SICFF depicts heart-wrenching refugee saga

As millions continue to fleecrisis in search of a better life, Sharjah International Children’s Film Festival showcased stories of refugee children told through their own perspective.The films received a dedicated screening during the festival, which runs from October 23 to 28,and presented the views and experiences of war’s youngest victims.

The 11refugee films held under the category “Films Made By Refugee Children” were the result of stop-motion animation workshops led bychildren’s animation trainer, DiaaMalaeb,at several refugee camps. The Lebanese native hasfollowed the Syrian refugee crisis closely over the years, and felt the best way to help young refugeescombat their plight was through creative expression. Sabine Choucair, a social therapist and active member of international theatre organisationsalso helped train the children to develop visually stunning narratives, and both trainers conducted regular workshops and classes to aid refugee youth express their concerns, doubts, hopes and dreams, giving them a chance to enrich their talent and pursue what they love. 

Using art as a form of therapeutic release,the children managed to capture their experiences about losing family members and homes, living through terrorist attacks, being displaced, leaving loved ones behind, moving to refugee camps, rebuilding their lives, and strugglingto 

make ends meet. An incredibly powerful segment at SICFF this year, thesepoignant films had the power to made audiencesfeel a wide range of raw emotions.

SheikhaJawaher bint Abdullah Al Qasimi, Director of FUNN and of SICFF, said, “Our main motive this year is to highlight human and children’s rights issues. In light of the worsening refugee crisis and the wave of migration of thousands of displaced persons and the tragic circumstances experienced by many refugee children, we have seen a number film entries that leave a deep, foreboding echo in this year’s audiences.”

While each film was uniquely thought-provoking, it was ‘Ahmad’ by Rama Charbaji of Lebanon that brought specific attention to life as a refugee. Similarly, ‘Best Friends Forever’, a short animation film made by a group of youngsters living in Lebanon, portraysa dedication to art amidst conflict. Finally, ‘Cicada’, by Yousef el Chemali, isanother masterpiece that reflects the every day lives ofdisplaced youth in Beirut.  

Each film narrated a tale ofloss, distress, and a sheer longing to return home. However, at the centre of these creations was a message of everlasting hope—one of which refugee children have proven they are not willing to let go.