In a veritable feast for the senses, the inaugural edition of the Sharjah Animation Conference (SAC) has come to a close, after three days that drew over 5,000 attendees from across the globe.

This event, the first of its kind in the Middle East, treated its 1,500 animation aficionados, hobbyists, and industry professionals to an authentic and inspiring smorgasbord of masterclasses, workshops, and spirited discussions helmed by the likes of Emmy, and Annie award-winning experts known for their Oscar winning productions.

Organized and curated by the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), the conference served as a dynamic platform for 150 publishers and producers in the animation industry to forge lasting connections and exchange ideas. With a rich tapestry of informative sessions and invaluable networking opportunities, the SAC has firmly established itself as a cultural touchstone for the animation community in the region and beyond.

Khoula Al Mujaini, Executive Director at Sharjah Book Authority and SAC said exclusively to Arab News Japan about the Japan: “We have managed to achieve our goal in presenting high quality visual content to the audience of SAC and helping them developing their skills, and gain valuable insights into the latest trends and techniques of the animation industry.”

“The Sharjah Book Authority has orchestrated a pioneering event that aligns seamlessly with the visionary objectives of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, and reflects the emirate’s unwavering dedication to advancing the publishing and animation sectors in the Middle East. By leveraging this landmark gathering, we aspire to pave the way for Arab creative industries, invigorating Sharjah’s unique identity and culture, spurring a wave of exceptional animated productions based on Arabic literary works. Through cultivating the next generation of Arab artists, illustrators, and content creators we aim to showcase the richness of the region’s literary traditions to global audiences while bolstering the pride of our culture within our own people.”

“Expanding on the conference’s role as a catalyst for publishers, producers, and industry specialists from around the world to form strategic partnerships and co-create animated films based on Arabic literary works, the Executive Director stated, “Building on the success of our debut event, SAC will contribute significantly to the evolution of the global animation landscape enabling meaningful content that articulates our unique identity and culture, underscoring the conference’s potential to drive transformative change in the animation industry,” she added.

For three days, conference attendees were treated to a masterclass in the art of animation, as they journeyed alongside a coterie of illustrious industry experts who regaled them with their remarkable stories of grit, perseverance, and triumph. Hailing from diverse corners of the globe, these luminaries brought decades of experience and hard-won expertise to the fore, leaving no stone unturned as they shared invaluable insights into the basics, tools, and techniques of animation production. With representatives from countries as far-flung as Japan, the UK, Italy, Brazil, and the US, this remarkable gathering was truly a melting pot of cultures and creative visions, each one united by their passion for the transformative power of animation.

SAC, which was organized in partnership with Italy’s Bergamo Animation Days (BAD) festival, delivered an unforgettable experience that celebrated the boundless potential of animation in the Middle East and beyond. With 150 dynamic meetings that linked global production companies with an array of local and regional publishers, this historic gathering paved the way for fruitful collaborations and strategic partnerships aimed at breathing new life into the animation industry in the Arab world. At the core of this endeavor was a shared commitment to transforming literary works into visually stunning films and TV series that showcase the richness and diversity of the Arab world to a global audience.

At the Sharjah Animation Conference, participants were afforded a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to rub shoulders with the luminaries of the animation world, as they soaked up the invaluable insights and experience of industry giants from across the globe.

Among the highlights of this extraordinary gathering were the sage words of John Nevarez, a renowned figure in the animation industry known for his work on Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Astro Boy, and The Emoji Movie and contributor to the Oscar-winning animated film “Coco”; Sandro Cleuzo, an Annie Award-winning 2D animator and character designer, known for such works as Mary Poppins Returns; Takahiro Yoshimatsu, widely considered one of the best anime directors in the world, most famously known for Dragon Ball Z, Overlord, Vampire Hunter D, and Hunter X Hunter; Oli Hyatt, the founder and MD of the BAFTA-winning production house, Blue Zoo; Emmy award-winner, Mario Brioschi, compositor and VFX supervisor for blockbuster hits such as Avengers: Infinity Wars, Wonder Woman and Star Trek: Beyond; and Mamoru Yokota, world-famous character designer and animation director for Death Note, and Naruto Shippuden.

Participants were also able to enjoy truly magical performances by the Florence Pops Orchestra, a talented orchestral ensemble from Italy played truly beautiful renditions of some of the most iconic songs from beloved animated films such as Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast”, “Aladdin” and Pixar Animation Studios’ “Toy Story”, sending the audience on a nostalgic journey down memory lane. However, the highlight of the concert was their performance of the enchanting score from Hayao Miyazaki’s masterpiece, “Princess Mononoke.”

The orchestra’s rendition of the epic tale of Ashitaka’s journey through the mystical forests of Japan brought the animated film to life once again, stirring emotions in the hearts of the audience. The Florence Pops Orchestra showcased their musical talent and dedication to their craft, leaving the audience in awe of their skill and passion. It was the perfect way to end the opening day of the conference, a first-of-its-kind in the region, setting the tone for three days filled with creativity, inspiration, knowledge sharing and wonder.

Attendees of the debut Sharjah Animation Conference (SAC) have heard from two Arab visionaries in the animation industry – the Emirati creator of Freej Folklore, Mohammed Saeed Hareeb, and Kamel Weiss, the General Manager of Spacetoon Go – gaining exclusive insights into their creative process, learning about how their in-depth understanding of the ever-changing needs of the industry and customer aspirations have always led these professionals to success.

Bibi Zumot, a digital creator shared his feedback about SAC 2023: “The Sharjah Animation festival has been really spectacular where I have seen amazing local and international artists showcasing their talents and people were excited to see and meeting them as well a lot of wonderful activities at the event.”

“I really think that this event is opening up an opportunity for people in terms of business and culture of the animation industry, I’m really excited for the next edition of SAC,” he added.

The SAC’s immersive workshops and bespoke courses were meticulously crafted to elevate the proficiency of more than 1,500 participants, spanning an array of creative domains. Attendees gained invaluable insights into diverse artistic elements, ranging from fundamental drawing techniques to advanced 2D and 3D animation. The event also delved into the intricacies of character design principles and techniques, from constructing characters to mastering their physical dimensions, facial expressions, and movements. Further expertise was shared on storyboarding, visual effects, and digital illustration, as well as the vital skills of crafting a compelling resume and cover letter to attract industry recruiters. The conference’s comprehensive curriculum offered an enriching educational experience to aspiring animators and professionals alike and will surely go on to do great things in the years to come.