Latest news with #Dami
Sharjah 24
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Sharjah 24
SAC: Middle Eastern stories transcend borders via animation
'Bringing Middle Eastern Stories to Global Audiences' brought together industry leaders to dissect the challenges and triumphs of exporting regional narratives worldwide, and Mr. Said was joined by Allegra Dami, CEO, and Ilaria Mazzonis, an Executive Producer at Mobo Digital. The visionary ecosystem of Sharjah Highlighting Sharjah's role as a cultural hub guided by the vision and support of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah; Tamer Said noted the emirate has championed Arabic literature and storytelling through various initiatives and organisations under the umbrella of the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), who are also the organisers of SAC 2025. 'We support creators across all media, from books to animation, ensuring our stories are rooted in our language and heritage,' Said emphasised. Through participation in international book fairs and other platforms that champion translation, Sharjah has increased its global footprint. Translating stories into reality Dami, whose parent company sold over 20 million children's books to 70 nations globally, shared insights into its foray into animation. 'Animation translates stories into reality,' she noted, stressing the synergy between storytelling, visual artistry, sound design and music. The concept of 'glocal' (global + local) storytelling emerged as a cornerstone in their approach. 'Authenticity shouldn't be diluted when you go global; universal themes are embedded in every culture. We layer these onto our local narratives to create something both familiar and unique'. Dami also highlighted that collaboration is extremely important when adapting stories to film, saying 'the more connections we have in the world; across industries in media and publishing; the stronger we are all together.' Honouring the source Ilaria Mazzonis, an Executive Producer who is also spearheading Dami's preschool animation series set for 2026, spoke on the nuances of adapting literature for screens. Drawing parallels to Disney's adaptations of classics like Pinocchio and Alice in Wonderland, she critiqued the erasure of original authorship, saying, 'Many viewers don't realise these stories existed long before Disney. When adapting, we must credit the source and involve cultural custodians to avoid misrepresentation.' For Middle Eastern projects, Mazzonis stressed 'cultural sensitivity and seriality'; ensuring stories sustain engagement across episodes while respecting regional nuances. 'Books offer introspection; animation guides audiences visually. Balancing these requires collaboration with local authors and experts, especially when stories lie outside our own culture.'
Sharjah 24
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Sharjah 24
Elisabetta Dami shares stories and values at SCRF
Elisabetta Dami's interaction with her young fans brought a touch of nostalgia for some and wide-eyed wonder for many, as the prolific author—whose books have sold over 180 million copies worldwide—read aloud from one of Geronimo's latest adventures with Geronimo and her sister Thea Stilton dancing in front of an amused audience. Speaking to young readers about the values at the heart of her beloved character, Dami shared one simple principle she believes every child should live by: respect. 'If there's one secret to becoming a true hero—like Geronimo—it's this: respect everybody. 'Respect your teachers, your parents, your friends. That's where real courage and kindness begin,' she said. The 67-year-old from Milan then went on to praise UAE as 'a beautiful country where books bring people together,' calling the Sharjah Children's Reading Festival 'a magical place where stories come alive and children become the stars.' A global voice in a local setting For 20 years, Geronimo Stilton has transported children into a world of cheese-chasing adventures and heartwarming lessons about kindness, resilience, and imagination. But for Dami, it's not just about entertaining kids—it's about empowering them. 'Children are the heroes of today, not just tomorrow,' she said during an informal Q&A session. 'They are brave, creative, and full of surprises. We need to listen to their voices and encourage their imaginations.' During a one-on-one interaction with her young fans, the author – who as an adventure lover got her aircraft pilot and parachutist licenses at 20 before travelling around the world on her own and running the 100-km Sahara ultramarathon and New York Marathon thrice – also shared personal anecdotes about how Geronimo – the mild-mannered mouse who finds himself in wildly unexpected situations – was inspired by her own love of storytelling and desire to uplift children facing challenges. The festival is hosting 133 guests from 70 countries and will stage more than 50 cultural sessions featuring a distinguished group of international writers and illustrators, in addition to 85 theatre and roaming performances. For more information, visit .
