Saudi Stories Reach the World
By Dr Sameera Aziz
King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture, widely known as Ithra, continues to strengthen Saudi Arabia’s cultural and cinematic presence on the global stage, with its supported films touring 154 international film festivals and winning 60 international awards across 33 countries worldwide.
In a major achievement reflecting the rapid growth of Saudi cinema, Ithra announced that it has funded 123 films, including feature films, documentaries, animated productions, and virtual reality experiences. The initiative demonstrates how Saudi storytelling is increasingly resonating with international audiences through contemporary visual narratives rooted in local culture and identity.
The films supported by Ithra — an initiative of Saudi Aramco — have crossed continents and participated in some of the world’s most prestigious cinematic platforms. The achievement highlights Saudi Arabia’s growing role as an emerging creative and cultural force within the international film industry.
The Center stated that this success comes through several strategic programs designed to support filmmakers and strengthen cinematic production in the Kingdom. These include the Ithra Film Fund, the Ithra Content Enrichment Initiative, and the Creative Solutions Program.
The Ithra Film Fund has financed 40 feature films and focuses on producing high-quality Saudi cinema capable of reaching global audiences. The fund offers both full and co-financing opportunities, helping filmmakers transform local stories into internationally competitive productions.
In addition to film financing, Ithra has continued its long-standing strategic partnership with the Cinema Association to organise the annual Saudi Film Festival since 2014. The festival has evolved into one of the GCC region’s most important cinematic gatherings, serving as a platform for filmmakers, investors, writers, translators, and cultural institutions.
The upcoming twelfth edition of the Saudi Film Festival is scheduled to launch next June, further reinforcing the Kingdom’s growing film ecosystem. Beyond screenings and awards, the festival also contributes to knowledge production by translating and funding film books, with more than 60 publications supported so far.
The festival additionally provides workshops, advanced training courses, and a production market that facilitates partnerships and investment opportunities for future film projects. Ithra noted that this production market has become an important platform connecting cultural institutions, filmmakers, and investors while encouraging sustainable growth in the sector.
As part of its integrated cultural initiatives, Ithra’s Content Enrichment Initiative — organised in partnership with the Cultural Fund — funded 48 documentary and animated films. These productions participated in six international festivals and secured four international awards, highlighting the richness of Saudi culture and the competitiveness of local content on global platforms.
Meanwhile, Ithra’s Creative Solutions Program funded 35 films and virtual reality experiences, which participated in 30 international festivals and earned nine international awards.
As a multidimensional cultural hub, Ithra continues to invest heavily in developing Saudi Arabia’s creative industries by providing filmmakers with world-class facilities, mentorship opportunities, training programs, and access to advanced cinematic resources.
Officially opened to the public in 2018 in Dhahran, Ithra has emerged as one of the Kingdom’s leading cultural destinations. The center includes the Ideas Lab, Library, Theater, Museum, Cinema, Great Hall, Energy Gallery, Children’s Museum, and Ithra Tower, creating a comprehensive environment dedicated to knowledge exchange, creativity, and sustainability.
The remarkable international journey of Ithra-supported films reflects far more than artistic success; it represents a strategic cultural transformation taking place in Saudi Arabia under Vision 2030. The Kingdom is increasingly being recognised not only for energy and economics, but also as a rising force in global culture, creativity, and storytelling.
What makes Ithra’s achievement particularly significant is the diversity of its support system. Rather than focusing solely on commercial cinema, the center is investing in documentaries, animation, educational publishing, virtual reality, and talent development. This creates a sustainable cinematic ecosystem rather than isolated success stories.
Saudi filmmakers are now finding platforms where local narratives can compete globally without losing their cultural authenticity. The participation of Saudi films in 154 international festivals reflects growing international curiosity about Saudi society, heritage, and contemporary identity, while also reinforcing confidence in the Kingdom’s expanding creative sector.
Equally important is the economic dimension. Film production markets, training programs, and international collaborations are opening new pathways for investment, tourism, employment, and cultural diplomacy. The creative economy is steadily becoming a meaningful contributor to national development.
The success of Ithra also demonstrates how cultural institutions can serve as powerful soft-power platforms. Through cinema and storytelling, Saudi Arabia is building deeper cultural dialogue with the world while empowering a new generation of Saudi creators to share their voices internationally.
In many ways, Ithra’s cinematic achievements signal that Saudi cinema is no longer merely emerging — it is arriving confidently on the world stage.
About the Author:
Dr. Sameera Aziz is a senior Saudi journalist, businesswoman, author, poet, and cross-cultural commentator based in Jeddah. Holding a PhD in Mass Media, she is one of Saudi Arabia’s pioneering female journalists, with a strong interest in Vision 2030 and cultural exchange. She can be reached at consultant.sameera.aziz@gmail.com
Enrichment films are shown at international festivals - (Ithra Photo)
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