Latest news with #11thSaudiFilmFestival
Leaders
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Leaders
Japanese Masakazu Explores Connections between Culture, Storytelling
The 11th Saudi Film Festival (SFF) has delved into the deep connections between culture and storytelling through an important panel by Japanese filmmaker Kaneko Masakazu, according to Arab News. Known for his cinematic passion for nature, memory, and myth, Masakazu explored how cultural identity shape cinematic storytelling. Moderated by cultural commentator Showg AlBarjas, the panel highlighted Masakazu's approach to filmmaking, notably in his third feature film 'River Returns' (2024). 'My work deals with the relationship between nature and humans as its central theme. It tells these stories in a poetic, almost mythical style,' he said. Interestingly, it narrates the story of a young boy who embarks on a dangerous journey to a seemingly haunted body of water. At this place, he hopes to alleviate the grief-stricken spirit that caused the devastating floods that hit the village. The film represents an exceptional blend between fantasy and drama. 'In the end, it becomes a transmission of culture, a passing down of folklore, all leading back to a shared emotional core. At the same time, I'm interested in how people respond — how a non-Japanese audience might engage with it,' he added. Masakazu mentioned that the boy's journey to the mountain pool is not just a physical journey, but a spiritual and emotional one, too. Related Topics: Saudi Film Festival Highlights Similarities between Saudi, Japanese Cinema Japanese Yamamura Holds Masterclass at Saudi Film Festival Manga Productions Boosts Japanese Collaboration for Riyadh Season Short link :
The National
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
Saudi director on how the kingdom's dedication to the film industry is paying off
The 11th Saudi Film Festival has concluded, but the event – which ran from Thursday to Wednesday – was one of the biggest yet, with 68 films selected for screening. It's another sign of the country's growing commitment to building a vibrant and successful film industry. Saudi filmmaker Mansour Albadran, the deputy general manager of the festival, says the annual event has grown every year, in terms of film screenings and attendance. He adds that the quality of films from the kingdom is also improving as the festival attempts to stay on top of this trend. 'The quality of Saudi film production is sufficient for us to raise the bar in terms of selecting only the films that we feel have reached a level of global professionalism,' Albadran tells The National. Being a filmmaker himself, Albadran knows about the challenges, but adds that the Saudi film industry has come a long way in the past decade since the inception of the festival. 'There's no doubt that Saudi cinema has witnessed major leaps and developments over the past 10 years," he says. "We're talking about a time when cinemas didn't even exist and today, thankfully, they are here." He credits the event for also playing a pivotal role. For instance, the festival has a production market, a place where investors, producers, filmmakers and industry professionals can come together to explore opportunities. Albadran says filmmakers can also connect with investors who could come into a project at the beginning or middle of its production and help get it across the line. "In this edition, more than 17 entities from within the kingdom and abroad are involved in cinema, filmmaking and supporting directors. All of them are driving and supporting entities for the cinema sector," he adds. Another benefit of the festival is its role as a place of mentorship. There is a stage within the production market where professionals in the industry give talks and hold panel discussions. These days, most of the films made in Saudi Arabia are either light-hearted comedies or documentaries that focus on different parts of society. As most new filmmakers are young and male, they are choosing to make films for people in their demographic. However, he notes that directors are switching focus, going away from genres such as drama to challenge themselves. 'What makes me happy is that Saudi films are approachable and understandable for the average viewer, reaching the most amount of people," he says. "I hope we can also start to experiment with new genres of filmmaking like science fiction and historical epics. I think they are important genres with a lot of potential for us.' Today, Saudi titles are being produced in impressive numbers and can be found at film festivals, movie theatres and streaming services. In 2023, the Saudi Film Commission confirmed continued rapid growth of the country's film industry across all sectors, including moviegoers, cinemas, box office and film production capacity. Albadran says he hopes this trend continues and that one day Saudi films will gain major global attention. 'We're happy with the leaps and transformations that have taken place, all within the framework of Vision 2030, launched by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. We believe it's playing a very effective role in developing this vital sector."
