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Sharjah 24
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Sharjah 24
SAC 2025 draws its final frame after 4 days of insight
SAC 2025 also celebrated creative excellence with a $20,000 awards program, where Ahmed Bin Rakkad Al Ameri, CEO of SBA; and Pietro Pinetti, the Artistic Director of SAC; presented the 'Book Trailer Award', honoring outstanding efforts in literary visual storytelling; and the 'Pitch the Project Award', for culturally inspired children's animation concepts. The ceremony also recognised leading figures and influencers in animation, including a special lifetime achievement award to the late Masami Suda, with his wife, Chuda Suda, accepting the award on his behalf. As the renowned creator and character designer behind iconic works like 'Dragon Ball'; the award honoured his artistic legacy that inspired generations of fans worldwide. Additionally, the Sharjah Animation Conference Ambassador award was presented to the international animator Sandro Cleuzo, who has advanced the conference's vision and expanded its regional and global impact. The conference's success was enhanced with collaboration from key partners, including Du as official Telecommunication Partner; SAE Institute as Educational Partner; and Technical Partners, Toon Boom, Wacom, and HP; all providing expertise and technology to elevate the 4-day event. Together as one creative community Khoula Al Mujaini, Executive Director of SAC, underscored the conference's expansive impact, crediting its success to the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah; and the guidance of Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of SBA. 'SAC has become a true growing platform; a space where publishers, artists, industry leaders, and broadcasters meet, collaborate, and convert ideas into reality,' Al Mujaini remarked. 'We'll continue to connect through online and offline meetups throughout the year because we believe in building bridges, not just events. In learning, in sharing knowledge, in staying together as one creative community.' Al Mujaini also emphasised that the rapid pace of technological innovation in animation requires content creators to remain continuously responsive to new developments. She described the conference as a vital platform that connects aspiring animators with industry leaders, fostering an environment of learning, experimentation and meaningful international collaboration. The future of animation SAC 2025's agenda offered a forward-looking lens into the digital future of animation and hosted more than 35 specialised workshops and 29 roundtables and panel discussions covering illustration, animation, scripting, as well as digital technologies and AI. Key figures in character design and production unveiled the secrets behind iconic scenes and shared advanced techniques for character animation. The programme also explored global examples of adapting literary works into animated television and cinema productions, providing unparalleled learning opportunities. Connecting the global industry, the 4-day conference created a dynamic platform for content creators to exchange insights and build professional connections, with the conversations addressing key institutional challenges, including the need for stronger local production infrastructure and strategies to enhance global collaboration in content distribution and broadcasting. Notably, women played a prominent role in the discourse, with leading female creators and industry leaders sharing powerful reflections on the projects that have made a mark on the global stage. SAC Awards 2025 amplifies creative voices The closing ceremony celebrated creativity and cultural heritage with its Book Trailer Award and Pitch the Project Award, distributing a $20,000 prize pool to honor outstanding talent. The Book Trailer Award, recognising visionary adaptations of literature into promotional videos, crowned Ahmed Arnaouty as its first-place winner, followed by Aishwarya Carriappa and Zainab Jebur for their visual interpretation of the book 'Dooq Dooq' by Shereen Sabbagh. Meanwhile, the Pitch the Project Award, which challenged creators to design animated series rooted in regional traditions for young audiences, awarded top honors to Mohammed Jandali, Abdalla Almunajad received second place, and Eslam Aboshady secured third place for their culturally rich storytelling proposals. The awards underscores SAC's commitment to nurturing talent that bridges global animation trends with the Middle East's vibrant heritage, amplifying voices poised to shape the industry's future. Concerts, networking event, and screenings Elevating SAC 2025's cultural and collaborative offerings, attendees reveled in live performances from Italy's Florence Pops Orchestra with the closing ceremony concluding with a concert that blended various memorable soundtracks from animated films. The evenings of Day 1 & 3, also witnessed the orchestra deliver renditions of Disney classics like The Lion King and Frozen; and a nostalgic Studio Ghibli tribute featuring Joe Hisaishi's iconic scores from Spirited Away and My Neighbor Totoro. On the evening of Day 2, the historic Bait Alowal hosted an exclusive networking evening, uniting industry leaders and creators to forge partnerships, and across the four days, curated film screenings celebrated animation's legacy and future, spotlighting indie gems and emerging regional talent alongside beloved Oscar-winning classics.
