Acclaimed Bahraini filmmaker Omar Farooq’s gripping film The Dark Side of Japan has won the Best GCC Documentary prize at the 11^th Saudi Film Festival in Dhahran.

One of Bahrain’s most recognised media figures, Omar is known for his bold, investigative storytelling and for using film and digital platforms to bridge cultures and spark conversations.

The Dark Side of Japan continues that mission, offering a deeply personal and thought-provoking look into hidden social issues within 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 filmmaking as a whole, reinforcing the region’s growing presence on the wider cinematic stage.

The jury that selected Omar’s film for the award was led by Egyptian filmmaker Marianne Khoury and featured Saudi producer/director Faisal Al-Otaibi, and French director Sylvie Ballyot.

The awards ceremony also featured the announcements of the winners of the festival’s Golden Palm Awards and a special documentary film screening that honoured renowned Saudi actor and poet, Ibrahim Al-Hasawi, to whom this edition of the festival paid tribute.

The Saudi Film Festival, hosted by the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra), organised by the Saudi Cinema Association and supported by the Film Commission of the Ministry of Culture, has become a vital platform for championing stories from across the world.

GO: Visit www.ithra.com for more information.