The winning short film Hadd was chosen from a shortlist of four by an expert judging panel led by Feras Almusharria, Cultural Programs Specialist and Ithra Cinema Programs Developer. Also joining the judging panel were previous recipients of Ithra funding, such as Abubakr Shoukri, director of Ithra-produced Hajjan (2023). Hadd tells a story of family honor and exemplifies the rich cultural narratives and artistic vision emerging from Saudi Arabia’s vibrant film industry. Despite immense tribal pressure, Saeed refuses a ten-million-riyal offer to forgive his son’s killer. As a conspiracy threatens his daughter’s wedding, he makes a daring, last-minute move at the execution ground to outsmart the corrupt and reclaim his family’s honor.
Ithra, in addition to being one of Saudi Arabia’s leading cultural destinations, is one of the Kingdom’s leading indie film production houses and a key player in advancing the Saudi film industry. This 50,000 SAR award is part of Ithra Film Production’s wider funding initiatives and production opportunities that nurture home-grown talent and their creation of original cinematic content. Since 2018, Ithra has produced 37 films and has showcased these at 100 film festivals around the world. Ithra also hosts the annual Saudi Film Festival in partnership with the Saudi Film Commission.
At Ithra, we are proud of our role in supporting the growth of the Kingdom’s film industry, both in front of and behind the camera, by creating opportunities for Saudi talent so that the stories of our people and past are brought to life and reach national and international audiences. It is particularly fitting and thrilling to announce Jamal Kutbi as the recipient of our 50,000 SAR award in Jeddah at the Red Sea International Film Festival, now one of the most significant cinema events in the world and a testament to the increasingly important role of the Saudi film industry on the global stage.
Feras Almusharria, Cultural Programs Specialist and Cinema Programs Developer at Ithra
At this year’s Red Sea International FIlm Festival, Ithra also showcased Mera, Mera, Mera (2024), competing in this year’s RSIFF Red Sea Shorts Competition. Directed by Khaled Zidan, produced by Bakr Alduhaim, and featuring standout performances by Ismael Al-Hassan, Sarah Taibah, and Khaled Yeslam, this short is set in a neighborhood threatened by demolition in Jeddah. The film’s protagonist Saeed suddenly loses his ability to speak، but only one word comes out of his mouth, and this phenomenon leads him to discover a mysterious outcome.
Previous Ithra-supported projects include:
Wasati (2016): Directed by Ali Al-Kalthami, based on true events surrounding the disruption of the play Wasati Without Extremism in 2006, when extremists attacked the theater in Riyadh. Produced by Ithra and Telfaz11, the film highlights the challenges of artistic expression in the face of extremism and has been recognized for its bold storytelling.
Is Sumiyati Going to Hell? (2016): Directed by Meshal Al-Jaser, explores profound questions about morality and humanity through the lens of a seven-year-old narrator. Produced by Ithra and Telfaz11, the film has received international acclaim, winning the Best Short Film Award at the Gold Movie Awards Goddess Nike International Film Festival and the Best Foreign Student Film Award at the Los Angeles Independent Film Festival.
These projects underscore Ithra’s role in nurturing Saudi filmmakers and positioning Saudi Arabia’s rich cultural heritage and creativity on the global stage. By fostering talents like Meshal Al-Jaser and Ali Al-Kalthami, whose works have gained international recognition, Ithra’s funding and mentorship programs have made a lasting impact on Saudi cinema.
About Ithra
The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) is Saudi Arabia’s leading cultural initiative, dedicated to fostering creativity, innovation, and cross-cultural exchange. Ithra’s cinema funding programs provide critical support to Saudi filmmakers, helping them bring compelling stories to life and achieve international success.
For more information, please visit: www.ithra.com.
Follow Ithra on social media: Twitter (@Ithra) and Instagram (@Ithra).
