Dubai Culture and Arts Authority is accepting applications for Harakat Sikka, a practical stop-motion animation training course as part of the Sikka platform.
The programme aims to develop visual storytelling skills among young creatives and support the growth of the animation sector in Dubai.
What is stop-motion animation?
A filmmaking technique in which physical objects are moved slowly between individually photographed frames, stop-motion animation creates the illusion of movement when played back. It often involves puppets and clay figures and is known for its handcrafted appearance.
Some of the most famous films that use the technique are Chicken Run and Wallace & Gromit by the UK's Aardman Animations, as well as Coraline and The Nightmare Before Christmas, directed by Henry Selick.
Who can apply?
Harakat Sikka is open to UAE nationals and residents aged 18 and above. It is intended for students, artists, filmmakers, writers and designers who are interested in learning the basics of stop-motion animation. Applicants do not need any previous experience to apply.
What is the programme like?
The course will run from August 18 to September 26 at House 436 in Al Shindagha. It will be limited to 10 participants to maintain what organisers describe as “a focused, small-group environment".
Sessions will take place three times a week, offering structured and practical instruction in all aspects of animation. Workshops will be led by Boubaker Boukhari, a director and artist recognised for his experimental, folklore-inspired work in stop-motion.
Participants will be introduced to each stage of the animation process – beginning with concept development and storyboarding, followed by character design, visual and audio production, and then editing. The programme will also include guidance on how to prepare completed projects for festival submission and distribution. The course concludes with a public screening of the participants’ short films at the Sikka Art and Design Festival.
How can people apply?
To apply, candidates need to submit a short-written response outlining their interest in animation and their reasons for applying. Applicants may also include a CV or creative portfolio to support their submission if they wish to do so. The deadline for applications is August 8, and submissions must be made through the official Dubai Culture website.
What is Sikka?
The Sikka platform is a Dubai Culture initiative that supports emerging talent across the visual arts, design, film and literature. It builds on the momentum of the annual Sikka Art and Design Festival and extends its spirit year-round through residencies, workshops and collaborative projects. The platform provides space, mentorship and professional development for young artists, with a particular focus on engaging local voices and encouraging experimentation. Harakat Sikka is one of several training programmes launched under the platform to provide access to practical tools and artistic guidance in a supportive, community-centred setting.
The latest festival ran from January 31 to February 9. The festival was spread across 19 houses in the Al Shindagha neighbourhood, its courtyards and along Dubai Creek. It featured installations, sculptures and interactive spaces. More than 450 workshops, talks and panel discussions were also held across the eight days, as well as 100 live performances, 13 theatrical shows and six orchestral performances.
TECH%20SPECS%3A%20APPLE%20WATCH%20SE%20(second%20generation)
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At a glance - Zayed Sustainability Prize 2020
Launched: 2008
Categories: Health, energy, water, food, global high schools
Prize: Dh2.2 million (Dh360,000 for global high schools category)
Winners’ announcement: Monday, January 13
Impact in numbers
335 million people positively impacted by projects
430,000 jobs created
10 million people given access to clean and affordable drinking water
50 million homes powered by renewable energy
6.5 billion litres of water saved
26 million school children given solar lighting
VEZEETA PROFILE
Date started: 2012
Founder: Amir Barsoum
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: HealthTech / MedTech
Size: 300 employees
Funding: $22.6 million (as of September 2018)
Investors: Technology Development Fund, Silicon Badia, Beco Capital, Vostok New Ventures, Endeavour Catalyst, Crescent Enterprises’ CE-Ventures, Saudi Technology Ventures and IFC
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Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
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What should do investors do now?
What does the S&P 500's new all-time high mean for the average investor?
Should I be euphoric?
No. It's fine to be pleased about hearty returns on your investments. But it's not a good idea to tie your emotions closely to the ups and downs of the stock market. You'll get tired fast. This market moment comes on the heels of last year's nosedive. And it's not the first or last time the stock market will make a dramatic move.
So what happened?
It's more about what happened last year. Many of the concerns that triggered that plunge towards the end of last have largely been quelled. The US and China are slowly moving toward a trade agreement. The Federal Reserve has indicated it likely will not raise rates at all in 2019 after seven recent increases. And those changes, along with some strong earnings reports and broader healthy economic indicators, have fueled some optimism in stock markets.
"The panic in the fourth quarter was based mostly on fears," says Brent Schutte, chief investment strategist for Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company. "The fundamentals have mostly held up, while the fears have gone away and the fears were based mostly on emotion."
Should I buy? Should I sell?
Maybe. It depends on what your long-term investment plan is. The best advice is usually the same no matter the day — determine your financial goals, make a plan to reach them and stick to it.
"I would encourage (investors) not to overreact to highs, just as I would encourage them not to overreact to the lows of December," Mr Schutte says.
All the same, there are some situations in which you should consider taking action. If you think you can't live through another low like last year, the time to get out is now. If the balance of assets in your portfolio is out of whack thanks to the rise of the stock market, make adjustments. And if you need your money in the next five to 10 years, it shouldn't be in stocks anyhow. But for most people, it's also a good time to just leave things be.
Resist the urge to abandon the diversification of your portfolio, Mr Schutte cautions. It may be tempting to shed other investments that aren't performing as well, such as some international stocks, but diversification is designed to help steady your performance over time.
Will the rally last?
No one knows for sure. But David Bailin, chief investment officer at Citi Private Bank, expects the US market could move up 5 per cent to 7 per cent more over the next nine to 12 months, provided the Fed doesn't raise rates and earnings growth exceeds current expectations. We are in a late cycle market, a period when US equities have historically done very well, but volatility also rises, he says.
"This phase can last six months to several years, but it's important clients remain invested and not try to prematurely position for a contraction of the market," Mr Bailin says. "Doing so would risk missing out on important portfolio returns."
