The four-day SACC 2026 will bring together global creators, publishers and industry experts, with a bigger focus on visual storytelling and new opportunities for Arab talent.
Sharjah is set to welcome the global animation and comics community once again as the Sharjah Animation and Comics Conference (SACC) returns to Aljada from October 22 to 25, 2026.
Organized by the Sharjah Book Authority, the fourth edition marks an expansion of the conference, bringing animation and comics together under a broader visual storytelling platform. The new format is designed to create more opportunities for writers, illustrators, animators, publishers and producers to collaborate, develop projects and connect with international markets.
A key addition this year will be the Animation and Comics Market, which will provide a dedicated space for networking, professional connections and potential partnerships across the creative industries.
Building a global platform for Arab creators
The expanded conference reflects Sharjah’s growing focus on developing the region’s cultural and creative industries and creating pathways for Arab talent to reach international audiences.
Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, CEO of SBA, said the region has a wealth of creative talent capable of developing characters, stories and visual worlds rooted in Arab culture while competing on the global stage.
“What creators need is an ecosystem that connects creativity with expertise, production and the market,” Al Ameri said.
He added that SACC’s ambition goes beyond expanding the event itself, with the conference aiming to bring together the people and resources creators need to turn ideas into commercially viable projects.
“We want SACC to help Arab creators develop their projects, connect with expertise, partners and markets, and take their stories and cultural identity to audiences around the world,” he said.
From talent to careers
For Khoula Al Mujaini, Executive Director of SACC, the 2026 edition represents a new chapter for the conference.
By bringing comics and animation under a single identity, the event will widen its professional community and encourage greater exchange between writers, illustrators, animators, publishers and producers.
“Talent is the starting point, but building a career in the creative industries also requires knowledge, experience, professional networks and access to opportunities,” Al Mujaini said.
The programme will therefore focus not only on inspiration, but also on practical career and project development. Attendees can expect advanced workshops, animation screenings, panel discussions and sessions with international creators and industry specialists.
The conference will also explore emerging trends and practices shaping animation and comics, giving participants opportunities to strengthen their skills and understand how the industry is evolving.
A growing creative hub
SACC’s return comes as Sharjah continues to strengthen its position as a regional hub for culture and creative industries. The previous edition, held in May 2025, attracted more than 5,000 visitors and brought together over 70 international experts, with discussions spanning animation, innovation, artificial intelligence and the role of human imagination in creative work.
With its expanded format, SACC 2026 aims to move the conversation further, creating a platform where creative ideas can meet industry expertise, professional networks and global opportunities.
SACC 2026 runs from October 22–25 at Aljada, Sharjah.
