- First-look at annual programme’s collection of specially chosen productions spotlights the latest wave of creative Saudi filmmakers
- Line-up of 21 diverse films showcases growth of the Kingdom’s vibrant, diverse, and burgeoning movie industry
- The 2025 edition of ‘New Saudi Cinema’ provides audiences with unique insight into topics such as cultural identity, ambition, and the societal trends taking shape across KSA
The Red Sea International Film Festival (RSIFF) has unveiled the first highlights of its highly anticipated fifth edition, lifting the curtain on the “New Saudi Cinema” short films programme. This curated selection presents a diverse array of standout short films from a new wave of Saudi talent, spotlighting exceptional directors, actors, and producers from across the Kingdom. These short films will screen alongside an impressive selection of regional and international titles.
A spotlight on the rapidly maturing and evolving world of Saudi cinema, this year’s programme will feature a collection of 21 of the best new films from KSA. With a diverse mix of genres, subjects, and themes, the films chosen to be part of 2025’s ‘New Saudi Cinema’ programme include short fiction productions, documentaries, and animations.
Representative of the creativity, energy, and ambition of Saudi talent working across the Kingdom’s film industry, the New Saudi Cinema programme received more than 200 submissions from filmmakers this year, providing a unique platform for engagement with new audiences of movie fans while highlighting the ongoing rise of Saudi cinema on the global stage.
An expansive and eclectic collection of productions, the line-up includes authentic Saudi stories that reflect the depth of cultural identity and heritage within contemporary society. The films also delve into diverse themes while addressing some of the major current events shaping our world and region today.
List of selected films:
“Antagonist”
Directed by: Abdul Karim Bawazir
A philosophical film that portrays the character, Ali, through a series of everyday decisions – both good and bad – and their repercussions on daily life.
“Ashura’s Voice”
Directed by: Zaki Alabdullah
Set during Ashura’s procession, a boy with a broken hearing aid – unable to repair it amid citywide closures – hauls a broken speaker through the crowds, driven by a human need to find belonging and meaning.
“Azur”
Directed by: Abdulwahab Bin Shaddad
A grieving son rekindles a lost connection with his late father and their parental relationship after restoring, and finally riding, his dad’s prized bicycle.
“Business Bag”
Directed by: Rwad Khaled
The story follows a young man struggling with work who finds himself chasing his flying bag across Riyadh, discovering the beauty of the city and how to restore balance in his life.
“The Cradle”
Directed by: Mamdouh Salem
The story of Alaa, a young boy who loses his father. Driven by innocence and longing, he discovers the power of love and draws strength from hope and faith.
“ESC”
Directed by: Khaled Nadershah
Trapped by the burden of caring for her family and weighed down by the grief of losing her father, Hulum teeters between pain and the illusion of escape from her dark reality.
“First Funeral Day”
Directed by: Nawaf Al Hoshan
On the first funeral day a father returns to his former home, confronting his ex-wife and grown sons to uncover the truth behind his child’s death.
“The Golden Fish”
Directed by: Meria Saimaldeher
In Jeddah, a fisherman embarks on a quest to capture a colossal golden fish. However, his journey takes an unexpected turn as he encounters numerous challenges that drag him across the ocean.
“Guardian of History”
Directed by: Ali Al-samin
At the National Museum, “the Lion” transforms from a silent relic into a living icon. When a gang attempts to steal it, a tense chase unfolds through the galleries, revealing heritage as a powerful force that safeguards identity and connects past with present.
“Market Dynamo”
Directed by: Ali Baqir Alabdullah
A documentary focused on a day in the life of Bu Wahid, who devoted his retired life to the auction market. Through his sociable nature and sense of humour, he is exposed to funny and unexpected situations.
“Midnight Snack”
Directed by: Abdulmalik Bukhari
This short film follows the quirky and comedic journey of a lonely man uncovering the truth about his midnight cravings – a blend of lighthearted storytelling and meticulous 3D animation.
“Moms Cry Too”
Directed by: Rmas Al-Hazmi
Layla, a new mother living in Florence, is consumed by postpartum depression. Isolated in her apartment while her husband moves through the city, she finds herself trapped between the echoes of her child and the possibility she may be losing herself entirely.
“Mubham”
Directed by: Muhannad Al-zahrani
A short psychological drama that dives into the mind of a troubled man, where reality overlaps with illusion and the truth remains mysterious.
“The Man Who Stumbled by His Words”
Directed by: Mubarak Zawba
A celebrated novelist searches for a cure for his writer’s block, but what begins as a creative struggle soon unravels into a deeper crisis of memory, identity, and time itself.
“Sarih”
Directed by: Abdullah Eskubi
A journey into the depths of a camel shepherd’s life, unveiling a unique bond between him and his environment.
“Scream of an Ant”
Directed by: Lujain Salaam
A melodrama exploring themes of freedom, self-identity, and the complexities of family ties in contemporary Saudi society. It follows Roa, who leaves her family home in search of autonomy, only to find herself overwhelmed by independence.
“Serial Writer”
Directed by: Eslam Shaker & Khaled Abdulfatah
An experimental collaborative film written by 76 people who never met. Each added to what was written before them, without any pre-planned structure. A cinematic exercise in surrendering control.
“Sharshura (The Hearse)”
Directed by: Ahmed Alnasser
Mousa must come to terms with the hidden stories of his own past if he is to fully discover the truth about his life as an orphan and a hearse driver.
“Sarih”
Directed by: Abdullah Eskubi
A journey into the depths of a camel shepherd’s life, unveiling a unique bond between him and his environment.
“The Scene”
Directed by: Lana Komsany
Yosef Khalil’s family are stuck under the rubble of their building that was bombed in Gaza for three days.
“Unknown”
Directed by: Ibrahim Albkeri
In Taif, a young man working as an errand boy in a restaurant struggles to settle his late father’s debts to bury him with dignity.
“Wajoom”
Wajoom is a visually driven psychological film that captures the moment of internal collapse under the pressure of expectations and the loss of identity, leaving the viewer stuck between question and silence.
Directed by: Maan Alsiari.
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