The Saudi Film Festival has kicked off its tenth edition in Dhahran, Eastern Province, which is considered one of the most prominent platforms promoting the promising film industry in the Kingdom. This year, the festival has adopted "Science Fiction Cinema" as its theme to encourage filmmakers to produce works in this genre. During the opening ceremony, Hana Al-Amir, Chairwoman of the Saudi Cinema Society, stated, "We celebrate ten editions of the festival, which is an exceptional cinematic event that reflects the accumulation that has started to achieve part of our aspirations. We decided to make the identity of this edition science fiction, the hardest and rarest genre in Arab cinema. However, we are confident that greater familiarity with it will enable us to produce ideas for works that achieve the artistic quality and distinction we aspire to."
**Enhancing Cinematic Culture**
Al-Amir added, "Since we strive each time to present ongoing initiatives to enhance cinematic culture, we have launched the Saudi Cinematic Encyclopedia project, which will have 22 titles released alongside this edition, targeting 100 titles in its first year." In her speech, she announced the launch of a program that highlights international cinematic experiences by focusing on Indian cinema and getting to know its independent films and key figures from among artists and influencers. She also announced the establishment of Cinematheque Khobar, a cultural cinema center that will provide many advantages, services, and events for filmmakers, and a trial launch will take place during this edition.
During the opening ceremony, Saudi artist Abdul Mohsen Al-Nimer, 60, who began his artistic career in 1981 and has appeared in dozens of television series and several films, the most recent being "Hajan" by director Abu Bakr Shawky, was honored. A video presentation showcased Al-Nimer's contributions, and he greeted his family, saying, "Your success in art is never separate from your success as a father, husband, and brother. Thank you for being in my life."
**Film Screenings and Workshops**
The festival, which runs until May 9, is organized by the Cinema Society in partnership with the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture "Ithra," and will showcase more than 70 films, both feature and documentary. In parallel with film screenings, the festival organizes seven training workshops in independent filmmaking, acting in front of the camera, storytelling, film production, and arts journalism, in addition to three lectures on film distribution strategies, virtual production, and filmmaking. The festival will also host a "Production Market," which serves as a space for idea exchange, networking among filmmakers, producers, financiers, and Saudi talents, as well as marketing cinematic projects.
