DHAHRAN, SAUDI ARABIA, 17 APRIL 2025 – The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) opens the 11th edition of the Saudi Film Festival today, the longest-standing film festival in the Kingdom which runs between April 17-23. Organized by the Cinema Association in partnership with Ithra and supported by the Film Commission of the Ministry of Culture, this year’s festival embraces the theme “Cinema of Identity,” alongside a special focus on Japanese cinema, exploring the profound connections between films and cultural narratives.
Since its inception in 2008, the Saudi Film Festival has been a cornerstone for filmmakers in the Kingdom and GCC, offering a platform for screening films, developing scripts, and fostering industry connections. Ithra has been a strategic partner since 2014, enhancing the Festival’s prestige within the regional film community.
The Saudi Film Festival’s Red Carpet welcomed Aixa Kay and Khaled Saqer, who both presented this year’s ceremony, in addition to several major figures in Saudi and global cinema such as renowned Japanese filmmakers Koji Yamamura, Masakazu Kaneko, Naoko Tajima, and Ken Oshia.
Marking the Festival’s opening is Osama Al Khurayji’s debut film Siwar. Inspired by true events, the film is written by Rashed Al-Munajjim and tells the story of Saudi and Turkish new-borns switched by mistake at birth.
Saudi Film Festival Director, Ahmed Al-Mulla, said ahead of the opening: “The 11th edition of the festival represents a culmination of all the transformations the Saudi film industry has gone through in recent years. We hope this edition provides a vibrant space for filmmakers to redefine the film experience, and gives Saudi cinema a platform for cross-cultural exchange.“
During the opening, Noura Alzamil, Head of Programs at Ithra said: “The Saudi Film Festival has become more than just a platform where films are screened; it has become a dynamic and vibrant space where visions are created and reality is reshaped through creative storytelling that reflects the diversity of Saudi society and the richness of its identity.”
Festival Highlights:
Film Screenings: A curated and diverse selection of 68 screenings will take place during the week-long Festival. These include 36 Saudi and Gulf feature, short and documentary films, supporting emerging filmmakers and promoting regional storytelling. Additionally, international and Arab films that resonate with the festival’s theme will be presented in collaboration with Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival, in addition to four short Japanese films to be screened in collaboration with Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia, offering attendees a global perspective on “Cinema of Identity.” Notable screenings include:
- An Orange From Jaffa (2024, Short Film, Palestine) — Directed by Mohammed Almughanni, this poetic short captures the sense of loss and identity experienced by a Palestinian in exile. Centered around a single orange, the film presents a tender meditation on belonging, memory, and homeland. The film has garnered significant acclaim, winning the Grand Prix at the 2024 Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival, the Louis Le Prince Award at the Leeds International
- Hobal (2024, Feature Film, Saudi Arabia) — Directed by Abdulaziz Alshlahi, this gripping psychological drama crafts a powerful reflection on emotional repression and trauma in contemporary society. The film was honored with the Best Saudi Film award at the Red Sea International Film Festival.
- My Driver and I (2024, Feature Film, Saudi Arabia) — The latest from pioneering Saudi director Ahd Kamel, this film charts the relationship between a young woman and her long-time driver to offer a nuanced study of gender, class, and trust, marking Kamel’s much-anticipated return to the screen.
- The Dark Side of Japan (2024, Documentary Feature, Japan) — Directed by Omar Farooq, who has been travelling the world in the pursuit of experiencing different cultures. In his trip to Japan and his immersion in their traditions and landscapes he finds himself exposed to its unknown struggles, or as he calls it, “The Dark Side of Japan.”
Production Market: A dynamic platform designed to connect filmmakers, producers, financiers, and industry talents, facilitating collaborations and fostering the growth of the local film industry.
Panel Discussions and Masterclasses: Engaging sessions with film industry experts such as renowned Saudi actor Ibrahim Al-Hsawi, who is honoured at the festival this year; directors Mohammed Alholayyil and Ayoub Layoussifi; and film critic Andrew Mohsen. Sessions will cover topics from script development to distribution strategies, providing invaluable insights for both aspiring and established filmmakers.
Meet the Experts: One-on-one sessions offering filmmakers personalized advice and mentorship from seasoned professionals.
Japan Spotlight: Featuring screenings of eight feature and short films, as well as expert discussions with Japanese filmmakers. The short film screenings are organized in collaboration with the renowned Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia in Japan. Moreover, a dedicated cultural seminar and an advanced masterclass will delve into the Japanese cinematic experience.
Awards: The Festival will also serve as an awards platform, with prizes to be awarded across multiple categories during the Festival. A total of 285 films have been submitted for the film awards.
Passes and further information are available through the Ithra website here.
About the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra)
The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) is a leading cultural destination in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. The center focuses on enriching people’s lives by offering impactful cultural and creative programs and initiatives. Since its opening in 2018, Ithra has become a distinguished architectural landmark which houses the Idea Lab, Library, Theater, Museum, Cinema, Great Hall, Energy Exhibit, Children’s Museum and Knowledge Tower. For more information, please visit: www.ithra.com. Follow Ithra on social media: Facebook (King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture), X (@Ithra) and Instagram (@Ithra) #Ithra
For more information, please visit www.ithra.com. Follow Ithra on social media: Facebook (King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture), X (@Ithra) and Instagram (@Ithra) #Ithra.
