Four days of masterclasses, workshops, talks and live experiences exploring the craft, creative process and industry behind animation and comics
Sharjah, October 6, 2026, : Aspiring artists, animators, writers and storytellers can explore the distinct worlds of animation and comics when the Sharjah Animation and Comics Conference (SACC 2026) returns to Aljada, Sharjah, from October 22 to 25.
Organised by the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), the fourth edition will feature dedicated Animation and Comics programmes, together offering over 150 activities, including masterclasses, workshops, seminars, talks and hands-on experiences. Across the two programmes, participants can develop their skills, learn professional processes and explore how stories and characters move across different creative formats.
Animation: From story and character to screen and industry
The Animation programme will explore the craft and industry behind feature films, television series and short films, covering different stages of development and production.
Masterclasses and workshops will examine writing, drawing, storyboarding, character performance, movement, traditional and digital animation, stop-motion, dubbing, and voice acting. Participants can also explore how physical performance and motion capture are translated into digital characters and how emerging technologies are being used in animation workflows.
Industry sessions will examine developing original stories and characters, studio development, financing, co-production, international collaboration and distribution. Discussions will also consider how regional stories can reach international audiences, drawing on experiences from feature films, independent animation, short films, studios and international markets.
Other sessions will examine data-driven production and changing creative workflows, including how new tools can support artists and studios while maintaining creative authorship and artistic vision.
Comics: From the page to the wider creative world
The Comics programme will explore creation, storytelling, publishing, collecting and character development.
Participants can develop their skills in drawing, cartooning, character and world development, visual storytelling and writing, while exploring how comic ideas can be adapted across different formats. Sessions will also examine connections between comics and animation, film, CGI and physical character design.
Publishing, representation and international opportunities will feature alongside the business of comics and collectables. Participants can learn about collecting, rarity and grading, as well as the factors that influence the value of comics and collectables.
Other sessions will explore webtoons, vinyl toys, collectables, and 3D development, examining how characters and stories can move beyond the comic page.
Learn from industry professionals
Across both programmes, participants will learn directly from professionals working in animation, comics, film, performance, publishing and related creative industries.
Masterclasses will provide in-depth learning in specific areas of practice, while workshops will give participants hands-on opportunities to experiment with techniques and tools. Sessions will cover areas including character development, visual world-building, movement, storytelling and adaptation.
Join the industry conversation
Talks, panels, seminars and roundtables will examine the creative and business questions facing animation and comics.
Conversations will cover how projects move from concept to production and distribution, including IP development, publishing, financing, co-production and international markets.
Sessions will also examine regional creative industries, connections between artists, studios and publishers across different markets, and developments in digital platforms and emerging technologies.
See the craft in action
Live demonstrations will give audiences a closer look at creative processes and techniques used across animation and comics.
Traditional animation, drawing, motion capture, stop motion, and practical character creation will be featured, showing how different techniques are applied in practice.
Music and performance will also form part of the programme, including a live orchestral demonstration exploring how soundtracks for animated films are created and work with moving images.
A meeting point for animation and comics
Bringing the two programmes together will allow participants to explore connections between animation and comics, including character development, visual storytelling, adaptation, publishing, physical design and digital formats.
Over four days, aspiring creators, established professionals, publishers, fans, and other audiences can take part in learning sessions, industry discussions, and live experiences.
Further announcements will reveal participating guests, individual sessions, workshop opportunities and other activities planned across the four-day programme.
For more information, please visit sharjahanimation.com.
