The Sharjah Film Platform Feature Fund is offering one UAE-based scriptwriter, director or lead/executive producer the opportunity to receive a grant of up to 500,000 AED. Formerly the Pitching Forum, the strengthened fund now provides more comprehensive and robust support to filmmakers in the country. The SFP Feature Fund will support the completion of an English- or Arabic-language feature-length narrative film currently under production. 

Shortlisted from a wider pool of applicants, five finalists will be invited to attend a closed, in-person meeting in 2025 to present their project to an industry jury. Guidelines for the meeting can be found below. After the pitch, one winning project will be selected to receive funding.

Eligibility criteria

Please read the following information carefully before applying as incomplete or ineligible submissions will not be considered:

• You must be a scriptwriter, film director or lead/executive producer who currently resides in the United Arab Emirates. As the primary applicant, you are responsible for submitting all required materials. 

• The film must be a feature-length narrative film in either English or Arabic that is currently in some stage of production. The final film must be at least 50 minutes in duration—shot in the UAE or internationally. 

• Submitted projects must include a minimum of 15 minutes of recorded film rushes (unedited scenes from shooting), a partial or completed pilot, or a rough cut of the film to be considered. 

• You must submit a detailed production budget and indicate the specific costs for which you will use the funding. The Feature Fund can support up to 500,000 AED, depending on your budget needs. 

• The film director must have at least one previous director’s credit, which must be demonstrated by submitting a web link or movie file for a completed film. The film can be either a short or feature. No trailers will be accepted. 

Pitch in 2025

• The five shortlisted applicants must present their projects in-person to an industry jury in 2025. The exact dates will be announced at a later date. In this pitch, each applicant will have 20 minutes to present the project, either as an individual or in a group, followed by a 10-minute Q&A session.

• If the applicant would like someone associated with the project, who is outside the UAE, to fly in and pitch to the jury, that is permitted, but costs must be borne independently. It is up to each applicant to decide how many people will come together for the pitch with the jury. 

Submission checklist

All of the materials below can be submitted in either English or Arabic:

• Application form (download here)

• At least 15 minutes of rushes, pilots or rough-cuts (streaming or download link should be included in the application form)

• Complete English or Arabic feature film script (at least 50 pages)

• Director’s statement (creative vision for the project, minimum 300 words)

• Producer’s statement (vision for the film and intended audience, minimum 300 words) 

• Detailed production schedule

• Complete film budget (with breakdown of how SFP funding will be used)

Application

To apply, please send an email with your submission materials to pitchingforum@sharjahart.org no later than 11:59 pm (UAE time), 28 February 2025.

For more information or enquiries, please contact us at the email address above.