A shopping mistake and a conversation with a grandfather become starting points for two stories in the 2026 Sharjah International Film Festival for Children and Youth programme.
Atlas of the Universe and My Grandfather Is a Nihonjin both follow ten-year-old boys as they begin to understand more about themselves. The festival’s official descriptions offer a way to explore the films through questions children may recognise from their own lives.
Atlas of the Universe: learning to handle a mistake
Directed by Paul Negoescu, this 85-minute Romanian-language feature follows Filip on a trip to buy school shoes. After buying two shoes for the same foot, he sets out to put things right and befriends a stray dog along the way.
The festival’s film page describes a story about responsibility and growing independence. Its premise opens up a simple family conversation: what helps a child feel ready to solve a problem on their own?
My Grandfather Is a Nihonjin: asking about family history
In Celia Catunda’s 84-minute Brazilian animated feature, Noboru asks his grandfather Hideo about their Japanese family roots. As Hideo begins sharing his past, Noboru learns about relatives and memories he had not known.
The official synopsis centres on identity and belonging. That gives families another starting point for discussion: which stories from older relatives would you like to hear?
Explore the stories after the festival
The programme lists these screenings for 30 and 31 October. You can still read the linked film pages to learn about the directors and stories. The two premises show how everyday questions can become the heart of a film, from fixing a mistake to understanding where your family comes from.
