This year the festival honours Saudi actor Abdulmohsen Al-Nemer and Syrian director Mohammad Malas.
The 10th annual Saudi Film Festival is slated to take place from May 2-9, featuring a lineup of 76 film screenings and 53 titles vying for 36 awards.
This year’s main theme will be science fiction, with a special emphasis on Indian cinema.
Held at the King Abdulaziz World Cultural Centre (Ithra), this year’s festival commemorates a decade of cinematic innovation and achievement, with a special emphasis on Science Fiction Cinema.
As the Saudi Film Festival (SFF) marks its milestone anniversary, it introduces a revamped competition structure aimed at elevating the competitive spirit among participants.
A total of 53 selected films, spanning long, short, and documentary formats, have been nominated by the festival’s technical committee to compete for the awards.
The competition encompasses three major categories: Film Competition, Unexecuted Screenplay Competition, and Production Market Projects Competition.
In a nod to environmental and artistic achievements, the newly introduced Golden Palm Awards will honour the best Saudi documentary about the environment and a runner-up in the animated short film category.
Beyond the cinematic showcases, SFF offers a plethora of professional development opportunities. The festival hosts 10 targeted training workshops, specialised sessions for production market participants, and courses on developing short and long film scenarios. Additionally, a symposium and 13 masterclasses cover a wide spectrum of cinematic subjects, enriching the skills and understanding of film professionals.
Reflecting on its decade-long journey, the Saudi Film Festival has witnessed the participation of 1,444 films, over 2,000 unexecuted screenplays, and the launch of 289 production market projects, significantly propelling the growth of Saudi Arabia’s film industry.
To commemorate this rich history, the Festival Museum will showcase memorabilia and milestones from past festivals. Attendees can also explore the Cinema Society’s “Saudi Encyclopedia of Cinema” and participate in book signing events.
A dynamic children’s programme will be available, offering interactive experiences, meet-and-greets with Saudi film stars, and tours of Ithra’s expansive facilities.
This year, SFF continues its tradition of honouring industry luminaries. Celebrated Saudi artist Abdul Mohsen Al-Nimr will be recognised for his extensive contributions to Gulf cinema, with notable works such as The Sun (1990), Shadows of Silence (2006), Thobe The Wedding (2016), Long Road (2022), and Hajjan (2023), which received accolades at international film festivals, affirming his enduring impact on the industry.
