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Arab News
18-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
11th Saudi Film Festival opens with a night of cinema, culture, stars
DHAHRAN: The red carpet was rolled out for the 11th edition of the Saudi Film Festival on Thursday, as the event confirmed its role as a cornerstone of the Kingdom's burgeoning movie culture. For the latest updates, follow us on Instagram @ Hosted by the dynamic duo — Saudi actors Aixa Kay and Khaled Saqer — the celebration at the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) in Dhahran was brimming with glamor and drama. Saudi opera singer Mohammed Khayran Al-Zahrani and renowned French soprano Fabienne Conrad serenaded the crowd, while a live orchestra performed a medley of classical renditions of popular film scores under the direction of maestro Gevorg Sargsyan. The event was organized by the Cinema Association in strategic partnership with Ithra — an Aramco initiative — and was supported by the Saudi Film Commission of the Ministry of Culture. This year's festival, with the theme 'Cinema of Identity,' delves into the power of storytelling to reflect and shape cultural, personal and collective narratives. At the opening, Cinema Association chairwoman Hana Al-Omair emphasized the theme's significance. 'We present this year's edition at a time when Saudi film production is undergoing noticeable growth. Saudi films are no longer rare appearances; they are now competing for prime slots in Arab cinemas. This reflects an artistic momentum worth pausing and reflecting upon,' she said. She also highlighted the festival's special focus. 'In addition to the usual festival activities, we are shining a spotlight on the Japanese cinema experience, which has had a profound impact on world cinema, thanks to its artistic schools, rich experience and global history,' she said. Opening night saw visitors treated to the premiere of 'Siwar' by Osama Al-Khuraiji. The program, which runs until April 23, is packed with events including a steady stream of stars, film screenings, seminars, workshops, masterclasses and the coveted Golden Palm awards. Since its founding in 2008, the Saudi Film Festival has become the Kingdom's longest-running cinematic event. This year, 36 out of 68 screenings are Saudi and Gulf films, comprising eight narrative features, 21 shorts and seven documentaries. Parts of the proceedings, and some other festival events, are being live-streamed. For more information about buying tickets, visit the Ithra website.
Broadcast Pro
17-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Broadcast Pro
Saudi Film Festival returns for 11th edition with lineup of 68 films
Saudi director and producer Osama Al Khurayji's debut feature 'Siwar' has been chosen to open the Saudi Film Festival. The Saudi Film Festival is set to make its return for its 11th edition from April 17 to 23 at the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra), with this year's theme, 'Cinema of Identity,' focusing on how cinema reflects and shapes personal, cultural, and national identities. Organised by the Cinema Association in collaboration with Ithra and with support from the Film Commission, the festival will showcase 68 films from Saudi Arabia, the Gulf region—including Iraq and Yemen—and beyond. The lineup includes seven feature films from Saudi and Gulf filmmakers, 22 short fiction films and seven documentaries, along with 12 parallel screenings of Saudi productions. Among the narrative features competing this year are Hobal, My Driver and I, Thuqoub, Fakher Al-Suwaidi, Anaashed Adam, Es-aaf, Behind the Mountains and Adjourned. The festival will also honour veteran Saudi actor Ibrahim Al-Hasawi, celebrating his decades-long career across theater, television and cinema, with acclaimed roles in Tash Ma Tash, Bayni Wa Baynak, Zero Distance and Hajjan. In addition to screenings, the festival will host four panel discussions, four advanced masterclasses and three book signings for the Saudi Cinema Encyclopedia. Filmmakers will also have access to one-on-one 'Meet the Expert' sessions and private screenings at Ithra's plaza and library, offering valuable opportunities for mentorship and feedback. The festival's production market will feature 22 booths from regional production entities, giving filmmakers a platform to pitch, develop and promote their projects while building industry connections. This year also celebrates Japanese cinema, marking 70 years of Saudi-Japan diplomatic relations. Eight Japanese films will be screened, accompanied by expert-led discussions. Highlights from the Japanese selection include River Returns, Blue and White, Toma #2, Kaburagi, Extremely Short and The New World—a diverse showcase of storytelling rooted in tradition, memory, and modern transformation.
