The Sharjah Art Foundation has announced the winners of the inaugural edition of the Long-Form Film Support Fund within the Sharjah Films platform. The grant of 500,000 AED is equally distributed between two directors: Ann Marie Jaser for her film "Palestine 36," and Mohammed Waleed Ali for his film "Colorful Candy."

"Palestine 36," which was officially nominated to represent Palestine at the Oscars this year, tells the story of young Youssef amid the political upheavals in the streets of Jerusalem and Jaffa, and the Smile during a revolution against colonial rule in 1936. It is one of Jaser's most significant projects to date, featuring actors Hiam Abbas, Saleh Bkrei, Yasmine Elmasri, and Jeremy Irons. The film will premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 5, 2025.

The feature film "Colorful Candy" is the debut work of Mohammed Waleed Ali, who is currently in production. It explores the story of two siblings living in a remote village in Kashmir during the winter of 1995, embarking on a journey near Eid al-Fitr to taste the colorful candies they have heard about in tales. The film is filled with laughter and wonder, offering a tender narrative about patience, poverty, and the resilience and agility of children amidst the conflict of the 1990s.

The jury committee included: Soheil Dahdal (award-winning director and media professor at the American University of Sharjah), Soha Araf (award-winning director and screenplay consultant), Talal Afeefi (founder of Sudan Film Factory and director of the Sudan International Film Festival), and Nawar Al Qasimi (Director of Sharjah Art Foundation).

The committee unanimously decided to allocate the grant equally between the two films, recognizing their pressing and impactful stories that promise to leave a lasting mark on Arab, Asian, and global cinema. Both films stand out for their importance, urgency, and the provocative artistic visions of their directors.

In their statement, the committee noted: "We believe supporting Ann Marie Jaser's film (Palestine 36) is essential, as it revives buried memories and restores narrative rights to their rightful owners, especially in an era of censorship and propaganda against the Palestinian people. As for the feature-length film (Colorful Candy) by director Mohammed Waleed Ali, it tells a moving story of children's hope and joy amid conflict, resonating globally thanks to its stunning visuals and poetic cinematography that reflect the director's sensitivity, passion, and genuine love for cinema. We have full confidence in his exceptional talent and his ability to deliver a powerful and expressive cinematic work."

About the Directors
Ann Marie Jaser
Ann Marie Jaser lives and works in Palestine, having written, directed, and produced over 16 films. Her films have premiered at Cannes, Berlin, Venice, Locarno, Rotterdam, and Toronto, with all three of her feature films officially nominated to represent Palestine at the Oscars. Her short film "As If Ten Impossible" (2003) was the first Arab short film selected at Cannes and reached the final shortlist for the Oscars. Jaser is a member of the Asia Pacific Screen Academy, AMPAS, and BAFTA. In 2024, Toronto International Film Festival hosted a comprehensive showcase of her work, and she received the Black Star Luminary award the same year.

Mohammed Waleed Ali
Born in Syria, Mohammed Waleed Ali studied Media at Damascus University, then pursued directing and screenwriting at the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute in India and the Busan Asian Film School in South Korea. His narrative and documentary films explore themes of childhood, war, displacement, and memory. He is the first Arab director to shoot a feature film in India and a short narrative film in South Korea. His works have received 14 international awards and have been screened at over 100 festivals.

About Sharjah Films Platform
Sharjah Films is an annual festival dedicated to independent cinema and experimental filmmaking, offering audiences the chance to explore new approaches to cinema and art. The platform spans ten days, showcasing a selection of regional and international films, panel discussions with directors and industry professionals, workshops, and interactive sessions, primarily held at the open-air Cinema Saraq Al Madina in the historic district of Sharjah.

Organized by the Sharjah Art Foundation, the platform highlights the latest cinematic achievements of filmmakers and artists worldwide, distinguished regional classics, and experimental films that challenge the definition of cinematic practice today.

About Sharjah Art Foundation
Sharjah Art Foundation attracts a wide range of contemporary artworks and cultural programs aimed at activating the artistic movement within the local community in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, and the region. It seeks to stimulate creative energies, produce diverse visual arts rooted in research, experimentation, and originality, and foster dialogue across cultural and civilizational identities, reflecting the richness and diversity of the local environment.