Saudi Film Festival 2023: Lights, Camera, Action!
The 10th Saudi Film Festival is set to kick off on May 2 at the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) in Dhahran, promising a cinematic extravaganza like never before.
A Glitzy Affair
This year’s festival, organized by the Cinema Society in collaboration with Ithra and backed by the Ministry of Culture, will showcase 76 film screenings and 53 titles competing for 36 prestigious awards. The red carpet will be rolled out on both opening and closing nights, with a star-studded lineup of filmmakers, actors, and film enthusiasts gracing the event.
Exciting Lineup
According to festival director Ahmed Al-Mulla, this year’s edition is gearing up to be the grandest yet, attracting attention from the GCC film community. The festival has evolved over the past decade into a must-attend event, with SFF vice president Mansour Al-Badran highlighting its growing importance and popularity in the region’s film circles.
Themes and Highlights
The festival will delve into two main themes this year: Indian cinema and sci-fi films. The Indian Cinema program aims to shed light on India’s diverse film industry beyond Bollywood, showcasing Indian indie movies rarely seen in the Gulf region. The festival will also feature workshops, cultural seminars, and special programming for children.
The Plaza at Ithra will offer a cutting-edge Virtual Production Experience (NeoCyb) where live-action film meets digital environments in real-time, revolutionizing the filmmaking process with advanced technologies.
Additionally, the festival will host a production market bringing together filmmakers, producers, and investors to collaborate and drive the growth of the film industry in Saudi Arabia.
Competition and Awards
A total of 53 features, shorts, and documentaries will compete for 36 prizes across categories such as Film Competition, Unexecuted Screenplay Competition, and Production Market Projects Competition. A new category, The Golden Palm, will recognize the best Saudi documentary on the environment and the top animated short film on the same subject.
Celebrating Film Pioneers
The festival will pay tribute to Saudi actor Abdulmohsen Al-Nemer and Syrian director Mohammad Malas for their contributions to the film industry. Al-Nemer’s illustrious career and Malas’s groundbreaking work will be honored during the event, highlighting their impact on cinema in the region.