Abdu Khal

And the era of overlooking cinema has ended...

July 5, 2026 - 00:03 | Last updated July 5, 2026 - 00:03

Follow Okaz channel on WhatsApp

The Saudi Film Festival has concluded its 12th edition. This festival holds a lasting memory; its steps were determined to succeed from the start, at a time when the social climate prevented any cinematic dream from materializing within the country, and also prevented any artistic success. In those days, many locked away their dreams, settling for producing short films and screening them in neighboring countries.

However, the passion flowing in the veins of creatives was effervescent, and it started from numerous attempts, experimenting and working, and even if success was not written for them, they did not close the doors of their dreams; rather, they planted the seed of the dream here and there, with great difficulty. The Culture and Arts Association in Dammam Club is remembered for its persistent attempts to make the dream of a local cinema come true. The poet Ahmed Al-Mulla was the leader of that dream; he and his team endured hardship to continue, because persistence for success desperately requires repeated attempts. Those attempts bore the first successes, as the first film festival in the Kingdom was launched in 2008 under the name Saudi Film Festival, opening its first edition in the presence of Minister of Culture and Information Iyad Madani. That was the first official step, and before that step there were dozens of steps that did not break the ban, but remained a memory, folded and disappeared into history that witnessed everything that happened, and will be told in the coming days. This repetition of those experiences is nothing but joy at the success of the festival in its 12th edition.

With this conclusion, the experience has gained deep expertise, leading to success through creative films that can break into the Arab market. And because it is a profitable market for investors, we will see businessmen rushing to invest in it. Indeed, those who witnessed the old harassment in banning cinema will feel the happiness of the success of the experiment and the empowerment of filmmakers to present their creative ideas seeking excellence..