Cinema lovers heading to the UAE this autumn have a bargain on their hands. Sharjah Film Platform returns for its ninth edition from October 30 to November 8, and an early bird pass costing just Dhs40 gets you into as many screenings as you can fit into ten days.
The deal runs until October 7, 2026, and comes with a couple of sweeteners. Pass holders receive exclusive festival merchandise, and anyone who attends seven screenings earns a Dhs500 voucher to spend at the Sharjah Art Foundation shop. The voucher only activates once you've hit that seven-film mark, so it's worth planning your schedule if you want the reward.
Most screenings happen at Mirage City Cinema, the Sharjah Art Foundation's open-air theatre in Sharjah's historical quarter — a far more atmospheric setting than your average multiplex. A handful of films also screen at other cinemas around the emirate.
This year's programme spans 30 feature and short films, mixing award-winners with UAE premieres. The Director in Focus is Mauritanian filmmaker Abderrahmane Sissako, one of African cinema's most respected voices. Alongside a retrospective that includes Bamako (2006), there's a masterclass where he discusses his career and craft.
Other titles worth flagging: Larissa Sansour and Søren Lind's An Incomplete Drowning (2026), Ashtar Muallem's Land of Denied Rituals (2025), and two films backed by the foundation's Short Film Production Grant — I Broke a Vase (2025) by Asim Abdulaziz and White Musk (2025) by Fatima Wardy.
One practical note: entry for under-18s depends on the individual film's rating, so check before bringing younger viewers.
For travellers, this is a good excuse to give Sharjah a proper look. It's often overshadowed by Dubai next door, but the emirate has a strong arts scene anchored by the Sharjah Art Foundation, plus a beautifully restored heritage area around the festival venue. Pair a day or two of films with the souqs, museums and creek-side cafés, and you've got a culture-heavy city break at a very reasonable price. Just remember to buy the pass before October 7 if you want the Dhs40 rate.
