Funding

Grant

Program dates

TBA

Fellowship•Remote

Sharjah Film Platform Short Film Production Grant

Sharjah Art Foundation

Application Deadline

Closed · May 28, 2026

Reopens ~May 2027

Official Page

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.

We only check the criteria we have data for. Always confirm full eligibility on the official page before applying.

Application process

  1. 1
    Complete the online application form on the Sharjah Art Foundation open-call page.
  2. 2
    Submit a three-minute recorded video pitch (hosted on Vimeo or YouTube), the original script, a budget plan and a production schedule.
  3. 3
    Applications are judged on overall film vision, script originality and creative or technical skill.
  4. 4
    Missing any required material means automatic disqualification.

Program timeline

  1. SFP9 open call opens

    Apr 20, 2026

  2. Application deadline (11:59 pm UAE time, GMT+4)

    May 28, 2026

  3. After selection

    production and post-production of funded films; premiere considered at a future SFP edition