The Saudi film funding programme selected four features and 11 short films from 170 submissions over the past year.
Saudi Arabia’s film-funding initiative, Ithra Film Production (IFP), has announced the selection of 15 winners from a pool of 170 submissions received over the past year. These emerging Saudi filmmakers are set to see their concepts transformed from ideas on paper to cinematic experiences on silver screens worldwide.
The announcement was made on the sidelines of the 10th edition of the Saudi Film Festival, currently underway at the King Abdulaziz World Cultural Centre (Ithra).
IFP plays a crucial role in nurturing the Kingdom’s burgeoning film industry by supporting local talent and fostering cinematic content through commissioning and co-funding opportunities. The programme aims to showcase Saudi narratives and uncover new voices and creative storytellers, ultimately presenting their films on national and international stages.
Following a rigorous evaluation process of the numerous high-quality submissions, IFP’s selection jury finalised 11 short films and four feature films. These projects offer a diverse range of untold stories crafted by talented storytellers drawing inspiration from Saudi Arabia’s rich cultural tapestry to develop original film concepts.
Among the winners of this cycle are Keys, a feature film directed by Abdulrahman Jarash; Ummi, a feature film written and directed by Hisham Fageeh; Drowning, a feature film written and directed by Majtaba Saeed; and Hijrah, a feature film written and directed by Shahad Ameen. Additionally, a variety of captivating short films have been selected, including My Dear Professor, Abandoned, Irtizaz, Kadi at Omna Hawaa, Marzoug, Doubts, Rogue, Lifeless Struggle, Mera, Mera, Mera, I Am Sila, and Son Badriyah.
Over the past six years, IFP has introduced various initiatives aimed at providing platforms for film producers, elevating filmmaking standards, and empowering new talent. The programme also conducts workshops and seminars covering various aspects of representation, production, writing, and directing.
Since its inception in 2018, IFP has funded 20 titles and produced four films, which have been featured at 95 film festivals worldwide, earning 34 awards. Notably, Hajjan recently clinched three awards at the Gulf Film Festival, including Best Feature, Best Actor, and Best Cinematography.