Broadcast Pro
02-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Broadcast Pro
Sharjah Animation Conference announces call for entries for awards programme
Submissions for the Pitch the Project Award are open until April 15, while entries for the Book Trailer Award will be accepted until April 21. The Sharjah Animation Conference (SAC), a global platform for animation industry professionals and emerging creative talents, has opened submissions for its awards programme in its third edition. Organised by the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), the four-day event will take place from May 1 to 4 at Expo Center Sharjah. It invites animators and creatives worldwide to participate in two award categories: the 'Pitch the Project Award' and the 'Book Trailer Award.' With a total prize fund of $20,000, winners in each category will share a $10,000 prize pool. Beyond monetary rewards, winners will gain valuable exposure, access to industry leaders and opportunities to network with peers in the evolving animation sector. Submissions for the Pitch the Project Award are open until April 15, while the Book Trailer Award entries will be accepted until April 21. Winners will be revealed at the SAC closing ceremony on May 4. The Pitch the Project Award welcomes artists, producers and writers to develop a pitch for an animated series tailored for preschoolers or young children. Inspired by the region's cultural heritage, the competition promotes storytelling innovation in children's animation. Prizes include $5,000 for first place, $3,000 for second, and $2,000 for third place. Participants must submit a PDF pitch (max 15 slides, 20MB) featuring a title, concept, character descriptions, narrative outline, and episode breakdown. Optional materials such as sketches and mood boards may be included to enhance the submission. The Book Trailer Award recognises excellence in visual storytelling through book promotion, highlighting creative professionals who bring literature to life through engaging short videos. Inspired by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi's vision, the award reinforces Sharjah's standing as a cultural hub and a leader in the publishing industry. This year, participants must create a promotional video for 'Dooq Dooq' by Shereen Sabbagh, published by Hachette Antoine. The book explores hearing impairment, helping children understand and appreciate physical differences. The Sharjah Animation Conference serves as a global gathering for content creators, professionals and animation enthusiasts. Over four days, attendees can engage in workshops, discussions, film screenings, and exhibitions led by award-winning artists and industry experts, fostering creativity, professional growth, and collaboration within the animation industry.
Gulf Today
29-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Gulf Today
Sharjah Animation Conference announces 3rd edition awards
The Sharjah Animation Conference (SAC), a premier global gathering for animation industry specialists and leaders, as well as aspiring and emerging creative talents, has announced its call for entries for their awards programme at its upcoming third edition. Organised by the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), the four-day event, which will take place from May 1 to 4 at Expo Center Sharjah, invites talented animators and creatives from around the world to compete in the 'Pitch the Project Award' and the 'Book Trailer Award' categories. With a total prize pool of $20,000, the top three winners in each category will stand a chance to share in $10,000 respectively, and in addition to the cash prizes, winners will gain exclusive access to industry experts, and be provided a global stage to showcase their work, connect with peers, and explore new opportunities in the evolving world of animation. Submissions for the Pitch the Project Award are open until April 15, while entries for the Book Trailer Award will be accepted until April 21. The winners will be announced during the SAC closing ceremony on May 4. Pitch the Project Award The Pitch the Project Award invites artists, producers, writers, and creatives from around the world to develop a pitch for an animated series designed for preschoolers or young children. The project must draw inspiration from the region's rich culture, traditions, and heritage. The top three winners will receive cash prizes, with US$5,000 awarded to the first-place winner, 3,000 to second place, and 2,000 to third place. This award seeks to foster innovative storytelling in children's animation while promoting cultural diversity, dialogue, and mutual understanding through creative expression. Submissions must be in PDF format, limited to 15 slides, and no larger than 20 MB. The pitch should include a captivating title, a compelling concept, detailed character descriptions, a well-structured narrative, and an episode outline highlighting key plot points. Participants may also enhance their submissions with optional supporting materials such as character sketches, concept art, and mood boards to showcase the series' artistic vision. For more details, visit the official conference . The Book Trailer Award The Book Trailer Award celebrates the championing of literature through visual storytelling, recognising the artistry involved in crafting compelling promotional videos for books. This prestigious accolade honours creative professionals who skilfully capture a book's essence, igniting readers' imaginations through short, engaging trailers. Inspired by the vision of His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, the award not only elevates the importance of books on the global stage but also reinforces Sharjah's position as a cultural capital in the region, and further cementing the emirate's status as a leading force in the publishing industry. This year's challenge requires participants to create a promotional video for the book 'Dooq Dooq' by Shereen Sabbagh, and published by Hachette Antoine. Part of the 'Sakaker... Sweet Stories' series, the book explores the theme of hearing impairment, offering children a way to understand and visualise physical differences. More details on the book and award criteria are available on the official conference website: . The Sharjah Animation Conference celebrates the innovation and artistry within the animation industry, bringing together content creators, professionals, and animation enthusiasts from around the world. The 4-day conference includes workshops, talks, film screenings, and exhibitions led by award-winning artists and industry experts to encourage creativity, inspire professionalism, and serve as a central point for exchange and collaboration within the animation world.