Arab News
16-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Saudi Film Festival returns with roster of regional films and special section for Japan
DUBAI: The Saudi Film Festival is set to return for its 11th edition from April 17 to 23, at the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra). For the latest updates, follow us on Instagram @ This year's theme, 'Cinema of Identity,' will explore how films shape and reflect individual, national, and cultural identities. Organized by the Cinema Association in partnership with Ithra and supported by the Film Commission, the festival will feature 68 films from Saudi Arabia, the Gulf — including Iraq and Yemen — and beyond. A post shared by مهرجان أفلام السعودية (@saudifilmfestival) The narrative features in competition include 'Hobal,' 'My Driver and I,' 'Thuqoub,' 'Fakher Al-Suwaidi,' Anaashed Adam,' 'Es-aaf,' 'Behind the Mountains' and 'Adjourned.' A highlight this year is the honorary tribute to Ibrahim Al-Hasawi, a veteran Saudi actor with over three decades of experience in theater, television, and cinema. His notable works include the TV series 'Tash Ma Tash' and 'Bayni Wa Baynak,' as well as films such as Ithra's 'Hajjan,' 'Zero Distance,' and the recent 'Hobal.' A post shared by مهرجان أفلام السعودية (@saudifilmfestival) This year's lineup includes seven Saudi and Gulf feature films, 22 short fiction films, and seven documentaries, alongside 12 parallel screenings of Saudi productions. The festival will also host four panel discussions, four advanced masterclasses and three book-signing sessions for the Saudi Cinema Encyclopedia. The plaza and library at Ithra will host 'Meet the Expert' one-on-one sessions and private screenings, offering filmmakers ample opportunities for personalized mentorship and feedback. A key component of the festival is its production market, which will showcase 22 booths from various production entities, providing filmmakers with a platform to develop and present their work. And to network. Additionally, Japanese cinema will be in focus, marking 70 years of Saudi-Japan relations, with eight Japanese films and expert discussions. Those Japanese films include: A post shared by مهرجان أفلام السعودية (@saudifilmfestival) 'River Returns' Hoping to save the village and his family from a flood, a young boy journeys alone to a pool deep in the mountains, following a tradition that is disappearing in post-war Japan. 'Blue and White' Ryusuke, who is grieving, makes salt on the day of his wife's funeral, aiming to preserve the local area's salt making history. 'Toma #2' When Toma decides to place his father, who suffers from dementia, in a facility, he discovers an instant camera in his father's room that he had forgotten to develop. 'Kaburagi' Kaburaki, a photographer for a weekly magazine, receives a message from an unknown source tipping him off about an idol he has been chasing. 'Extremely Short' Based on a story by Hideo Furukawa, the short film follows a man searching for the shortest thing in Tokyo. 'The New World' On a sunny June day, Kaname summons old friends to the wilderness with a purpose, but only one arrives.
