Saudi film “Silence” won the Golden Dagger award as the best film from the Gulf in the 6th international Muscat Film Festival. The eight-day festival, held under the patronage of Information Minister Hamad Al-Rashidi at Al Bustan Palace Hotel in Muscat, ended Saturday. Mamdouh Salem, Saudi filmmaker, director of Jeddah Film Festival, cultural ambassador and executive manager of Rawad Media and Production, told Saudi Gazette that “Silence” had an excellent effect on the audience and judges. “The message given by the director was so heart-touching and clear,” he said. That is why, he said, the film won the award. “A number of films participated in the Muscat Film Festival but the story of a small boy who plays his guitar and wants his family to listen to him and then becomes silent upon learning of the death of his father captivated the hearts and minds of the viewers,” Mamdouh said. Jeddah Film Festival, he said, works to create a market for Saudi films and its involvement in a number of cultural forums, regional and international film festivals encourages Saudi filmmakers.
