Saudi Filmmaker Abrar Qari Joins Marrakech Short Film Festival as a Judge

Mohammedia – This September, Abrar Qari will participate as a Saudi filmmaker to the 5th Marrakech Short Film Festival, an opportunity to engage with filmmakers from around the world while sharing her own vision.

An award-winning filmmaker with international experience, Qari has built a remarkable career in animation, film, and commercial work.

She holds an MFA in Film from Columbia University and was the first Saudi filmmaker to participate in La Fémis and the Atelier Ludwigsburg-Paris co-production program, collaborating with 20 filmmakers from around the globe. Qari began her career as an animator in 2012, and is one of Saudi Arabia’s first female directors.

Her filmography includes critically acclaimed works such as “Where’s The Imam?,” “Fitting Day,” “To Fade Away,” and “The Lottery.”

She has also produced a range of commercials, including “Cultural Assets,” “Towards a Bright Future” at Twaiq Palace and “Alsado Story.”

Beyond filmmaking, Qari has shared her insights on directing and filmmaking widely across media platforms, appearing on television, audio programs, newspapers, and live panels. She has delivered talks at events such as TEDx Taibah University with her presentation titled “Stand with the Earth” and moderated panel discussions like “The Future of Animation” at the Colors of Saudi Forum.

“Marrakech and Morocco is a meeting point of cultures,” Qari told Morocco World News in an exclusive interview. “It has a deep cinematic heritage, but it also feels very alive and contemporary in the way it brings together filmmakers from all over the world. As a Saudi filmmaker, I want my work to resonate locally but also exist in an international dialogue.”

Her films often explore stories with emotional urgency, and often feature female-led narratives inspired by the voices of her mother and grandmother.

“The perfect story opens a window into the human condition, revealing characters in all their complexity and depth,” she explained. “My voice is strongest when I am deeply connected to a story’s core, whether it is personal, cultural, or universal.”

Qari’s work as executive producer on “The Foreign Patriot” exemplifies her commitment to supporting Saudi talent.

“I was drawn to its themes of belonging and pursuing dreams, which felt both personal and universal,” she said. “Supporting Saudi filmmakers is part of our duty as a community. We’re building an industry at home while contributing to Vision 2030’s global cultural ambitions.”

For Qari, festivals like Marrakech offer more than screenings. They are mirrors for growth and inspiration. “Each festival allows me to recognize my strengths, confront weaknesses, and refine my vision,” she said.

“Networking is key. Filmmaking is collaborative, and the people I meet at these festivals often become long-term collaborators. Watching other films, meeting fellow filmmakers, and learning from fresh stories is as valuable as showing my own work.”

Qari hopes to leave a mark through her representation. “I want audiences, especially young Arab creatives, to feel inspired,” she said.

“To know that their stories and voices are deeply valuable. If my presence encourages even one young creative to believe in their own potential and take the leap into filmmaking, then we’ve achieved something meaningful together.”

This September, Abrar Qari will stand in Marrakech not just as a filmmaker but as a voice bridging cultures, championing female narratives, and celebrating the potential of Saudi talent on an international stage.