DHAHRAN: The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture will transform into a film hub from May 2-9 for the Saudi Film Festival’s 10th year of showcasing and celebrating the art of cinema.
The festival features screenings and workshops and will be a place where filmmakers from the Kingdom and the region get the chance to share their love of cinema. The main theme this year will be science fiction, along with special emphasis on Indian cinema.
Ahmed Al-Mulla, the festival’s director, said: “This event is fast developing into a must-attend festival across the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) film community. This year’s 10th edition is shaping up to be the biggest and best yet.”
He added that the event will further enable filmmakers within Saudi Arabia to be part of the larger global pivot toward visual storytelling.
Festival Vice President Mansour Al-Badran said: “We have come a long way over the past decade and are pleased to see the Saudi Film Festival’s importance and popularity across the region’s film community growing (with) each passing year.
“Through strategic partnership, the Saudi Film Festival has become a portal for culture exchange and exploration, providing an avenue for cultural openness for the Kingdom and building bridges beyond borders for new programs and experiences.”
This year’s “Spotlight on Indian Cinema” program will feature independent Indian films from beyond Bollywood. Practical workshops and cultural seminars will take place, along with events for children.
Organized by the Cinema Association, in partnership with Ithra, and with the support of Saudi Ministry of Culture’s Film Commission, the festival has had more than 800 entrants for its awards this year.
The SFF has restructured its prize submissions this year. Film and screenplay entries will be nominated through the festival’s technical committee to compete for 37 awards in three categories: film competition, unexecuted screenplay, and production market projects. Golden Palm Awards have been added to recognize the best Saudi documentary about the environment and the best animated short film.
The festival continues its tradition of celebrating the achievements of film pioneers in the Kingdom and across the Gulf. This year the festival honors Saudi actor Abdulmohsen Al-Nemer, who starred in last year’s “Hajjan,” and Syrian director Mohammad Malas.
“Alkhobar Cinematheque” will be launched to serve as the administrative headquarters of the Cinema Association, and will feature dinner parties and curated concerts at select locations across the city throughout the duration of the festival.
For updates and more information, visit ithra.com.
