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12th Saudi Film Festival Opens at Ithra with Broad International Participation

12th Saudi Film Festival Opens at Ithra with Broad International Participation
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12th Saudi Film Festival Opens at Ithra with Broad International Participation

12th Saudi Film Festival Opens at Ithra with Broad International Participation

The 12th edition of the Saudi Film Festival has opened at the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra), an initiative of Saudi Aramco, bringing together prominent figures from the local, regional, and international film communities, as well as filmmakers, film critics, and cinema enthusiasts from across the industry.

Organized by the Cinema Association in partnership with Ithra and supported by the Film Commission, the festival runs from June 26 to July 2, 2026, under the theme “Every Story is a Journey.” The theme celebrates filmmaking as a creative journey that begins with the spark of an idea and scriptwriting, moves through the challenges of production, and culminates in screening, where stories meet their audiences, SPA reported.

This year’s edition received 314 submissions, including 249 films and 65 production market projects. A total of 27 films were selected for the official competitions, while six films will be presented in parallel screenings, bringing the festival lineup to 50 films from more than 15 countries.

Participating films will compete for nine Golden Palm Awards across feature-length fiction, short fiction, and documentary categories, highlighting Saudi, Gulf, Arab, and international cinematic talent.

The festival program also features specialized panel discussions, masterclasses, training workshops, book-signing sessions for publications from the Saudi Cinema Encyclopedia, and the “Meet the Experts” program, which offers one-on-one mentoring sessions with professionals in production, directing, editing, film criticism, festival programming, and project development.

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Culture

Red Sea Museum Showcases Centuries of Islamic Maritime Navigation Heritage

Among the museum's highlights are Qibla indicators and magnetic compasses used to determine the direction of Makkah - SPA
Among the museum's highlights are Qibla indicators and magnetic compasses used to determine the direction of Makkah - SPA
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Red Sea Museum Showcases Centuries of Islamic Maritime Navigation Heritage

Among the museum's highlights are Qibla indicators and magnetic compasses used to determine the direction of Makkah - SPA
Among the museum's highlights are Qibla indicators and magnetic compasses used to determine the direction of Makkah - SPA

The Red Sea Museum in Historic Jeddah showcases a rich legacy of Islamic maritime heritage through a collection of Qibla indicators, compasses, and sundials that reflect the scientific knowledge and craftsmanship behind navigational tools used by sailors, merchants, and pilgrims for centuries.

The collection includes more than 20 historical navigational instruments, some dating back over 400 years, inscribed with Quranic verses, the call to prayer (adhan), and supplications, reflecting a fusion of scientific knowledge and Islamic cultural heritage, according to SPA.

Among the museum's highlights are Qibla indicators and magnetic compasses used to determine the direction of Makkah, as well as sundials that helped calculate prayer times based on the sun's movement.

Through its exhibits, the museum preserves the legacy of Islamic navigation and highlights the Red Sea’s historic role, enriching the visitor experience and supporting efforts to enhance Historic Jeddah’s standing as a global cultural destination.

Culture

Majnad: Traditional Hunting Belt Preserves Saudi Arabia's Cultural Heritage

These heritage pieces showcase the exceptional craftsmanship of traditional leatherworking and illustrate the evolution of hunting equipment across successive generations - SPA
These heritage pieces showcase the exceptional craftsmanship of traditional leatherworking and illustrate the evolution of hunting equipment across successive generations - SPA
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Majnad: Traditional Hunting Belt Preserves Saudi Arabia's Cultural Heritage

These heritage pieces showcase the exceptional craftsmanship of traditional leatherworking and illustrate the evolution of hunting equipment across successive generations - SPA
These heritage pieces showcase the exceptional craftsmanship of traditional leatherworking and illustrate the evolution of hunting equipment across successive generations - SPA

The Majnad, also known as the traditional leather hunting belt, is a heritage item closely associated with hunting expeditions and travel in Saudi Arabia, forming part of the Kingdom’s cultural and social memory and reflecting historical ways of life as well as the equipment once crafted to meet the practical needs of traditional hunters.

The cultural heritage museum in Rafha Governorate, Northern Borders Region, houses a collection of these handcrafted leather belts, documenting an important aspect of traditional hunting practices and the lifestyles that prevailed in earlier times.

Made from durable natural leather, these belts were among the most essential accessories for hunters. They feature pockets of varying sizes for carrying ammunition and other hunting essentials, along with a chest harness that provided greater comfort and freedom of movement. Sturdy metal buckles ensured durability and reliable performance during long hunting trips, SPA reported.

These heritage pieces showcase the exceptional craftsmanship of traditional leatherworking and illustrate the evolution of hunting equipment across successive generations. Today, they stand as valuable cultural artifacts preserved by private museums and heritage enthusiasts committed to safeguarding Saudi Arabia’s rich legacy.

Private museums throughout the Kingdom continue to document and protect these rare heritage objects, helping raise public awareness of the nation’s cultural legacy, strengthen connections between younger generations and the lives of their ancestors, and preserve the Kingdom’s cultural heritage for future generations.

Culture

What Historical Legacy Makes Mount Uhud One of Madinah’s Most Visited Landmarks?

Mount Uhud, one of Madinah's most prominent landmarks and its largest mountain. (SPA)
Mount Uhud, one of Madinah's most prominent landmarks and its largest mountain. (SPA)
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What Historical Legacy Makes Mount Uhud One of Madinah’s Most Visited Landmarks?

Mount Uhud, one of Madinah's most prominent landmarks and its largest mountain. (SPA)
Mount Uhud, one of Madinah's most prominent landmarks and its largest mountain. (SPA)

Mount Uhud, one of Madinah's most prominent landmarks and its largest mountain, extends for approximately seven kilometers north of the Prophet's Mosque. Recognized for its distinct rocky formation and reddish hue, the mountain holds deep historical significance stemming from its connection to the life of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), the Saudi Press Agency said on Friday.

The mountain’s foothills serve as a profound landscape where Islamic memory intertwines with history, as it marks the site of the historic Battle of Uhud fought in the third year of the Hijra.

The location also encompasses the cemetery of the Uhud martyrs, containing the graves of several of the Prophet's companions.

Visiting the landmark remains a vital itinerary for Muslims seeking to reflect on pivotal chapters in Islamic history and the early legacy of Madinah.