Sharjah Ruler issues Emiri Decree establishing ‘FANN’

SHARJAH, 5th December, 2022 (WAM) — H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, issued has Emiri Decree No. (66) of 2022 regarding the establishment of FANN-Media Discovery Platform.

The decree stipulates the establishment of a cultural institution in Sharjah called “FANN-Media Discovery Platform”, with the entity to have a legal personality and total capacity to take necessary legal actions in pursuing its goals, and it has financial, administrative, and technical independence.

FANN is affiliated with the Executive Office of the Wife of the Ruler of Sharjah, Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, and works under his supervision. Its main headquarters is located Sharjah, and is permissible by the entity’s president to establish branches or offices in Sharjah’s regions and overseas.

According to the decree, the institution aims to achieve the following:
1. Serving as a platform to encourage media art among children and youth in the country.
2. Finding new opportunities in media art for children and youth.
3. Providing knowledge, culture, and media skills to children and youth in the UAE.
4. Developing capabilities and encouraging new media work and works produced by children and youth in the country.
5. Educating the children and youth about motion pictures and introducing them to various cultures and traditions through motion pictures.
6. Enhancing the local filmmakers’ role and motivating them to produce films suitable for children and young adults in the country.
7. Achieving sustainable development in media art among children and youth.
8. Contribute to building creativity and innovative identity for children and youth.

In order to achieve FANN’s objectives, the decree stipulates that the institution’s jurisdiction will include:
1. Constructing the general policy, setting the strategic plans for the institution, and presenting them to the president to decide what he/she deems appropriate.
2. Proposing legislation and regulations related to the institution’s work and presenting them to the president to decide what he or she deems appropriate.
3. Holding theoretical and practical workshops using local and international expertise in media arts.
4. Building a communication network of talented local and international youth and expertise.
5. Signing agreements and forming partnerships with similar institutions and other institutions locally and globally.
6. Holding and managing the Sharjah International Film Festival.
7. Sharing the works and films produced by children and youth locally and internationally.
8. Producing shows and films targeting children and youth.
9. Seeking the assistance of the competent authorities in Sharjah to obtain administrative and technical support, and seek the assistance of experts and consultants in everything related to its work. In addition, it may cooperate with other entities that fall within its objectives and competencies.
10. Any other competencies consistent with the institution’s objectives and directed by the president.

As per the decree, Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi will assume the presidency of FANN-Media Discovery Platform.

The chairperson, Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, is in charge of appointing the director, who would be managing the institute, assisted by a sufficient number of employees. The director will have authority over the following:
1. Proposing the institution’s general policy and programmes and supervise their implementation.
2. Developing strategic plans that ensure the institution’s work development and presenting them to the president for approval.
3. Supervising the institution’s workflow in accordance with the legislation and regulations in force, issuing administrative decisions and circulars and following up on their implementation.
4. Coordinating with the president in all administrative and financial affairs of the institution and general policies and when making strategic decisions for the institution.
5. Issuing the financial and administrative regulations of the institution and any amendments thereto and setting the internal work systems therein after being approved by the president.
6. Representing the institution in local, regional, and international conferences and summits.
7. Opening and managing financial and commercial bank accounts after the president’s approval.
8. Forming permanent and temporary committees and work teams defining their work system.
9. Preparing the annual budget and final accounts of the institution and presenting them to the president for approval.
10. Representing the institution in concluding contracts and agreements and signing memorandums of understanding and partnerships after being approved by the president.
11. Proposing the institution’s organizational structure and present it to the president for approval.
12. Representing the institution before the judiciary, government, and private agencies, and in his or her relations with others.
13. Any other duties or powers assigned to him/her by the president.