Now in its sixth edition, Saudi Film Festival is a cultural staple, and even coronavirus couldn’t slow it down. The film festival has now taken a digital turn and is more accessible than ever, with six days of film screenings set to take place on YouTube.
Straight on the festival’s YouTube channel, the festival will kick off its programme from 6pm to 11pm daily, starting on September 1. The programme includes an astounding 54 film screenings, alongside panels and talks with the filmmakers taking part.
With an ultimate goal of showcasing Saudi talent and elevating Saudi Arabia’s budding cinema scene, the programme is not short of local films. Among them is Exit 5, a drama by Saudi filmmaker Khaled Nadershah that explores the societal expectations set on women in his native country.
Remember Me by Mohammed Hammad
Where Do I Sleep by Husam Al-Sayed
Also on the roster is Remember Me, a film by director Mohammed Hammad that’s been described by the director as an ode to Al Balad, a historic neighbourhood in Makkah—in which he cast local neighbourhood kids as actors.
Where Do I Sleep by Saudi-based Palestinian filmmaker Husam Al-Sayed will be screening during the festival as well. The film is said to be story about inner reflection, with the protagonist’s insomnia being a major theme.
Main image: Exit 5 by Khaled Nadershah