Arab News
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Film review: ‘My Driver & I'
The winner of the Best Feature Film at the 11th Saudi Film Festival, which concluded earlier this month, 'My Driver & I' (Salma and Gamar), directed by Saudi Arabia's own Ahd Kamel, is a poignant coming-of-age story set in 1980s and 1990s Jeddah. The film follows Salma, raised as an only child in a villa. Her globe-trotting father (played by legendary Saudi hip-hop artist Qusai 'Don Legend' Kheder) indulges her with stacks of music cassette tapes from his international travels. Salma's Palestinian mother (Rana Alamuddin) initially appears overly-strict but a soft undercurrent eventually reveals itself. The heart of the film lies in Salma's bond with Gamar (Mustafa Shahata), a newly hired Sudanese driver and father to a one-year-old child back in Sudan. Though tasked with taking Salma to school, Gamar becomes her protector, confidant and quiet guide through life. Salma is portrayed as a very young girl by Tarah Al-Hakeem and later, as a teenager, by Roula Dakheelallah. Gamar, too, has a relationship with cassette tapes — but for a very different reason. His wife back home cannot read, so he sends her audio recordings filled with updates and declarations of love for her and their child. Despite the distance and longing, he makes the difficult decision to stay in Jeddah until Salma graduates high school, sacrificing his own time with his family in the process. One might be reminded of the classic 1989 American film 'Driving Miss Daisy,' which followed the decades-long relationship between an elderly white Southern woman and her Black driver in mid-20th-century Atlanta. But while parallels can be drawn in terms of companionship and class, 'My Driver & I' is a distinctly Saudi story — rooted in a different era, place and dynamic. Kamel has said in interviews that the film is inspired by her own relationship with her childhood driver. As Salma matures, the innocence of her world begins to fray. Still in high school, a shy flirtation with a teen boy (played by pop star Mishaal Tamer) causes tension between her and Gamar. While some parts of the story may seem stretched or lengthy, it feels like a road — meandering, unfolding in its own time. Kamel is no stranger to the screen. Best known for her acting role in the BAFTA-nominated 'Wadjda' (2012), Saudi Arabia's first feature film, 'My Driver & I' marks her directorial debut. While 'Wadjda' centered on a girl longing to ride a bicycle, this film replaces the bike with a car — and, at one point, even a jet ski. In both films, the story is rooted in a Saudi girl's perspective. Raised in Jeddah, Kamel moved to New York City for higher education; she studied law at Columbia University and then animation and communication at Parsons, and obtained a directing degree from New York Film Academy. It was while in the US that she learned of her childhood driver's passing and began writing 'My Driver & I' as a homage — to him, and to the city they shared. Gamar, which translates to 'moon,' can be seen as reflecting Salma's ball of sunshine. He does not just drive her from place to place, he shows her the road — both literal and emotional. And she provides the soundtrack.
Arab News
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Winners take to stage as curtain falls on 11th Saudi Film Festival
DHAHRAN: The 11th Saudi Film Festival, which was hosted at the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture, concluded with a dazzling showcase on Wednesday following a week of cinema-centric programming. For the latest updates, follow us on Instagram @ The celebration took place after the final films were screened, and featured a selfie-heavy red carpet at which Saudi fans stood waiting for their favorite stars to arrive. Just as on opening night seven days earlier, Saudi actors Aixa Kay and Khaled Saqer hosted. There were no musical numbers or performances this time around, just awards and heartfelt speeches. The big winners were invited on stage to collect their Golden Palm Awards — which resembled film strips sprouted in the shape of a palm tree and drenched in gold — after each jury provided a short speech as to why the winner had been chosen. A post shared by (@saudifilmfestival) The award for Best Feature Film was given to 'My Driver & I,' directed by Ahd Kamel. It was collected by the film's star — who played teenage Salma — Roula Dakheelallah. The Golden Palm Award for Best Feature Film (GCC) went to the Iraqi film 'Songs of Adam' by Oday Rasheed. The films 'Hobal,' 'Siwar,' and 'Holes' each received special recognition from the jury for their cinematography. Meshal Al-Mutairi received the Golden Palm for Best Acting. 'Mera, Mera, Mera' by Khalid Zaidan won the Golden Palm for Best Short Film. A post shared by (@saudifilmfestival) The Abdullah Al-Mohaisen Award for a first film was presented to 'Sharshura' (The Hearse) by Ahmed Alnasser, who shared with the audience that he was a volunteer at SFF in 2014 at the second edition, and that he would place his new award next to his baby who was born that morning. The Golden Palm for Best Short Film (GCC) was awarded to 'Delusion' by Issa Al-Subhi, with 'The Last Dismissal' by Jawaher Alamri earning special recognition from the jury. 'Othman in the Vatican' by Yasir bin Ghaneem won the Golden Palm for Best Documentary Film, while the award in the GCC was awarded to 'The Dark Side of Japan' by Omar Farooq. Ahmed Al-Mulla, the festival's director, said: 'We are gathered once more for cinema at the 11th edition of the Saudi Film Festival. 'We arrived with stories and dreams in our hearts. In just a few short days we have listened to tales that were not only watched, but deeply felt. 'Each year you return to this space and fill it with warmth — with your hearts and with your creative spirit. 'You move through the rhythm of the festival as if it's a language you've always spoken. We thank everyone — those behind the curtain, those who adjusted the lights, and those who stayed with us until the last shot. Thank you to those who chose to be here — cinema does not call to us in vain.'
