Meet Hanaa Alfassi: The Rising Star in Saudi Cinema
JEDDAH: In the world of Saudi cinema, filmmaker Hanaa Alfassi is making waves and catching the attention of legendary directors like Haifa Al-Mansour.
Her latest project, titled “When the Shelves Hymn,” previously known as “Bygones,” is a coming-of-age drama currently in post-production. A scene from the film will be showcased at a Film AlUla event during the Cannes Film Festival this week. The film is part of the AlUla Creates initiative, with Al-Mansour serving as one of the mentors on set.
“We were fortunate to have the director Haifaa Mansour provide valuable feedback during the development process,” Alfassi shared with Arab News. “She is a very kind and inspiring filmmaker, and we were glad as a team to have her visit the set.”
Collaborating closely with industry veterans like Moayad Abualkhair and Al-Mansour, Alfassi gained valuable feedback that significantly enhanced the development process.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Hanaa Alfassi was a judge at the 10th Saudi Film Festival in Dhahran
- Her cinematic perspective was shaped during the premiere of ‘Wadjda’ at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2012
- A film she worked on, ‘In Between,’ was selected for the Annecy Film Festival in 2019
- Her journey into digital arts started with a 3D animation course in 1999
Despite challenges faced during the filming of “When the Shelves Hymn,” Alfassi and her team utilized setbacks for in-depth discussions and rehearsals, adding layers to their work.
Filming in the old town of AlUla was a deliberate choice, integrating the narrative with the historic location’s captivating landscapes.
“We were fortunate to have the director Haifaa Al-Mansour provide valuable feedback during the development process.”
– Hanaa Alfassi, Saudi filmmaker
The support from mentors was crucial in fine-tuning the script, enriching the film’s direction, and ensuring a collaborative final product that reflected Alfassi’s vision.
Alfassi’s journey in filmmaking is a compelling narrative of passion, adaptation, and perseverance. She looks forward to participating in more festivals and using platforms like Cannes to expand her network and showcase her work to a global audience.