SAC: Middle Eastern stories transcend borders via animation
The visionary ecosystem of Sharjah
Highlighting Sharjah's role as a cultural hub guided by the vision and support of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah; Tamer Said noted the emirate has championed Arabic literature and storytelling through various initiatives and organisations under the umbrella of the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), who are also the organisers of SAC 2025.
'We support creators across all media, from books to animation, ensuring our stories are rooted in our language and heritage,' Said emphasised. Through participation in international book fairs and other platforms that champion translation, Sharjah has increased its global footprint.
Translating stories into reality
Dami, whose parent company sold over 20 million children's books to 70 nations globally, shared insights into its foray into animation. 'Animation translates stories into reality,' she noted, stressing the synergy between storytelling, visual artistry, sound design and music.
The concept of 'glocal' (global + local) storytelling emerged as a cornerstone in their approach. 'Authenticity shouldn't be diluted when you go global; universal themes are embedded in every culture. We layer these onto our local narratives to create something both familiar and unique'. Dami also highlighted that collaboration is extremely important when adapting stories to film, saying 'the more connections we have in the world; across industries in media and publishing; the stronger we are all together.'
Honouring the source
Ilaria Mazzonis, an Executive Producer who is also spearheading Dami's preschool animation series set for 2026, spoke on the nuances of adapting literature for screens. Drawing parallels to Disney's adaptations of classics like Pinocchio and Alice in Wonderland, she critiqued the erasure of original authorship, saying, 'Many viewers don't realise these stories existed long before Disney. When adapting, we must credit the source and involve cultural custodians to avoid misrepresentation.'
For Middle Eastern projects, Mazzonis stressed 'cultural sensitivity and seriality'; ensuring stories sustain engagement across episodes while respecting regional nuances. 'Books offer introspection; animation guides audiences visually. Balancing these requires collaboration with local authors and experts, especially when stories lie outside our own culture.'
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