The Saudi Film Festival returns to the screens at the King Abulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) from 17 to 23 April in Dhahran, with the support of the Saudi Cinema Association and the Saudi Film Commission. The new edition — titled Stories to Be Told — will pay tribute to Saudi actor Ibrahim Al Hawasi while exploring the role of cinema in shaping and reflecting individual, national, and cultural identities, featuring films from Saudi Arabia, the Gulf region, and beyond.

This year’s festival will showcase 22 short fiction films, 12 parallel screenings, and seven documentaries, offering attendees a glimpse into contemporary Arab cinema while addressing human loss, individual transformation, personal memory, and life struggle. Moreover, the program includes six world premiere screenings — Sharshoura, Yes, Mehdh Lekaa, Juz, Khidmat Al Majmat, and Wa Hulay Al Bada.

The highlights: Sharshura (The Hearse by Ahmed Alnasser) takes viewers on an intimate journey of existential reflection to tell the story of a hearse driver wrestling with profound inner conflicts. Meanwhile, the Signal (by Khaled AlQattan) offers a subtle exploration of personal desires versus social obligations, using a traffic signal as a metaphor for personal restraint, sacrifice, and the pressures of societal conformity.

ALSO- Namousa (by Ranim and Dana Al Mohandes) is an animation film inspired by Al Ula and Cairo, telling Zozo’s story of personal success in her journey to sing in front of legendary Egyptian singer Umm Kulthum.

More than Arab films: Attendees will have the chance to enjoy a selection from the Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival as well as eight Japanese films, expert discussions, and the return of the Short Shorts Film Festival from Japan. The public can also participate in book signings for key publications like the Saudi Cinema Encyclopedia.

In addition to screenings and competitions, the Saudi Film Festival offers a program aimed at supporting filmmakers at all levels. The schedule includes expert-led masterclasses on directing, cinematography, and scriptwriting, as well as panel discussions on the evolution of Saudi cinema and storytelling.

The Kingdom wants to a silver-screen powerhouse: Saudi Arabia launched the Saudi Film Fund — the Kingdom’s first investment fund dedicated to cinema — last February, in a bid push to grow a local film industry, production infrastructure, and support content reflecting Saudi culture and values. Managed by Mefic Capital in collaboration with Roaa Media Ventures, the USD 100 mn fund is 40% by the state-owned Cultural Development Fund.

ALSO- The Cultural Development Fund launched a USD 234 mn Film Sector Financing Program in March 2023, targeting local and foreign film through lending and investment packages to boost local content, empower SMEs, and strengthen private sector participation.

BUT- Cinema returns hit a snag in 2024: Local box office saw an 8% y-o-y decline to SAR 846 mn last year, although the decline was attributed to hall operators dropping ticket prices to SAR 50-55 apiece in May.

Customized ticket: The festival introduces new tickets, allowing attendees to customize their experience. Visitors can purchase single-day or seven-day passes with access to movie screenings and the red carpet. You can get tickets here.

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