Sharjah's Bait Elowal blends film and food for a unique cultural experience this January!

Sharjah's historic Bait Elowal is set to host a unique 'Cinema and Dining' experience, transforming its courtyard into an immersive cultural destination this January. This event, running every Friday and Saturday from 16-31 January 2026, blends curated film screenings with thoughtful culinary journeys, offering a fresh take on entertainment in the emirate.

According to Bait Elowal, this distinctive Sharjah Cinema and Dining series, in partnership with Cinema Akil and supported by the Xposure International Photography Festival, promises a multisensory exploration of storytelling.

An immersive cultural experience in Sharjah

Bait Elowal, a beautifully restored heritage house in the Heart of Sharjah, provides the perfect backdrop for this event. It brings together visual culture and gastronomy, creating a unique and immersive exchange that strengthens cultural understanding. This initiative aligns with Sharjah’s broader vision of sharing heritage through contemporary approaches, offering a truly holistic experience that combines imagery, a sense of place, and taste.

Her Highness Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, the visionary behind Bait Elowal, said: “Bait Elowal is an extension of Sharjah’s vision of sharing story and heritage through contemporary approaches. ‘Cinema and Dining’ creates an immersive exchange between visual culture and gastronomy that strengthens cultural understanding. It is a uniquely holistic experience that brings together imagery, a sense of place, and taste.”

The collaboration also highlights the dedication of partners like the Xposure International Photography Festival, which has spent over a decade advancing visual storytelling. Her Excellency Alya Al Suwaidi, Director of the Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB), affirmed: “For over a decade, Xposure has been dedicated to advancing visual storytelling. ‘Cinema and Dining’ represents a distinctive cultural programme that expands the language of cinema through the culinary arts. This collaboration aligns with the mission of Xposure to broaden the horizons of visual storytelling and to strengthen cross-cultural exchange.” You can check out more about the festival in our coverage of Xposure 2026.

The films to watch

Cinema Akil has curated a powerful selection of films that resonate with both regional narratives and global perspectives. Each screening is designed to foster constructive dialogue and shared discovery, inviting guests to listen, taste, and reflect. The lineup features critically acclaimed titles from renowned directors:

• 16 January: Homework by Abbas Kiarostami
• 17 January: Tale of the Three Jewels by Michel Khleifi
• 23 January: A Separation by Asghar Farhadi
• 24 January: Taste of Cherry by Abbas Kiarostami
• 30 January: The Experience by Abbas Kiarostami
• 31 January: Capernaum by Nadine Labaki

A culinary journey with Cinema Akil

Beyond the screen, the 'Cinema and Dining' experience extends to the plate. The dining elements are thoughtfully paired to echo the films’ atmospheres, origins, and themes, creating a multisensory arc from the opening frame to the final course. This unique approach ensures that the storytelling continues through the culinary arts, making each evening a truly cohesive and memorable event.

Butheina Kazim of Cinema Akil emphasised this synergy, stating: “Cinema and food both hold the power to transport us through memory, and emotion. At Cinema Akil, we have always believed deeply in the ability of film to expand our frames of reference and reshape how we understand the world. We’re proud to be back in Sharjah partnering with Bait Elowal and Xposure to bring these sensibilities together, creating an experience where storytelling, heritage, and hospitality come together.”

This event is a testament to Sharjah's commitment to diverse cultural experiences, offering residents and visitors something truly special. It joins other exciting cultural happenings across the region, like the recent Ras Al Khaimah Art Festival, which also celebrated creativity and heritage.

Experience 'Cinema and Dining' at Bait Elowal

The 'Cinema and Dining' series takes place every Friday and Saturday from 16 January to 31 January 2026 at Bait Elowal, located in the Heart of Sharjah, UAE. This historic two-story house, over 100 years old, faces Sharjah Creek on Al Merraijja Square, offering a picturesque dining ambience in its central courtyard.

We recommend checking Bait Elowal's official channels closer to the event for more information.

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