This year’s event is dedicated to empowering Arab women by highlighting their stories and addressing the stereotypes that misrepresent their roles and ambitions in society.
The Bahrain Film Festival, supported by Marassi Bahrain and the Saudi Film Commission, began on November 3, 2024. The festival, which runs until November 7, is a key part of the ‘Manama: Capital of Arab Media’ initiative to showcase the region’s cinematic talent and creativity.
This year’s event features a diverse lineup of 89 Arab short films, competing across five categories: short narrative films, short documentaries, student films, animated films, and a special category dedicated to Bahraini films. The fourth edition of the festival is dedicated to empowering Arab women, spotlighting their stories in film, and reshaping prevailing stereotypes that often misrepresent Arab women’s roles and ambitions.
In addition to film screenings, the five-day festival offers attendees the opportunity to attend eight artistic workshops and panel discussions. The workshops present a valuable opportunity for Bahraini youth to engage with the world of cinema, acquire technical and creative skills in cinematography, screenwriting, visual storytelling, and film production. Participants will gain insights into the filmmaking process, from concept and script development to film production.
Each year, the Bahrain Film Festival emphasises the importance of showcasing a wide range of perspectives ensuring that Arab filmmakers continue to share stories that resonate both locally and globally. It aims to be a pivotal platform for nurturing regional talent, fostering collaboration and celebrating the power of Arab storytelling through film.
