Aflamna celebrates Saudi film renaissance at Jeddah’s Hayy Cinema

In a major milestone for Saudi Arabia’s emerging movie industry, Jeddah’s Hayy Cinema recently hosted a special event — Aflamna (meaning “our films”) — in collaboration with Cineways, powered by NEOM.

The one-day program treated attendees to screenings of two short Saudi films, followed by conversations with the directors. The event not only showcased the talent within the Kingdom but also celebrated Hayy Cinema’s place as the first independent movie theater in Saudi Arabia.

One of the featured films, “Lucky You’re Mine,” directed by Nora Abu Shusha, tells the story of Ahmad and Salma, a newlywed couple whose marriage is tested when Salma experiences a bipolar manic episode following a tragic event. Despite the challenges the couple face, Ahmad is determined to support his wife. However, their struggle to effectively communicate leads them to a crossroads where the future of their marriage hangs in the balance.

Abu Shusha is a filmmaker who explores interpersonal relationships through a blend of drama and comedy. Her work often touches on themes such as gender, class, love and purpose. She has worked as a writer and producer on documentaries and TV shows for more than a decade. Abu Shusha’s debut short film script for “Lucky You’re Mine” won a production fund award in the Daw Film Competition held by the Saudi Film Commission.

With a passion for storytelling, Abu Shusha continues to create compelling narratives through her own production house in Jeddah.

On showcasing her work at Hayy Cinema, Abu Shusha said: “I have a deep affection for this place, and I take pride in the vibrant activities and talented individuals it houses. In terms of quality, I can confidently compare it to some of the best existing centers.”

Another film showcased at Aflamna was “Sukoon: Addiction of Silence,” produced and co-directed by Ahsan Minhas and Marwan Bakri. Both directors have previous successful films, with Minhas’ “My Dear Fiction” selected at the 1st Red Sea International Film Festival and winning at the Global Film Awards in Los Angeles.

Minhas highlighted the value of showing “Sukoon” in Saudi Arabia: “It has been a wonderful experience to bring a very special and personal film for me to the screens and have audiences experience the cinematic nature of what it’s trying to tell, which is a very personal and universal story at the same time.”

On future work, Minhas said: “We’re working on a proof of concept that is on a very different spectrum in society, pushing Saudi into a different direction with more international but local stories fused together. We already have submitted one for a couple of festivals, and a lot of things are coming up, with three films back to back. Everything is original, mostly written by me, and we’re hoping for a bright future.”

Zohra Ait El-Jamar, senior manager of Hayy Cinema, told Arab News: “Aflamna is an initiative that we’re happy to collaborate on with Cineways. Aflamna, in short, aims at showcasing stories that audiences can identify and relate to.” El-Jamar underlined the importance of the program in supporting the development of the Saudi Arabian film industry by providing a platform for emerging filmmakers to show their work and gain exposure.

El-Jamar highlighted the role of Aflamna in fostering a supportive and collaborative environment, encouraging the exchange of ideas and experiences among filmmakers.

“By promoting local talent and encouraging creativity, Hayy Cinema contributes to the growth and recognition of the Saudi Arabian film industry on a national and international level,” she said. “Given the success of this rendezvous, we are very much looking forward to hosting more Aflamna screenings at Hayy Cinema in collaboration with Cineways.”

Hayy Cinema is launching its autumn program with a focus on local productions while also providing access to international indie films. El-Jamar highlighted how this approach contributes to the development of the Saudi film industry and provides audiences with a wide range of cinematic experiences and genres.

Cineways provides a platform for emerging filmmakers to succeed on an international level by offering comprehensive courses and workshops.

Working closely with NEOM and the Saudi Film Commission, Cineways aims to develop Saudi talent to meet and exceed global standards. Its efforts bridge the gap between local talent and international benchmarks, empowering aspiring filmmakers and elevating the Saudi film industry as a whole.