“Hijrah” Wins Golden Palm as Saudi Film Festival Strengthens International Presence
The festival’s 12th edition confirms its transformation from a film showcase into a driving force for Saudi cinema, supporting emerging talent and expanding the industry’s regional and international reach.
The crowning of Hijrah, directed by Shahad Ameen, with the Golden Palm for Best Feature Film at the closing ceremony of the 12th Saudi Film Festival was more than the announcement of a winning film. It symbolized the remarkable progress of Saudi cinema, which has steadily developed its creative and institutional foundations and continues to strengthen its position on both the regional and international film landscape.
Held at the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) in Dhahran under the theme “Every Story is a Journey,” the festival concluded a week of film screenings, professional programs, and cultural activities. Beyond celebrating cinematic achievements, the event served as a platform for industry development, creative collaboration, and strategic partnerships, reflecting the rapid transformation of Saudi Arabia’s film sector.
Hijrah
The success of the festival’s twelfth edition demonstrated that the Saudi Film Festival has evolved far beyond its original role as an annual venue for screening films. It has become a strategic platform that contributes to building a comprehensive cinematic ecosystem. Through its competitions, workshops, industry discussions, and production initiatives, the festival continues to discover emerging Saudi filmmakers, nurture creative talent, and provide a professional environment that enables filmmakers to develop projects capable of competing on the international stage.
One of the festival’s most significant achievements remains its Production Market, which concluded this year by awarding 51 financial and in-kind grants worth more than SAR 4 million—an increase of over 60 percent compared to the previous edition. This remarkable growth reflects increasing confidence in Saudi film projects and highlights a broader investment in every stage of filmmaking, from script development and production to post-production. Such support is helping elevate the quality of Saudi productions and expanding their opportunities to compete internationally.
Spotlight on Korean Cinema
The festival also reinforced its international outlook through initiatives such as “Spotlight on Korean Cinema,” presented in collaboration with the Busan International Short Film Festival, alongside the thematic program “Cinema of the Journey,” which explored themes of identity, memory, and transformation through diverse cinematic perspectives. These initiatives position the festival as a platform for intercultural dialogue and creative exchange, further integrating Saudi cinema into the global film community.
The decision to honor acclaimed Saudi filmmaker Haifaa Al Mansour during the festival’s opening ceremony carried significance beyond recognizing an individual career. It celebrated one of the pioneers who introduced Saudi cinema to international audiences while reinforcing the festival’s commitment to connecting established filmmakers with emerging generations, ensuring the sustainability and continued growth of the Kingdom’s cinematic movement.
The participation of Gulf productions across the festival’s competitions also underscored the event’s growing role as a regional hub for filmmakers. By encouraging collaboration and cultural exchange among Gulf countries, the festival continues to strengthen regional partnerships and promote a more integrated cinematic industry capable of achieving broader international recognition.
Saudi Film
What distinguishes the Saudi Film Festival today is its successful balance between cultural celebration and industry development. While showcasing artistic excellence, it simultaneously invests in the future of Saudi cinema through project development, talent cultivation, and partnerships with local and international institutions.
As the curtain fell on its twelfth edition, the triumph of Hijrah represented more than a prestigious award. It reflected the success of the festival itself in establishing its position as one of the Kingdom’s most influential cinematic platforms—a gateway through which Saudi films can reach wider audiences and secure a stronger presence at regional and international festivals and film markets. In doing so, the festival continues to play a vital role in advancing Saudi Arabia’s cultural transformation and its vision of building a vibrant, sustainable, and globally connected film industry.
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