BAHRAINI film-maker Omar Farooq has won the ‘Best GCC Documentary’ award for his gripping film The Dark Side of Japan at the 11th Saudi Film Festival which concluded on Wednesday night at Ithra in Dhahran.
The Golden Palm Awards were presented for the official competitions at the event, which also featured the screening of a documentary honouring this year’s celebrated artist, renowned Saudi actor and poet Ibrahim Al Hasawi, who has appeared in 45 theatre productions, 90 television series and 15 films.
The festival was organised by the Cinema Association in partnership with the King Abdulaziz Centre for World Culture (Ithra) and supported by the Saudi Film Commission.
The theme of this year’s festival was “Stories To Be Seen and Told” with a strong emphasis on identity cinema. A wide range of films delved into themes of memory, belonging and a sense of place, offering perspectives that were personal, social and artistically rich.
Mr Farooq in a still from the film
“Mr Farooq is one of Bahrain’s most recognised media figures, known for his bold, investigative storytelling and for using film and digital platforms to bridge cultures and spark conversation,” said an Ithra statement yesterday.
“His film offers a deeply personal and thought-provoking look into hidden social issues in Japanese society, told with both cinematic finesse and emotional clarity.
“His win represents a major milestone not only for his career but for Bahraini documentary film-making as a whole, reinforcing the region’s growing presence on the wider cinematic stage.”
The 45-minute-long film, which premiered at the Sync Digital Wellbeing Summit 2024 at Ithra, explores social issues in Japan relating to the overuse of technology, addiction, isolation, suicide and more.
In the Best Feature Film category, the Golden Palm went to My Driver and I (2024) by Saudi director Ahd Kamel.
The Best Actor award was presented to Saudi Meshal Al Mutairi for his performances in Hobal (2024) and Holes (2024).
The Iraqi film Songs of Adam (2024) by director Oudai Rashid won Best Gulf Feature Film award, while Hobal (2024), Siwar (2025) and Holes (2024) received special mentions.
The Best Short Film award went to Mera Mera Mera (2024) by Saudi director Khaled Zidan, with Sharshoura (2025) by Saudi Ahmed Al Nasr earning the Abdullah Al Muhsin Award for Best First Film.
Delusion by Omani director Issa Al Subhi was named Best Gulf Short Film, while Othman in the Vatican (2024) by Saudi Yasser bin Ghanem won in the Best Documentary Film category.
The Jabal Tuwaiq Award for Best Film about a Saudi city went to Qarn Almnazil by director Meshal Suheim Althobiti and The Dark Side of Japan by Farooq won Best GCC Documentary Film award.
The jury comprised distinguished filmmakers and critics from within Saudi Arabia and abroad.
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