Latest news with #SAC2025
Gulf Today
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Gulf Today
Sharjah spotlights global storytelling at SAC
'Translation is far more than a linguistic process, it's the exchange of culture and we're inviting the globe into our worldview,' noted Tamer Said, Director of the Sharjah Literary Agency, setting the tone for an insightful panel discussion at the 3rd edition of the Sharjah Animation Conference (SAC 2025). 'Bringing Middle Eastern Stories to Global Audiences' brought together industry leaders to dissect the challenges and triumphs of exporting regional narratives worldwide, and 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 Dr Sheikh 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. 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.
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.
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
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Sharjah 24
Habara reflects on his career in personal dialogue at SAC
At a Sharjah Animation Conference (SAC) 2025 discussion titled 'Inside the Making of the Anime Hit, Starblazers', he recalled developing a passion for anime from a young age and creating his first animated film during high school with the help of friends from other schools. The 30-minute film, consisting of 1,000 images, was completed over three years and showcased at a school arts festival. SAC 2025 organised by the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), is taking place at the Sharjah Expo Center and concludes on Sunday, alongside the 16th edition of the Sharjah Children's Reading Festival (SCRF 2025). Habara also shared how he moved to Tokyo and began working at the Ashi Studio on the 'Adventures of Hani' series, where he met his future wife. During his career, he contributed in multiple capacities, including production, character design and direction. Clips from several of his iconic works such as 'Space Adventure: Cobra', 'Machine Robo', 'Tondemi Man', and 'Mega Man' were also featured - to his fans' delight - during the session. In her segment, Kumiko reflected on her decision to take a break from animation to raise their children. After they grew up, she returned to the industry to pursue a career in animation direction. SAC 2025 has engaged, enriched and entertained students, professionals and animation enthusiasts with a comprehensive programme spanning workshops and masterclasses, panel discussions, and live performances by 74 leading industry professionals and artists from 18 nations worldwide. For more information and to register your interest for next year, visit
Sharjah 24
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Sharjah 24
Disney's Tony Bancroft reveals animated comedy secrets at SAC
Held in SAC's 'Mecha Lab', the session provided an invaluable masterclass, blending comedic precision with the timeless practice of classic animation, and drawing a diverse crowd of students, professionals, and enthusiasts eager to decode the alchemy of humor in motion. Comedy, an art and a science Bancroft, an animator and film director whose accomplished 35-year career spans Disney classics like Mulan (which he co-directed) and The Emperor's New Groove, opened the workshop with a showreel and history of his work. Noting that comedy is both an art and a science. 'Every laugh starts with a pose,' he declared, sketching a stretched and surprised scene of Pumbaa in real time. 'A character's form and traits are a punchline waiting to happen.' He demonstrated how Pumbaa's rounded, lumbering form inherently communicates warmth and clumsiness, contrasting how Iago's sharp angles and exaggerated eyebrows instil the feeling of mischief. 'Your line of action is the backbone of the joke,' he explained with a pun. Bancroft framed the animated gag as a mini-story; quite often posed in a three-part format, including the setup, problem, and punchline. Clarity of poses and timing were paramount, but contrast; shifts in speed, scale, or attitude; fueled surprise, and surprise fueled laughter. He outlined gag varieties, from the escalating tension of a running gag; like Kronk's recurring shoulder-angel bit; to callbacks that reward attentive audiences. Action gags thrived on physical absurdity; think Pumbaa's warthog charge; while freeze-frames such as Mushu's petrified grin stretched a beat for comic effect. 'A gag that builds,' he added, 'is like a snowball; start small, add twists, and let momentum deliver the payoff.' The UAE's growing animation scene Cultural connection anchored the discussion, with Bancroft applauding the UAE's growing animation scene. He highlighted how regional comedic flavors and the wit of Arabic wordplay could universalise stories. As SAC 2025 continues through May 4th, Bancroft's masterclass delivered exclusive insight into the inner workings of animation, positioning the conference as a major component for animation's future in the region. For more insights about guests and further information about the SAC 2025 agenda; featuring over 35 workshops and 16 panel discussions from global luminaries, alongside world-class concerts of your favourite animated soundtracks; visit
