Saudi Film Festival

مهرجان السينما السعودي

View on map
Arts & CultureDhahran
DatesDates TBA · Usually MayCheck locally before booking
DurationSpringEstimate from available data
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forPerformance, exhibitionsThe festival's home, Ithra
Language["ar"]Currency: SAR
CategoryArts & CultureFestival type
The story

Saudi Film Festival in Dhahran

The Saudi Film Festival is the kingdom's leading showcase for homegrown cinema, held annually at the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture, known as Ithra, in Dhahran, and organized by the Saudi Film Council to screen and award short and feature films by Saudi directors.

For much of the twentieth and early twenty-first centuries, Saudi Arabia had no public cinemas and little formal film infrastructure, though informal screenings persisted in private compounds and, in the 1950s, in courtyard ahwash cinemas in cities like Dhahran.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

The festival's home, Ithra, is itself a landmark: a striking cultural complex built by Saudi Aramco and opened by King Salman in December 2016, housing a cinema, library, museum, and theater purpose-built for exactly this kind of programming

02

The mystery stays covered

The festival predates Saudi Arabia's 2018 reopening of commercial cinemas, having grown out of earlier, smaller amateur film gatherings into an officially organized competition once the Saudi Film Council took charge of the national film industry's development

03

The city starts moving

Its Eastern Province setting, in Aramco's home city of Dhahran, also sets it apart from the Riyadh- and Jeddah-centered cultural calendar, giving Saudi Arabia's oil-producing region its own flagship cultural showcase

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The festival reflects Saudi Arabia's rapid

Water and renewal

Living ritual

government-driven build-out of a film industry that barely existed publicly a decade ago

The sacred route

Living ritual

when cinemas were banned

The local code

Living ritual

it now functions as a training ground and prestige platform for young Saudi directors working within a still-developing national cinematic tradition rather than drawing on centuries-old customs

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually May

Getting around

For Saudi Film Festival, plan transport around the exact Dhahran venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.

What to wear

Smart, modest attire is appropriate for red-carpet and award-ceremony sessions, while daytime screenings call for standard modest dress: covered shoulders and knees for women and long...

Safety

Keep valuables light, follow local instructions, and watch how residents use the space before joining in.

Where to stay

For Saudi Film Festival, stay near the part of Dhahran you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

["ar"] · SAR

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map26.29 N, 50.11 EOpen in Google Maps

Dhahran, Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia

Nearest airportDHA — King Abdulaziz Air Base
TransportFor Saudi Film Festival, plan transport around the exact Dhahran venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.
Stay areaFor Saudi Film Festival, stay near the part of Dhahran you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Dhahran via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Dhahran, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for May.Compare faresFestival gearSmart, modest attire is appropriate for red-carpet and award-ceremony sessions, while daytime screenings call for standard modest dress: covered shoulders and knees for women and long trousers for men, suited to Ithra's air-conditioned indoor venues.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Saudi Arabia and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

We may earn a small commission from trusted travel partners at no extra cost to you.

FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Saudi Film Festival?

Saudi Film Festival is listed for May · Spring. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Saudi Film Festival take place?

The festival is listed in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

Spring is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Dhahran, Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLfactmagazines.com
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually May
Source statusOfficial source linked
Related festivals

Continue the route.

Photo pending

Buenos Aires International Book Fair

Past edition: 23 April–11 May 2026

Buenos Aires, Argentina
Photo pending

Cairo International Book Fair

Past edition: 21 January–3 February 2026

Cairo, Egypt
Photo pending

Pageant of the Masters

Not represented as one continuous festival occurrence

Laguna Beach, United States
Photo pending

Annecy International Animation Film Festival

Past edition: 8–14 June 2025

Annecy, France

Spotted something out of date? Submit a correction →