The National
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
Saudi Film Festival concludes with awards ceremony and honours screen veteran
The 11th Saudi Film Festival concluded on Wednesday evening, wrapping up a week-long event with a closing ceremony at the Ithra Theatre. The Golden Palm Awards were presented for the official competitions at the event, accompanied by the screening of a documentary honouring this year's celebrated artist, Ibrahim Al-Hasawi. With a career that spans four decades, Al-Hasawi has appeared in 45 theatre productions, 90 television series and 15 films. Upon receiving the award, Al-Hasawi said it was the 'honour of my career'. He also sang the praises of Saudi cinema and the large strides it has taken over the past 10 years, adding that it will reach global audiences and international acclaim. The theme of this year's festival was 'Stories Seen and Told', placing a strong emphasis on identity cinema. A wide range of films delved into themes of memory, belonging and a sense of place, offering perspectives that were personal, social and artistically rich. In the feature film competition, My Driver & I, directed by Ahd Kamel, took home the Golden Palm for Best Feature Film, standing out among strong contenders such as Hobal by Abdulaziz Al-Shalahi and Siwar by Osama Al Khurayji. The film tells the story of a young woman in Jeddah who forms an unexpected bond with her driver as they connect over shared aspirations. His journey mirrors her own, shaped by the challenges of leaving his family behind in Sudan and navigating the limitations placed on women in Saudi Arabia. The Best Acting award was presented to Meshal Al-Mutairi for his performance in Hobal. Actors Rola Dakhil Allah and Fahid Al-Yami were given honourable mentions. The Iraqi film Songs of Adam, directed by Oday Rasheed, was awarded Best Gulf Feature Film, while Hobal, Siwar and Thuqoub earned honourable mentions. Mera, Mera, Mera by Khalid Zaidan earned the Golden Palm in the short film category, competing against Two Sisters by Waleed Alqahtani and The Last Dismissal by Jawaher Alamari. The Abdullah Al-Muhaisen Award for Best First Film went to Sharshura by Ahmed Alnasser, winning ahead of Gum by Bilal AlBader and Saeed's Day by Mohammed AlZuwairi. Delusion by Issa Salem Hamad Al-Subhi was named the Best Gulf Short Film, while Othman in the Vatican by Yasir bin Ghanem secured the Golden Palm in the documentary film category, surpassing strong entries such as Market Dynamo and Sarih. Othman in the Vatican first screened at Red Sea Film Festival and follows Othman Al-Khozaim, a seasoned Saudi painter who receives a scholarship to study design in Rome. In 2019, he was invited to return to Italy to present Letters without Words, an exhibition of his work visited by Pope Francis. The Jabal Tuwaiq Award was presented to the best film about a Saudi city, and went to Qarn Al-Manazil by Misha'al Al-Thubaiti, while The Dark Side of Japan by Bahraini YouTube star Omar Farooq took home the top prize in the Gulf documentary film category. The judging panels featured filmmakers and critics from both Saudi Arabia and the international community. The feature film jury was chaired by Moroccan-French director Ismael Ferroukhi, with Canadian scholar Laura Marks and Saudi director Walaa Bahefzallah serving as members. The short film jury was led by Japanese director Ken Ochiai, with Saudi writer-director Layaly Badr and Saudi director Musab Al-Omari as jurors. The documentary film jury was headed by Egyptian director Marianne Khoury, with Saudi producer-director Faisal Al-Otaibi and French director Sylvie Ballyot completing the panel. The festival concluded by awarding 40 prizes from 16 sponsors, totalling 2,557,500 Saudi riyals ($681,842). The prizes were distributed among Saudi and Gulf film projects in various stages of development and production. The film Green Corpse won the MBC Academy and Shahid Platform Award, valued at SAR 150,000 ($39,990). Since 2022, the Saudi Film Festival has been organised by the Cinema Association in collaboration with the King Abdulaziz Centre for World Culture (Ithra) and with support from the Saudi Film Commission.
