Sharjah Animation and Comics Conference kicks off on October 22 with participation from creators and experts from the region and the world
The Sharjah Book Authority has set October 22–25, 2026, as the dates for the fourth edition of the “Sharjah Animation and Comics Conference,” to be held in the Jada area of Sharjah. The event will expand its scope to encompass broader fields of visual storytelling, bringing together animation and comics, and opening new spaces for networking and collaboration among creators, publishers, and producers from the region and around the world.
This expansion reflects a strategic shift toward integrating interrelated fields within the visual storytelling industry under a single platform. The inclusion of comics broadens the participant base to include authors, illustrators, and publishers, alongside animators and producers, thereby creating new pathways for collaboration and project development across diverse disciplines. The conference program translates this vision into new initiatives, most notably the “Animation and Comics Market,” designed to strengthen professional relationships and partnerships among industry stakeholders.
The fourth edition will bring together a select group of creators, experts, and specialists in animation and comics from the region and globally. Its program combines knowledge-sharing content with practical experience, allowing participants to benefit from diverse professional expertise, enhance their skills and projects, and explore the latest trends and practices in these fields.
Ahmed bin Rakad Al Ameri, CEO of the Sharjah Book Authority, said: “The Arab region is rich with talents capable of creating characters, stories, and visual worlds rooted in our culture and competitive on a global scale. What these talents need is an ecosystem that connects creativity with knowledge, expertise, production, and the market. This is why the Sharjah Animation and Comics Conference is evolving; we are not merely expanding the scope of an event, but building a space that brings together all stakeholders in this industry, helping creators develop their ideas and transform them into projects capable of reaching audiences and growing.”
Al Ameri added: “Sharjah’s vision, established by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, is based on the principle that investing in culture is investing in people and their capacity for creativity and shaping the future. Under the directives of Her Highness Sheikh Dr. Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairwoman of the Sharjah Book Authority, the Authority continues to translate this vision into opportunities and pathways that support creators and the growth of cultural industries. Therefore, we aim for the conference to be more than just a showcase for talent; we want it to be an environment that helps Arab creators develop their projects, connect with experts, partners, and markets, and present their stories and identity to a global audience.”
Supporting Talents and Creators
For her part, Khawla Al Majni, Executive Director of the Sharjah Animation and Comics Conference, said: “The 2026 edition represents a new stage in the conference’s journey, reflecting a trend toward expanding opportunities available to creators across various fields of visual storytelling. With comics joining animation under a unified identity, the conference broadens the range of expertise and disciplines it brings together—from scriptwriters and illustrators to animators, publishers, and producers—creating a wider space for exchanging knowledge, developing ideas and projects, and opening new pathways for collaboration and professional growth for creators.”
Al Majni added: “Talent is the starting point, but building a career in creative industries requires knowledge, expertise, relationships, and the ability to access opportunities. Therefore, the new edition focuses on what comes after discovering talent: how creators develop their tools, present their projects, build professional networks, and connect their work with new opportunities and markets. We want every creator to find in the conference the support needed to take the next step in their career.”
The conference continues to consolidate its role as a platform for supporting talents, empowering creators, and building a sustainable creative ecosystem in the region. Through a program that combines training, showcasing, professional networking, and knowledge exchange, it offers advanced practical workshops, cartoon screenings, and panel discussions with leading global names and experts in the animation and comics industries. These efforts enhance Sharjah’s position as an active hub in the development of cultural and creative industries linked to these fields.
