‘New Saudi Voices 2’ from Netflix shines a spotlight on Saudi Arabia’s film industry

Netflix has announced the second volume of short films of its “New Saudi Voices ” collection, as part of its efforts to support the flourishing film industry in Saudi Arabia.

The collection features 13 short films by Saudi talent, spanning a vast selection of genres including feel-good movies, drama, fantasy, romance, and more. The films are crafted with unique storylines and highlight cultural nuances within the Saudi community, showcasing the artistic minds of the creators.

The films in this year’s collection were picked from the Red Sea International Film Festival. Two of them, ‘When Red Blooms’ by Tala Alharbi and ‘The Child in His Closet’ by Khaled Zeidan, were winners in the festival’s 48-hour Filmmaking Challenge. ‘VHS Tape Replaced’ by Maha Saati, and ‘Yallah, Yallah Beenah’ by Mohammed Hammad were also supported by the festival’s Red Sea Fund.

The collection includes the works of award-winning writer Faisal Buhaishi, whose film ‘Last Chance to Fal in Love’ follows the touching story of an old man reuniting with his first love after 50 years. Fictional dramas such as ‘Old Phone Number’ by Ali Saeed and ‘Zabarjad’ by Hussain Almutliq, explore the themes of character growth while holding on to parts of one’s past life. Movies from the fantasy genre include ‘A Swing’ by Raneem and Dana Almohandes follows the journey of a 10-year-old girl trekking through the woods to find a magical swing her father used to tell her about. Nora Abu Shusha highlights the untold struggles of married life with ‘Lucky you’re mine’, while Mohammed Baqer uses ‘Tea Leaf’ to artistically articulate the pain and regret that comes with failed relationships. ‘Requiem for Silence’ by Majed Z. Samman, ‘Forward’ by Fahad Alotaibi, and ‘Othman’ by Khaled Zeidan, see storylines filled with drama, changing each respective character’s life trajectory. 

Nuha el Tayeb, Director, Content, Middle East, Africfa and Turkey, Netflix notes: “The second volume is not just a collection of short films; it is a celebration of untold stories, and a testament to the creative prowess of the emerging filmmakers. As these captivating tales find their home on Netflix, they transcend borders and allow viewers  to experience the beauty and dynamism of Saudi culture. We believe great stories can come from anywhere and be loved by anyone.”

The entertainment landscape in the Kingdom is rapidly evolving and Netflix continues to amplify Saudi voices by launching Netflix originals such as ‘Al Khallat +’, ‘Masameer County’, ‘Whispers’, and more recently, ‘Ras B Ras’.

The New Saudi Voices 2 films will be available on Netflix on October 6, 2023.