The Sharjah Film Platform (SFP) Short Film Production Grant is an annual award from the Sharjah Art Foundation that helps filmmakers complete short films pushing contemporary and experimental cinema. A total of AED 120,000 (about USD 30,000) is split across the selected projects, with each filmmaker’s share set by what their production actually needs. Only unfinished works qualify — the grant pays to finish a film, not to screen a completed one.
Selected projects are also considered for a premiere at a future edition of SFP, the Foundation’s annual festival of independent cinema held at the open-air Mirage City Cinema in Sharjah’s historic quarter. This record covers the ninth edition (SFP9); the call runs on a yearly cycle.
Benefits & funding
- Share of a total AED 120,000 (≈ USD 30,000) pool, sized to each project’s production budget.
- Funds production and post-production: filming, editing, music, licensing, translation and subtitling.
- Consideration for a premiere at a future Sharjah Film Platform edition.
Eligibility
- Open to filmmakers of all ages, backgrounds and regions — no nationality, age or residency bar.
- Only unfinished short films (50 minutes or less, including credits) qualify; completed films must go to a different SFP open call.
- Scripts must be written in English or Arabic; finished films need both Arabic and English subtitles.
- One application per director.
Can you apply?
Open to all applicants
No nationality, residency, education, or experience limits are listed.
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Application process
- 1Complete the online application form on the Sharjah Art Foundation open-call page.
- 2Submit a three-minute recorded video pitch (hosted on Vimeo or YouTube), the original script, a budget plan and a production schedule.
- 3Applications are judged on overall film vision, script originality and creative or technical skill.
- 4Missing any required material means automatic disqualification.
Program timeline
SFP9 open call opens
Apr 20, 2026
Application deadline (11:59 pm UAE time, GMT+4)
May 28, 2026
After selection
production and post-production of funded films; premiere considered at a future SFP edition