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Effat University, JeddahEvent Details
Effat University’s international student film festival returns this April with an expanded global reach, stronger Saudi participation and a programme that brings together screenings, industry dialogue and practical learning for emerging filmmakers.
Event Details
13th Showreel – Effat International Student Film Festival
7–9 April 2026
Effat University, Jeddah
Additional evening programme at Hayy Jameel, 8 April 2026
Effat University will present the 13th edition of Showreel from 7 to 9 April 2026, organised by the School of Cinematic Arts. Recognised as Saudi Arabia’s first international student film festival, Showreel continues to provide a platform for emerging filmmakers, offering student work visibility, exchange and opportunities for professional development.
This year’s edition is framed by the theme When Stories Live!, reflecting a focus on storytelling as a cinematic and immersive experience. The theme highlights the transformation of ideas into visual narratives and positions the festival as a space where emerging voices connect with audiences, institutions and industry professionals.
The scale of the 2026 edition reflects the festival’s growing international profile. The programme received 2,783 submissions from more than 95 countries, up from 2,217 the previous year. Saudi participation also increased, with 72 films submitted from 10 universities, indicating a strengthening local presence within an increasingly global platform.
Over three days, the programme brings together international and Saudi student film screenings, alongside workshops and industry sessions designed to support both creative and professional development. Sessions include Painting with Light, Sony Cinematic Cameras with Ashraf Alftieh, The Art of Documentary Interview with Danya Alhamarani, 3D Animation Production Overview with Blake Donovan and Film Festival Strategies with Aneta Ozorek, in addition to contributions from MBC Academy, Manga Productions and other industry partners.
The structure of the programme reflects the festival’s educational dimension. Screenings are complemented by technical workshops, discussions on documentary practice and criticism, animation sessions and conversations around employability in the film sector. This positions Showreel as both a cultural event and a training platform that connects storytelling with industry practice.
A key highlight of this year’s edition is the participation of Mohamed Al Daradji, who will deliver the session When the Director is the Producer on 7 April. He will also be recognised as a guest of honour during the closing ceremony on 9 April, alongside figures from Saudi Arabia and the wider region, including Abdulmohsen Alnimer, Ahmed Helmy, Aneta Ozorek, Dr Essam Bukhari and Fred Wang.
The programme also extends beyond the Effat campus. On 8 April, the festival moves to Hayy Jameel for an evening of Saudi student film screenings, followed by Filmmaking Lifestyle: Achieve the Dream, featuring Aziz Gharabawi, Khaled Yaslam and Hakeem Juma. This extension into a wider cultural venue introduces a more public-facing dimension and situates student film within Jeddah’s broader creative landscape.
The closing ceremony, scheduled for 9 April at Effat Hall, will include a red carpet reception, guest speakers, musical performances, recognition of partners and jury members, and the announcement of awards, including those for the high school competition. The festival will conclude under the patronage and in the presence of HRH Princess Lolowah AlFaisal and HRH Princess Noura bint Turki AlFaisal.
Showreel 2026 is supported by a wide network of partners, including the Red Sea Film Foundation, the University of Southern California, MBC Academy, Saudi Entertainment Ventures, the British Council, the Goethe-Institut, Sony, Maflam and Manga Productions. These partnerships reflect the festival’s growing role within a wider ecosystem supporting film education and creative development in Saudi Arabia.
More than a student film festival, Showreel 2026 offers a platform for dialogue, skill development and international exchange, contributing to the continued growth of Saudi Arabia’s cinematic landscape.