These films represent some of the best of Saudi filmmaking, reflecting the creativity, culture, and humor of the Saudi people. We want to bring these films to American audiences who are intrigued yet often misinformed by the media about Saudi life and values. These filmmakers represent the future of Saudi film and offer a look at its independent film scene American audiences would otherwise not be privy to.
These films were all screened as part of past editions of the Arab Film Festival presented by the Arab Film and Media Institute with the exception of NOUR SHAMS which is a new film highlighted as part of this event.
Nour Shams
Single mother SHAMS is an Uber driver in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, with two obsessions: her only child Makki and her African desserts. Shams struggles to get Makki married or to get any interest in her desserts. In fact Makki wants to participate in a hip-hop competition, which could lead to his winning an extended trip to France, separating him and her mother for the first time in their lives. Shams is forced to decide which is more important, keeping her son, or finding herself.
Festivals and Awards
Palm Springs International ShortFest - USA
Tirana Int’l Short Film Festival - Albania
International Short Film Festival of Cyprus - Cyprus
Kerry International Film Festival - Ireland
Middle East Now Film Festival - Italy
El Gouna Film Festival - Egypt Asti Film Festival - Italy
Red Sea International Film Festival - Saudi Arabia
About the filmmaker
Faiza Ambah is an award-winning writer/director/producer and former Washington Post correspondent based in Saudi Arabia. Her directorial debut short film, MARIAM (2015) won numerous international awards, including being showcased at UNESCO in Paris, the Scottish Parliament, and is continually being screened at universities around the world. Faiza was also involved in the production of SANCTITY (Berlinale 2013) and AVE MARIA (Cannes, Oscars 2015).
- Year2021
- Runtime26 minutes
- LanguageArabic
- CountrySaudi Arabia, United States, United Kingdom
- DirectorFaiza Ambah
- ScreenwriterFaiza Ambah
- ProducerBasil Khalil
- CastAisha Al Rifaie, Ahmad Saddam
- CinematographerLasse Ulvedal Tolboll
- EditorAntoine Rodet, Jad Dani Ali Hassan
- MusicAmine Bouhafa
These films represent some of the best of Saudi filmmaking, reflecting the creativity, culture, and humor of the Saudi people. We want to bring these films to American audiences who are intrigued yet often misinformed by the media about Saudi life and values. These filmmakers represent the future of Saudi film and offer a look at its independent film scene American audiences would otherwise not be privy to.
These films were all screened as part of past editions of the Arab Film Festival presented by the Arab Film and Media Institute with the exception of NOUR SHAMS which is a new film highlighted as part of this event.
Nour Shams
Single mother SHAMS is an Uber driver in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, with two obsessions: her only child Makki and her African desserts. Shams struggles to get Makki married or to get any interest in her desserts. In fact Makki wants to participate in a hip-hop competition, which could lead to his winning an extended trip to France, separating him and her mother for the first time in their lives. Shams is forced to decide which is more important, keeping her son, or finding herself.
Festivals and Awards
Palm Springs International ShortFest - USA
Tirana Int’l Short Film Festival - Albania
International Short Film Festival of Cyprus - Cyprus
Kerry International Film Festival - Ireland
Middle East Now Film Festival - Italy
El Gouna Film Festival - Egypt Asti Film Festival - Italy
Red Sea International Film Festival - Saudi Arabia
About the filmmaker
Faiza Ambah is an award-winning writer/director/producer and former Washington Post correspondent based in Saudi Arabia. Her directorial debut short film, MARIAM (2015) won numerous international awards, including being showcased at UNESCO in Paris, the Scottish Parliament, and is continually being screened at universities around the world. Faiza was also involved in the production of SANCTITY (Berlinale 2013) and AVE MARIA (Cannes, Oscars 2015).
- Year2021
- Runtime26 minutes
- LanguageArabic
- CountrySaudi Arabia, United States, United Kingdom
- DirectorFaiza Ambah
- ScreenwriterFaiza Ambah
- ProducerBasil Khalil
- CastAisha Al Rifaie, Ahmad Saddam
- CinematographerLasse Ulvedal Tolboll
- EditorAntoine Rodet, Jad Dani Ali Hassan
- MusicAmine Bouhafa