4th Saudi Film Festival returns... will we see cinemas in the Kingdom next?

Published March 28th, 2017 - 09:43 GMT

There's a lot of local talent to look forward to. (Twitter)

There might not be a cinema in sight in the ultra-conservative Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, but that hasn't stopped the 4th Saudi Film Festival from pushing its way back into the country.

Hundreds of Saudis made their way to the festival's opening ceremony in Dahran on Monday, where 58 homegrown cinematic works will be screened at the much-anticipated event.

التقاط الصور في السجادة الحمراء قبل بدء الحفل#مهرجان_أفلام_السعودية pic.twitter.com/uIyLetAmNJ
— Saudi Film Festival (@SA_FilmFestival) March 27, 2017

In an online broadcast, the festival's director, Ahmed al-Mulla, welcomed all participants and attendees to the opening ceremony.

"Welcome to all of you, filmmakers, makers of art and makers of hope," Al-Mulla told the local talent.

حفل افتتاح المهرجان #مهرجان_أفلام_السعودية https://t.co/2ZwwrQoGlH
— Saudi Film Festival (@SA_FilmFestival) March 27, 2017

The festival opened with the brilliant docu-film "Wasati" (My Surroundings); based on true events, it re-enacted the events that took place in Riyadh when a group of extremists tried to disrupt a play at a university theater a decade ago.

Not only will filmmakers be proud to see their creations on the big screen, but they'll be able to compete with their peers in four categories as well: Student productions, feature films, documentaries, and unproduced scripts.

سلطان البازعي: استطاعة المهرجان في دورته الرابعة انتقاء الأعمال التي تشارك،دليل على نشوء التنافس @salbazie #مهرجان_أفلام_السعودية 4 pic.twitter.com/Axn43fyMXD
— Saudi Film Festival (@SA_FilmFestival) March 28, 2017

It's refreshing to see the Saudi government sticking to its promise to push forward its cultural agenda.

The Kingdom has recently seen a rapid growth in its entertainment industry by hosting its first ever Comic Con, its first ever YouTube FanFest and by running a series of concerts.

Is that an indication that movie theaters will finally have a place in Saudi? If Amr al-Madani's (head of the government's General Authority for Entertainment) words are anything to go by, then the answer is YES.

"Cinemas will open in the kingdom as soon as this year," Al-Madani promised.

The SFF runs from Monday 27 March - Saturday 1 April.