Eleven captivating documentary films showcased at Hayy Jameel in Jeddah.
Acclaimed director Spike Lee joins the program with a screening of “4 Little Girls”
Five Saudi documentary films highlighting the Kingdom’s rich heritage featured in the program.
The Red Sea Film Foundation, in collaboration with Art Jameel, announces the return of the acclaimed “Documentary Film Days,” now in its third edition, at Hayy Cinema, Saudi Arabia’s first independent cinema and audiovisual center in Jeddah. The event, scheduled to run from May 3 to May 7, offers an exciting selection of documentary films from around the world, aiming to foster cultural exchange and enrich the local cinematic scene.
This year’s edition of “Documentary Film Days” features eleven exceptional screenings, taking audiences on an inspiring cinematic journey. “4 Little Girls” by the world-renowned filmmaker Spike Lee, a historical documentary revisiting a tragic chapter of American history—the bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, that killed four young African-American girls.
From Palestine, filmmaker Areeb Zuaiter takes us through a journey of hope and resilience in “Yalla Parkour,” exploring the story of a young parkour athlete navigating life in Gaza, where past struggles meet an uncertain future.
From Saudi Arabia, “When the Light Shines” by director Ryan AlBishri presents the inspiring journey of HRH Prince Faisal bin Abdullah and his role in founding the Layan Cultural Foundation, using art to preserve and showcase the nation’s rich heritage.
The mountainous landscapes of the Asir region come alive through “Aseer Memory” by director Saeed Tuhatih, chronicling the dedication of Mohammed Abdulmutalli to collecting rare manuscripts and artifacts documenting Asir’s history. Meanwhile, filmmaker Yasser bin Ghanem portrays the artistic journey of Saudi artist Othman Al-Khuzaim in “Othman in the Vatican,” tracing his path from Al-Kharj to the Vatican City. From the western region of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed Ous captures the intricate stories and craftsmanship behind the traditional wooden roshan windows in his film “AlRoshan.” The Saudi short “Kemokazi” by Abdulrahman Batawie follows the life of the graffiti artist “Kimo” and his inner struggles between traditional and street art expressions.
International highlights include “Dahomey” by director Mati Diop, a powerful documentary tracing the restitution of 26 royal treasures from France to Benin. “Tell Them About Us” by Rand Beiruty sheds light on the coming-of-age stories of migrant girls in Germany. “My Way” by Thierry Teston and Lisa Azuelos explores the incredible journey of the legendary song made famous by Frank Sinatra. Finally, from Egypt, “The Brink of Dreams” directed by Nada Riyadh and Ayman El Amir follows a group of young Coptic women in Southern Egypt as they challenge social traditions by founding an all-female street theater troupe amidst societal and cultural constraints.
In addition to the screenings, a series of post-screening discussions and Q&A sessions will be held, featuring distinguished filmmakers and industry talents. Spike Lee, Ryan AlBishri, Ahmed Mattar, Yasser bin Ghanem, Mohammed Ous, and Saeed Tuhatih will join audiences to share insights into their creative journeys and the making of their films. MAFLAM, the Saudi filmmaking learning platform will intervene the following weekend for a special ‘In Conversation’ event focusing on the pivotal role of women in documentary filmmaking.
Schedule and Showtimes:
May 3
“4 Little Girls” – 6:45 PM (Followed by a Q&A with director Spike Lee)
“Yalla Parkour” – 9:00 PM (Followed by a Q&A with actor Ahmed Mattar)
May 4
Saudi Documentary Screenings – 6:30 PM (Followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers):
Kef Hayyak? 2025 3 winning films
“When the Light Shines” (Ryan AlBishri)
“Othman in the Vatican” (Yasser bin Ghanem)
“AlRoshan” (Mohammed Ous)
“Kemokazi” (Abdulrahman Batawie)
“Aseer Memory” (Saeed Tuhatih)
“Dahomey” – 9:00 PM
Cine-Concert ‘The little girl who sold the sun’ by Djibril Diop Mambéty, along with the French Senegalese Oriki Collective – 10PM – Free to attend, registration here
May 5
“Tell Them About Us” – 7:00 PM
“My Way” – 9:00 PM
May 7
“The Brink of Dreams” – 9:00 PM
The “Documentary Film Days” offers a unique opportunity for film lovers and cinema enthusiasts to explore powerful storytelling, engage with filmmakers, and dive deeper into the art and impact of documentary filmmaking.
For tickets and program details, please visit: HERE.
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