Sharjah, 20 December 2020: Sharjah Media City (Shams) held an award ceremony for the Emirati filmmaker and writer, Abdullah Al Kaabi, for his film "Camel Tears”, which won him the Pitching Forum award at the third Sharjah Film Platform. Al Kaabi was honored at Shams’ headquarters in the presence of H.E Sheikha Hoor Bint Sultan Al Qasimi, President and Director of Sharjah Art Foundation, H.E. Dr Khalid Omar Al Midfa, Chairman of Sharjah Media City (Shams), H.E. Sheikha Nawar Bint Ahmed Al Qasimi, Vice President of Sharjah Art Foundation, and H.E. Shihab Al Hammadi, Director of Sharjah Media City (Shams).

Abdullah Al Kaabi won the award as part of the third edition of the Sharjah Film Platform, which Shams supported as film industry partner. Shams revealed that Camel Tears, Al Kaabi’s screenplay, will be produced during the upcoming year.

‘I would like to thank our Industry Partner, Sharjah Media City (Shams), and H.E. Dr. Khalid Al Midfa, Chairman of Shams, for joining us in advancing the work of filmmakers in our community through Sharjah Film Platform’s new industry-specific programme, Industry Hub, of which the Pitching Forum is a part. It is a pleasure to work alongside them to develop local and regional filmmaking, to which the Foundation has been committed since its establishment over a decade ago,’ said Hoor Al Qasimi, President and Director of Sharjah Art Foundation. ‘I would also like to congratulate Abdulla Al Kaabi on receiving the inaugural Pitching Forum Prize for his remarkable script titled “Camel Tears”. The Pitching Forum, which features a coaching component for selected writers of feature-length scripts and a fund endowment for the recipient, offers filmmakers an opportunity to bring their films to life. We are delighted to support the production of Al Kaabi’s film through this important initiative and to see its production take place in Sharjah in the near future. We also look forward to continuing to encourage film production in the UAE, in the region and around the world through future editions of our annual Sharjah Film Platform, its accompanying professional initiatives and our year-round film programme.’

For his part, H.E. Dr. Khalid Omar Al Midfa, Chairman of Sharjah Media City (Shams), thanked Sheikha Hoor Bint Sultan Al Qasimi for her presence at Shams’ headquarters to honor the winner, as well as Sharjah Art Foundation for working hard to elevate the country’s cinematic scene.

Al Midfa said, “We are proud to take part in such initiative in partnership with Sharjah Art Foundation. It is important for Shams to continue these strategic relationships with the Foundation, to continue providing opportunities for the youth of the nation to nurture their creative talents and skills. This falls very much in line with our vision to contribute to the artistic ecosystem of the emirate of Sharjah and embrace emerging talent.”

‘The Pitching Forum provides locally based scriptwriters with a unique opportunity to receive critical feedback and guidance on a completed script, pitch it to a panel of expert judges and potentially win an endowment to support the production of their film,’ said Nawar Al Qasimi, Vice President of Sharjah Art Foundation. ‘Nurturing the work of artists in the UAE and the region is central to our mission at the Foundation and has been a pleasure to partner with Shams on this year’s Sharjah Film Platform Industry Hub and Pitching Forum, which aim to further that mission.’ 

Emirati filmmaker and writer, Abdullah Al Kaabi, expressed his happiness at receiving the award, and the unlimited support from Sharjah Media City (Shams) and Sharjah Art Foundation.

He said, “This is what we have become accustomed to from the Emirate of Sharjah, the emirate that supports Emirati art and artists.  I am very happy with this initiative that aims to develop the film industry within the emirate. Receiving this award and support is a great responsibility and I hope that I will live up to the responsibility in honoring Emirati cinema.”