Saudi Film Festival spotlights “Cinema of Identity” at Ithra
Welcome to Al-Monitor Riyadh.
The 11th Saudi Film Festival kicked off this week at Ithra in Dhahran under the theme “Cinema of Identity.” In Riyadh, the Misk Art Institute unveils a new exhibition featuring Saudi artists Mohammed Alresayes and Khaleel Hassan Khaleel. Meanwhile, the Shebara Resort opens on the Red Sea coast, and Saudi architecture studio Bricklab prepares to launch a book on Jeddah’s urban transformation at the Venice Architecture Biennale.
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Happy reading,
Rebecca
P.S. Have feedback or tips on Riyadh's culture scene? Send them my way at contactus@al-monitor.com.
1. Leading the week: 11th Saudi Film Festival
A view of the 11th edition of the Saudi Film Festival at Ithra. (Courtesy of Ithra)
The Saudi Film Festival, held in the country’s eastern province, has provided a platform for emerging and established Saudi and GCC filmmakers since its founding in 2008. Ithra joined as the event’s strategic partner in 2014. The festival offers space for film screenings, script development and industry networking.
Organized by the Cinema Association in partnership with Ithra and supported by the Film Commission of the Ministry of Culture, this year's 11th edition — held April 17–23 under the theme "Cinema of Identity" — presented a range of Saudi films alongside a special focus on Japanese cinema.
"The 11th edition of the festival represents a culmination of all the transformations the Saudi film industry has gone through in recent years,” Saudi Film Festival director and founder Ahmed Al-Mulla said in a press statement ahead of the opening. “We hope this edition gives Saudi cinema a platform for cross-cultural exchange.”
The festival’s red carpet welcomed Saudi performers Aixa Kay and Khaled Saqer, who co-hosted this year’s ceremony, in addition to major figures from Saudi and global cinema, including Japanese filmmakers Koji Yamamura, Masakazu Kaneko, Naoko Tajima and Ken Oshia.
Marking the festival’s opening is Osama Al Khurayji’s debut film, “Siwar.” Inspired by a true story, the film is written by Rashed Al-Munajjim and tells the tale of Saudi and Turkish newborns who were mistakenly switched at birth.
“Saudi filmmakers bring a blend of authenticity rooted in our landscapes, culture and heritage,” festival vice president Mansour Al-Badran told Al-Monitor. “With sustained support for local talent and storytelling, Saudi cinema is building momentum and carving out its place on the international stage.”
Find more information here.
2. Word on the street: Shebara Resort on the Red Sea
View of Shebara Resort by Red Sea Global on the Red Sea. (Courtesy of Red Sea Global)
One of the kingdom’s most anticipated resorts — an eco-luxury haven on the Red Sea — is now open for bookings. Sheybarah Island, nestled in the tranquil Al Wajh Lagoon on the northeastern coast, is accessible via a 45-minute boat ride or a 30-minute seaplane journey from Red Sea International Airport. The island features a dramatic 30- to 40-meter reef drop-off close to the beach.
Now welcoming guests, the resort promises a luxurious and relaxing escape in a sustainable and spectacular natural setting. Guests can dine at one of its enticing restaurants — Ariamare, Iki, Roe, Lunara, Saria or Solera — or unwind in one of 73 villas, including overwater and beachfront options. Designed by Killa Design, the architecture harmonizes with the surrounding landscape.
Location: Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea
Find more information here.
3. Riyadh diary
Saudi artists Mohammed Alresayes and Khaleel Hassan Khaleel at Misk Art Institute. (Courtesy of the Misk Art Institute)
• Saudi artists Mohammed Alresayes and Khaleel Hassan Khaleel at Misk Art Institute
Misk Art Institute launches the second edition of its solo exhibition series honoring Saudi artists who have shaped the nation’s cultural landscape. This year’s edition features the work of Mohammed Alresayes and Khaleel Hassan Khaleel, presenting 58 pieces that reflect the kingdom’s evolving visual and cultural identity.
Dates: Until Sept. 25
Location: Prince Faisal bin Fahd Art Gallery
Find more information here.
• Layali with Mohammed Hamaki and Ahmed Saad in AlUla
Egyptian stars Mohammed Hamaki and Ahmed Saad are set to take the stage together at the AlUla Skies Festival. Their joint performance, happening on April 25 at the Maraya Concert Hall, marks the duo’s first-ever joint appearance at the festival. The event celebrates the region’s natural beauty through a blend of aerial displays, live music and outdoor adventures.
Date: April 25
Location: Maraya Concert Hall in AlUla
Find more information here.
• Foodsphere celebrates weeklong gastronomical program
Riyadh’s newest culinary hub, Foodsphere, is inviting visitors on a journey through the kingdom’s rich gastronomic heritage. Located in the Tahliya Oasis, the interactive space is hosting a weeklong program of workshops and creative sessions spotlighting the flavors, techniques and traditions of Saudi cuisine.
Date: Until April 28
Location: Tahlia Street, Riyadh
Find more information here.
4. Book of the week: “Saudi Modern — Jeddah in Transition, 1938-1964”
Launching during the opening week of the Venice Architecture Biennale in May, “Saudi Modern: Jeddah in Transition, 1938-1964” is edited by Saudi architects Abdulrahman Gazzaz and Turki Gazzaz of Bricklab. The book examines the urban and architectural transformation of Jeddah from the discovery of oil through to the 1960s — a period of profound socioeconomic change that reshaped the city’s identity. Through 15 case studies and other documentary research, the book traces Jeddah’s evolution from a modest, walled city and pilgrimage hub to a sprawling modern metropolis.
5. View from Riyadh: Ibrahim Sarhan
A portrait of two Mehri children speaking the Mehri language in Saudi Arabia, by Saudi photographer Ibrahim Sarhan.
Saudi photographer Ibrahim Sarhan has made a name for himself by capturing the country’s untold and little-known stories. A photographer and mechanical engineer, he has traveled throughout the kingdom taking photographs of the nation’s people and places that are still largely hidden wonders to the outside world.
See more of his work here.
6. By the numbers
- The Jeddah Historic District is home to over 600 historic buildings.
- Construction on the Jeddah Tower resumed in January 2025, with completion now slated for 2028. Set to reach a height of 1,000 meters (3,281 feet), it is poised to become the tallest building in the world.
- Upon completion, Jeddah Tower will surpass Dubai’s Burj Khalifa by at least 173 meters (567 feet), claiming the title of the world’s tallest building. The project is reportedly expected to cost $1.23 billion.