The Sharjah Art Foundation has launched the ninth cycle of its Short Film Production Grant 2026, issuing an open call for applications from filmmakers worldwide. The grant provides financial support, with a total fund of AED 120,000 (approx. USD 30,000), for the completion of short films of 50 minutes or less across all genres. Selected projects may also premiere at a future edition of the Sharjah Film Platform festival.
This initiative matters because it represents a significant institutional commitment from a major art foundation to support independent cinema and moving-image art, extending its patronage beyond traditional visual arts. By offering both funding and a prestigious international platform for premiere, the grant actively fosters innovative storytelling and provides crucial visibility and networking opportunities for emerging and established filmmakers within the global art and film festival circuit.