BBC News
08-04-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
A Minecraft Movie screenings spark raucous reactions among fans
There has been an "exceptional" crowd response to A Minecraft Movie, the UK Cinema Association has said, with many young fans noisily shouting out when certain characters cinema has warned that "anti-social behaviour", including "loud screaming, clapping and shouting will not be tolerated", and videos of exuberant reactions have been widely Cinema Association chief executive Phil Clapp said most of the behaviour has been good-natured, but asked "those taking part to be mindful of the enjoyment of other cinema-goers".Liverpool comedian Sam Avery told the BBC that seeing the film with his 10-year-old sons was "honestly the most joyous cinemagoing experience I've ever had". Based on one of the world's best-selling video games, the film tells the story of four misfits pulled through a mysterious portal into the Overworld – the place where all players start in underwhelming critics' reviews, the film, which boasts a star-studded cast including Jason Momoa, Jack Black and Jennifer Coolidge, made an estimated $300m (£233m) globally at the box office on its opening said he was initially concerned to discover "big gangs of lads in in the cinema all together, aged 14 or 15... and they're being really noisy and laughing and shouting stuff out" before the film began."Basically I'm thinking I'm going to have to be that dad who tells everyone to shut up," he told the he said he need not have soon as the film started, "it goes silent, like the Cannes Film Festival - this incredibly quiet cinema - until Jack Black appears on the screen and says a line from the trailer: 'As a child, I yearned for the mines'".Everyone instantly joined in while clapping and cheering, he said, comparing the response to interactive screenings of The Rocky Horror Picture Black's character reappeared about 20 minutes later with another famous line, "I am Steve", Avery said everyone, himself included, shouted it out at the same moments in the film, including the arrival of the Chicken Jockey - alongside Black's accompanying dialogue - have also caused much audience excitement. "Throughout the whole film, as new characters are introduced, there's this cheer of recognition," Avery it ended, there was a "big round of applause as the credits rolled, something I've never, ever experienced as a British cinema-goer". Rather than spoil his family's enjoyment of the film, he said they loved the audience the film progressed, "more people were getting on board with the atmosphere", he said."You know, we're not watching [Oscar-winning 1996 film] The English Patient here, with nuance and character moments... It's a very loud film, and it's a very visual film."He said there were "bound to be people" annoyed by the noise, but that he and his family were going to go and see it again. "I will be disappointed if it's not the same atmosphere again," he added. Similar reactions have been happening in many cinemas, judging by videos and comments on social person who went to see it in the US wrote that "the theater was insane - teens in suits, shouting lines, cheering like it was a concert".Another said: "That was the wildest theater experience of my life. Most of the audience were middle schoolers and they would clap and hoot and holler whenever one of the meme lines was said or when they recognized something from the game." Clapp said the movie had prompted audience particpation "not seen since the Gentleminions phenomenon of 2022", when some cinemas banned young people wearing suits, making noise and throwing things during Minions: The Rise of Gru, fuelled by a TikTok he echoed that crowd participation could be a positive thing. "At a time when some claim that young people are now foregoing the cinema experience, it's clearly great to see such a high level of engagement," Clapp told the BBC."Our message to those coming along to these screenings would be one of welcome and to please enjoy themselves."That said, and while most of the behaviour is good-natured, we would ask those taking part to be mindful of the enjoyment of other cinema-goers and not to create extra work for cinema staff by throwing popcorn around, and of course not to use their phones to record any part of the film."A Cineworld cinema in Witney, Oxfordshire, has displayed a sign warning people that any form of anti-social behaviour would see them removed without a the chain has now set aside a day for "fans demanding a more interactive experience" by launching "Chicken Jockey Screenings" of the film in 13 April, fans are being encouraged to "dress up, whoop, yelp and clap their way through this block-busting adventure".
Leaders
05-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Leaders
Films at Saudi Theatres Secure SR127 mln Gross in Q1 2025
A Saudi cinema official revealed that film showings at Saudi theatres have seen a significant growth of approximately SR127 million in the first quarter of 2025, Gulf News reported. This achievement marks a 4% increase compared to the first quarter of last year, according to Hany Al Mulla, the Executive Officer of the Cinema Association in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province. Al Mulla also underscored the high turnout at the Saudi theatres during Eid Al Fitr festivities. This increase is driven by the coordination between several sectors in the Kingdom including cultural, entertainment and tourism sectors. Importantly, the Eastern Province has become a prestigious destination for cinema lovers from inside and outside the Kingdom, especially from the Gulf Cooperation Council countries. Al Mulla announced new plans to launch new cinemas equipped with cutting-edge technologies, notably in Khobar and Dammam. In this context, he commended the Kingdom's unwavering support for the local film industry as the government has recently established advanced studios in NEOM, AlUla and Riyadh, along with training courses. Interestingly, the Kingdom has also revealed a significant plan to establish an investment fund to boost filmmaking industry in the Arab world. Related Topics: New Theatre Initiative to Tour Saudi Arabia Golden Pen Diwaniyah Explores Saudi Popular Theatre Evolution The Gulf Theatre Festival Concludes its Activities in Riyadh Short link : Post Views: 46 Related Stories
