“The response in general is positive and I hope I can meet writers and film-makers from different countries during this event, said Mohammed Al-Basha, a participant from Qatif, with his film “The Dead Man’s Sandal.”

“My film screened and the response was good, Al-Basha, who is known for its scripts,” added.

The Arabic short film with English subtitles narrates the story of a family that lives with the memories of their dead grandfather.

While some of the family members want to purge themselves of the old man’s memories, his cat is more loyal, thus setting the stage for some eerie moments in this 18-minute-long movie.

Samir Al-Nasser, Shoua Tawfiq are the main actors.

Mohammed Salman’s “The Bicycle,” also has received big applause. The film depicts relationship between a boy and his uncle.

The 18-minute film has illustrated the rich heritage and tradition of the Eastern province in the Kingdom through out the film.

“Film is the best medium to spread tradition and culture. But we have limitations in our country to picturize such things” Mohammed Salman said.

“I have a lot of ideas, but no fund to produce films,” he added. Hussain Yousef, Afaf Al-Salman and Ali Ghaleb are the main actors in the film.

Abdul Rahman Ayeel is also attending the festival. A writer, director and producer Ayeel has extensively worked on documentary films. His film “Nobody” with Arabic dialogue and English titles lasts 7 minutes. “It is the story of a marginalized youth living on society’s fringe, and portrays two approaches to living” Ayeel who hails from Riyadh said.

While talking to Arab News from Dubai Festival City, Mohammed Al- Sendi, the young Saudi film director who graduated from Valparaiso University, said: “It is a good place to interact with professionals with similar interest and exchange cultures.”

His 20-minute-film, Fatin “Drives Me Crazy” — has English subtitles and narrates the problems of a newly wedded couple — Fatin and Sultan. They are happy but Fatin struggles with her over dependence on Sultan as he goes to work and the couple doesn’t have a driver. The story tries to highlight a hot-button issue in the Kingdom.

“A Trekking Man” by Tareq Aldakheelallah was also noticed well. It portrays one day in the adventurous journey of Emirati trekker Jalal Bin Thaneya who covered challenging desert terrains on a 2,000-km journey by foot from Ruwais to Makkah over 51 days.

“Carrom” by Hamzah Tarzan, who won the Best Director award at the Saudi Film Competition for his earlier two works, is about an old man who waits for his daughter to play the game of carrom with him. He sits patiently, having set up the coins and the board — but the player who turns up is a young man.

Saudi filmmaker, Abdulaziz Al-Shlahei describes the feelings of a man who meets a stranger in his short film “Mishwar.” The 10-minute-long film has beautiful Arabic dialogues with English sub titles.

“KSA In Their Eyes by Khalil Nabelsi,” portrays the view of six expatriates who live in the Kingdom for more than 7 years. “I did not edit the dialogue of these expatriates, whatever they said it is there and we can see that they love the kingdom” Khalil said. “The film is a year’s effort and I am happy that viewers accepted it” he added.

Khalil, a Lebanese by origin, born and brought up in Abu Dhabi, currently lives in Riyadh. The film has been selected for world premiers in the festival.

“One Man’s Tricycle,” directed by award-winning filmmaker Fahmi Farouk Farahat and Abdullaziz Alnjuim has also received extensive attention from the audience. The 28-minute documentary is the story of Dr. Hosam Al-Mulhim, who sets out to make a difference with his mission to conserve energy by trading his car for a human powered vehicle as his daily mode of transportation.

Mujtba Saeed’s short film “Hayat” was also appreciated as it has got Arabic and German language dialogues.

Mujtaba who hails from Dammam, is an Art student at Berlin. “Gulf film festival is a best place for us, and it gives best encouragement” Mujtaba said.

“Passion of the Eggs,” a 43-minute comedy by Musab, Leila’s Window by Shahad Ameen were the other Saudi films screened during the festival.