Atlas of the Universe Takes Top Prize at Sharjah Children's Film Festival
Paul Negoescu's film won best feature as the 13th edition closed, with Thai title Gohan taking the festival's first Audience Award.
The 13th Sharjah Intl. Film Festival for Children and Youth closed on Sunday, November 1, 2026, awarding its best feature prize to Paul Negoescu's "Atlas of the Universe," according to Variety.
Celia Catunda's "My Grandfather Is a Nihonjin" won best animated feature, while "The Path of Memory, Between the Lands of Jasmine and Basil" took best documentary. "Oug" was named best Arabic short and "Little Big Dreams" best international short.
The Thai feature "Gohan" received the festival's inaugural Audience Award. "The Monster" won best child and youth-made film, "Raeda" best student-made short, "Fellow" best student short animation and "The Great Dreamscape" best animation short. "Marjooj" earned a special mention.
This year's edition screened 71 films from 38 countries, chosen from 1,802 submissions from 72 countries. Italy served as Country of Honor, and Khalid Al Mahmoud's "The Mangrove House" opened the festival with its world premiere.
SIFF also doubled its pitching platform in its second year, selecting six projects. In 2025, the platform's inaugural edition selected three projects, and Al Mahmoud pitched "The Mangrove House" there seeking post-production support before FANN backed the film.
Quick answers
Who won best feature film at the 2026 Sharjah Intl. Film Festival for Children and Youth?
Paul Negoescu's "Atlas of the Universe" won best feature film.
Which film won the inaugural Audience Award?
The Thai feature "Gohan" won the festival's first Audience Award.
How many films were screened at the 2026 edition?
The festival screened 71 films from 38 countries, selected from 1,802 submissions from 72 countries.