Annemarie Jacir and Mohamad W. Ali Win Inaugural Sharjah Film Fund
Annemarie Jacir and Mohamad W. Ali have been honored with the first-ever Sharjah Film Platform Feature Fund by the Sharjah Art Foundation for their respective films, 'Palestine 36' (2025) and 'Colored Sweets' (expected 2026, currently in production). Each filmmaker will receive AED 500,000, with the amount divided equally. The jury commended both projects for their compelling narratives that tackle significant contemporary issues. Jacir, a Palestinian filmmaker and founder of Philistine Films, tells the story of a young man amidst the 1936 revolt against British rule in Jerusalem, Jaffa, and Al Basma. Her film is set to debut at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 5. Ali, originally from Syria and a graduate of several prestigious institutions, makes his feature debut with 'Colored Sweets', which follows two siblings in conflict-ridden Kashmir in 1995.
Key facts
- Sharjah Art Foundation awarded inaugural Sharjah Film Platform Feature Fund
- AED 500,000 prize divided equally between Annemarie Jacir and Mohamad W. Ali
- Jacir's film 'Palestine 36' (2025) premieres at Toronto International Film Festival on 5 September
- Ali's 'Colored Sweets' is under production, expected 2026
- Jacir is founder of Philistine Films, based in Palestine and Jordan
- Ali studied at Damascus University, Satyajit Ray Film & Television Institute, and Busan Asian Film Academy
- Jury statement highlighted urgency and importance of both films
- Both films address historical and contemporary political themes
Entities
Artists
- Annemarie Jacir
- Mohamad W. Ali
Institutions
- Sharjah Art Foundation
- Philistine Films
- Toronto International Film Festival
- Damascus University
- Satyajit Ray Film & Television Institute
- Busan Asian Film Academy
Locations
- Sharjah
- Palestine
- Jordan
- Jerusalem
- Jaffa
- Al Basma
- Kashmir
- Syria
- Kolkata
- Busan