. Drawing from personal archives and exclusive interviews, The Third Rahbani traces Elias Rahbani's artistic journey, detailing his rise in the regional music scene and the unique path he forged apart from his famous brothers, Assi and Mansour, who gained global acclaim for their collaborations with Fairuz. The documentary highlights his innovative compositions, prolific collaborations with leading artists, and his diverse contributions to film scores, advertising music and partisan anthems. The film also reflects on the numerous awards and honours Rahbani received over his decades-long career, illustrating how his artistry became a landmark in Arab music. Following a successful 2024 screening, Cinema Akil is bringing the documentary back by popular demand as a tribute to the Rahbani family. The special release will feature six screenings only, running from August 15 to August 21. The opening night will include a Q&A session with director Feyrouz Serhal, joined by Myrna Ayad.
