In a landmark cultural moment, the Saudi Film Commission, in collaboration with Dome Entertainment, unveiled Saudi Film Nights in India, drawing an overwhelming response from cinephiles and industry stalwarts at NFDC, Mumbai, on January 31 and February 1. The event, which marks Saudi Arabia’s growing presence in the global film landscape, showcased a powerful lineup of Saudi films, offering Indian audiences a rare glimpse into the Kingdom’s evolving storytelling tradition.

Following successful screenings in Morocco, Australia, and China, Saudi Film Nights made its way to India with a carefully curated selection of feature and short films. The screenings included “Mashnia’s Life” by Saad Tahaitah, “The Edge” by Ahmed Alqithmi, “Slave” by Mansour Assad, and “Fever Dream” by Faris Godus, each reflecting the nuanced narratives and artistic evolution of Saudi cinema.

Adding to the immersive experience, post-screening discussions with Saudi filmmakers provided an engaging exchange of ideas, shedding light on the Kingdom’s emerging cinematic landscape, cultural narratives, and future collaborations with India. The event created a vibrant space for dialogue, bridging the two dynamic film industries and fostering artistic partnerships.

Speaking on the occasion, Mohomed Morani and Mazhar Nadiadwala, Founders of Dome Entertainment, shared, “Bringing Saudi Film Nights to India is an incredible opportunity to introduce audiences to the depth and diversity of Saudi storytelling. This collaboration is not just about screenings; it is about creating pathways for future Indo-Saudi cinematic partnerships that will push creative boundaries and elevate the global film landscape.”

The event was attended by a distinguished gathering of film personalities, diplomats, and cultural leaders, including Hon HE Suliman Eid Alotaibi, Consul General of Saudi Arabia, Saudi actors Sohayb Godus, Rand Algosaibi, Sara Hindi, Sara Turkiye, Hon HE Shirani Ariyarathne, Acting Consul General of Sri Lanka, Ajith Kumara, Member of Parliament from Sri Lanka, veteran filmmaker Ramesh Sippy, actress Kiran Juneja, Mohamed Morani, Mazhar Nadiadwala, and Alim Morani of Dome Entertainment, Lucky Morani, Zhenya Nadiadwala, international musician and Grammy jury member Anupam Shobhakar, veteran actor Anant Jog, Producer-Director Suneel Darshan, Director Dharmesh Darshan, Raayo Bakhirta, Ankit Tamang, Pooja Tamang, singer Mihir Joshi, producer Saibal Banerjee, Sanket Vanzara, Malti Jain, Insiya Dariwala, Lalita Goenka, Jeet Matharu, Miss India Tourism Runner up and Actress Rupali Suri, film critic and author Bhawana Somaaya, actress Menaka Rai, director Fahad Samji, Jaspinder Narula, jewellery designer Poonam Soni, actor Arjun Bijlani, singer Shibani Kashyap, actress Georgia Andriani, actors Dillzan Wadia and actress Dhriti Saharan, singer- actress Liza Malik, vereran journalists and film critics Chaitanya Padukone, Siraj Sayyed, actir Simran Kapoor, Rajiv Roda, entrepreneur Khushroo Kekobad, producer Nitish Shah among many others.

Saudi Film Nights in India follows the Saudi Film Commission’s previous participation at Film Bazaar Goa 2023, where it hosted the session “Saudi Films in Production” and showcased the Kingdom’s latest developments in cinema. The Saudi Film Commission, a key entity under the Saudi Ministry of Culture, is dedicated to expanding the country’s film industry, supporting Saudi filmmakers, and positioning Saudi cinema on the global stage.

Saudi Film Nights will now showcase in Delhi and Hyderabad, continuing its journey of cultural and cinematic exchange with packed audiences eager to experience the finest in Saudi storytelling. Following an overwhelming response in Mumbai, where cinephiles and industry stalwarts gathered at NFDC to witness a stellar lineup of Saudi films, the initiative moves forward to captivate audiences in India’s capital and the tech hub of Hyderabad.

Building on the momentum of successful screenings in Morocco, Australia, and China, Saudi Film Nights in India presents a thoughtfully curated selection of films, including “Mashnia’s Life” by Saad Tahaitah, “The Edge” by Ahmed Alqithmi, “Slave” by Mansour Assad, and “Fever Dream” by Faris Godus. These films offer a compelling glimpse into Saudi Arabia’s evolving cinematic landscape, reflecting powerful narratives that blend tradition with contemporary storytelling.

The expansion to Delhi and Hyderabad reinforces the Saudi Film Commission’s commitment to fostering global collaborations and strengthening cultural ties between Saudi Arabia and India. Audiences in both cities will also have the unique opportunity to engage with Saudi filmmakers in post-screening discussions, gaining insights into their creative processes and the cultural influences that shape their work.

Speaking about the nationwide reception of Saudi Film Nights, Mohomed Morani and Mazhar Nadiadwala, Founders of Dome Entertainment, shared, “The overwhelming response in Mumbai has been a testament to the power of storytelling that transcends borders. As we bring Saudi Film Nights to Delhi and Hyderabad, we are confident that audiences will embrace the richness and depth of Saudi cinema, paving the way for new collaborations between our industries.”

The massive turnout at NFDC, Mumbai, reaffirmed India’s keen interest in international cinema, while the exchange of ideas between Saudi and Indian filmmakers set the stage for future collaborations. Saudi Film Nights not only introduced audiences to the rich storytelling traditions of Saudi Arabia but also marked a step towards stronger cultural ties between the two nations through the power of cinema.