Sharjah 24
28-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Sharjah 24
SAC announces 3rd edition awards and welcomes entries
With a total prize pool of $20,000, the top three winners in each category will stand a chance to share in $10,000 respectively, and in addition to the cash prizes, winners will gain exclusive access to industry experts, and be provided a global stage to showcase their work, connect with peers, and explore new opportunities in the evolving world of animation. Submissions for the Pitch the Project Award are open until April 15, while entries for the Book Trailer Award will be accepted until April 21. The winners will be announced during the SAC closing ceremony on May 4. Pitch the Project Award The Pitch the Project Award invites artists, producers, writers, and creatives from around the world to develop a pitch for an animated series designed for preschoolers or young children. The project must draw inspiration from the region's rich culture, traditions, and heritage. The top three winners will receive cash prizes, with US 5,000 awarded to the first-place winner, 3,000 to second place, and 2,000 to third place. This award seeks to foster innovative storytelling in children's animation while promoting cultural diversity, dialogue, and mutual understanding through creative expression. Submissions must be in PDF format, limited to 15 slides, and no larger than 20 MB. The pitch should include a captivating title, a compelling concept, detailed character descriptions, a well-structured narrative, and an episode outline highlighting key plot points. Participants may also enhance their submissions with optional supporting materials such as character sketches, concept art, and mood boards to showcase the series' artistic vision. For more details, visit the official conference website: The Book Trailer Award The Book Trailer Award celebrates the championing of literature through visual storytelling, recognising the artistry involved in crafting compelling promotional videos for books. This prestigious accolade honors creative professionals who skillfully capture a book's essence, igniting readers' imaginations through short, engaging trailers. Inspired by the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, the award not only elevates the importance of books on the global stage but also reinforces Sharjah's position as a cultural capital in the region, and further cementing the emirate's status as a leading force in the publishing industry. This year's challenge requires participants to create a promotional video for the book 'Dooq Dooq' by Shereen Sabbagh, and published by Hachette Antoine. Part of the 'Sakaker... Sweet Stories' series, the book explores the theme of hearing impairment, offering children a way to understand and visualise physical differences. More details on the book and award criteria are available on the official conference website: The Sharjah Animation Conference celebrates the innovation and artistry within the animation industry, bringing together content creators, professionals, and animation enthusiasts from around the world. The 4-day conference includes workshops, talks, film screenings, and exhibitions led by award-winning artists and industry experts to encourage creativity, inspire professionalism, and serve as a central point for exchange and collaboration within the animation world. With a total prize pool of $20,000, the top three winners in each category will stand a chance to share in $10,000 respectively, and in addition to the cash prizes, winners will gain exclusive access to industry experts, and be provided a global stage to showcase their work, connect with peers, and explore new opportunities in the evolving world of animation. Submissions for the Pitch the Project Award are open until April 15, while entries for the Book Trailer Award will be accepted until April 21. The winners will be announced during the SAC closing ceremony on May 4. Pitch the Project Award The Pitch the Project Award invites artists, producers, writers, and creatives from around the world to develop a pitch for an animated series designed for preschoolers or young children. The project must draw inspiration from the region's rich culture, traditions, and heritage. The top three winners will receive cash prizes, with US 5,000 awarded to the first-place winner, 3,000 to second place, and 2,000 to third place. This award seeks to foster innovative storytelling in children's animation while promoting cultural diversity, dialogue, and mutual understanding through creative expression. Submissions must be in PDF format, limited to 15 slides, and no larger than 20 MB. The pitch should include a captivating title, a compelling concept, detailed character descriptions, a well-structured narrative, and an episode outline highlighting key plot points. Participants may also enhance their submissions with optional supporting materials such as character sketches, concept art, and mood boards to showcase the series' artistic vision. For more details, visit the official conference website: The Book Trailer Award The Book Trailer Award celebrates the championing of literature through visual storytelling, recognising the artistry involved in crafting compelling promotional videos for books. This prestigious accolade honors creative professionals who skillfully capture a book's essence, igniting readers' imaginations through short, engaging trailers. Inspired by the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, the award not only elevates the importance of books on the global stage but also reinforces Sharjah's position as a cultural capital in the region, and further cementing the emirate's status as a leading force in the publishing industry. This year's challenge requires participants to create a promotional video for the book 'Dooq Dooq' by Shereen Sabbagh, and published by Hachette Antoine. Part of the 'Sakaker... Sweet Stories' series, the book explores the theme of hearing impairment, offering children a way to understand and visualise physical differences. More details on the book and award criteria are available on the official conference website: The Sharjah Animation Conference celebrates the innovation and artistry within the animation industry, bringing together content creators, professionals, and animation enthusiasts from around the world. The 4-day conference includes workshops, talks, film screenings, and exhibitions led by award-winning artists and industry experts to encourage creativity, inspire professionalism, and serve as a central point for exchange and collaboration within the animation world.
