Six-week Sikka Platform initiative cultivated expertise in stop-motion animation and visual storytelling
The Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) has successfully concluded the Harakat Sikka training programme, an initiative aimed at enhancing participants’ skills in short-form stop-motion animation and advancing their visual storytelling capabilities. Supported by the Sikka Platform and aligned with the Dubai Quality of Life Strategy, this six-week programme underscores the Authority’s commitment to empowering emerging talent with opportunities to experiment, learn, and produce original creative projects—further cementing Dubai’s reputation as a global centre for culture, an incubator of creativity, and a thriving hub for talent.
The closing ceremony, held at Al Shindagha Museum, the UAE’s largest heritage museum, was attended by Shaima Rashed Al Suwaidi, CEO of the Arts, Design & Literature Sector at Dubai Culture; Khulood Khoory, Director of Projects and Events at Dubai Culture; and Khalil Abdulwahid, Director of the Visual Art Department at Dubai Culture. The event celebrated the achievements of the ten graduates: Afra Atiq Juma, Aisha Almarashda, Fatma Almheiri, Hessa Turki Altamimi, Nada Assar, Nadiia Zhelieznova, Nawal Ahmad Hassan, Samara Al Hennawi, Shabbir Yunus, and Zahra Shafie.
Over the course of six intensive weeks, under the guidance of director and visual storyteller Boubaker Boukhari, participants gained practical experience across all stages of the animation production process. The curriculum included hands-on workshops covering cinematic storytelling, character design, and a range of animation techniques such as cut-out, stop motion, shadow play, and mixed-media approaches. Additional training encompassed storyboarding, camera operation, sound design, and editing, along with strategies for film distribution and participation in regional and international festivals.
Commenting on the programme, Khulood Khoory said: “Harakat Sikka represents an innovative platform for discovering creative talent and nurturing new voices who can shape the future of the animation sector. It underlines Dubai Culture’s role in advancing emerging art forms, fostering collaboration among artists, and supporting the next generation of animators. The quality of the projects produced speaks volumes about the participants’ potential to add fresh perspectives to Dubai’s artistic landscape.”
Delivered in both Arabic and English, the training programme was tailored for Emirati and UAE-based students, artists, designers, writers, and filmmakers passionate about visual storytelling. It offered an inclusive and supportive learning environment that enabled participants to develop original films and refine them for wider audiences.