Saudi Arabia’s creative scene is profoundly transforming, as talented individuals reshape the cultural landscape. With the rapid growth of the fashion, art, design, music, and film industries, Saudi creatives are breaking boundaries and capturing the world’s attention. Here are some unique Saudi talents that deserve the spotlight before the end of the year.
Meshal Aljaser
Meshal Aljaser is a Saudi filmmaker known for his fast-paced, satirical style and for addressing cultural and religious themes in his work. He gained recognition for his mini-series Folaim Ya Gholaim and the short film Arabian Alien, which premiered at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival. His short film Is Sumyati Going to Hell?, featured on Netflix’s Six Windows in the Desert, explores issues of religion, culture, and injustice through the eyes of a young girl.
Aljaser often pushes cultural boundaries with provocative content, such as in the music video Fadayeh, where a Saudi man licks an American woman’s face. He has won multiple awards, including for his film Under Concrete, which highlights the Syrian refugee crisis.
Arabian Alien, a sci-fi short, won Best Short Film at the Atlanta Film Festival and became eligible for the Oscars. His debut feature film Naga, a comedy-thriller starring Adwa Bader, premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and tells the story of a Saudi woman stranded in the desert after sneaking out on a date.
Rakan Bin AbdulWahid
Rakan Bin Abdul Wahid is a Saudi rapper, actor, model, and singer, best known for portraying King Abdulaziz in the film *Born a King*. Currently, he is active in modeling, acting, music, and fashion, with plans to launch a clothing line through his music videos. Splitting his time between LA and Saudi Arabia, Rakan is passionate about using art to bridge cultural divides. He is committed to representing Saudi Arabia positively and breaking stereotypes, while also being fluent in French, English, and Spanish.
Mohammed Al Turki
Mohammed Al Turki, born on July 3, 1986, in Saudi Arabia, is a prominent film producer, entrepreneur, and philanthropist who has successfully bridged the entertainment gap between Hollywood and Saudi Arabia. His passion for film, bolstered by his media studies in London, drove his rise in the U.S. film industry.
Beyond his work in film, Mohammed is dedicated to philanthropy, supporting global charities like UNICEF, the Steve Irwin Sea Shepherd, and amfAR, alongside his father's charitable initiatives in Saudi Arabia. He is also influential in fashion, collaborating with renowned luxury brands.
Formerly CEO of The Red Sea Film Foundation, Mohammed now serves as an advisor, playing a key role in shaping Saudi Arabia's evolving film industry.
Moath Alofi
Born in Madina, Saudi Arabia in 1984, Moath Alofi is an artist, researcher, and explorer. He currently serves as the Exhibitions and Programs Manager at Diriyah Gate Development Authority and is the founder of the artistic studio Al-Mthba. Moath is also the co-founder of Erth Team, a production group specializing in safari trips, aerial photography, and travel documentation.
Since 2013, Moath has been documenting cultural artifacts, heritage, and hidden treasures across the Madina region, with plans to expand his exploration to all of Saudi Arabia. His work has been exhibited internationally in cities such as Jeddah, Riyadh, Bahrain, Paris, and Moscow.
Sawsan Albahiti
Sawsan AlBahiti, Saudi Arabia's first opera singer and vocal coach, has made significant strides in her field. Trained as a soprano since 2008, she opened The Soulful Voice, Saudi Arabia's first voice training center, in 2018. Her groundbreaking performances include an operatic rendition of the Saudi national anthem in 2019. AlBahiti continues to develop her craft with international experts and plays a key role in shaping the Kingdom’s music industry through her work with the Music Commission.
Mashael AlRajhi
Mashael AlRajhi is a prominent figure in the Saudi fashion industry, known for her bold and avant-garde designs that challenge traditional norms. Her innovative approach has garnered international attention, placing her at the forefront of Saudi fashion's global rise. AlRajhi consistently pushes boundaries by blending modern aesthetics with cultural influences, creating pieces that resonate both locally and internationally. As part of Saudi Arabia’s cultural renaissance, her work not only showcases the Kingdom's evolving fashion scene but also contributes to redefining perceptions of Saudi creativity on the world stage.
Jawaher Alamri
Jawahar Alamri is a Saudi writer, director, and producer, who graduated from Effat University's Cinematic Arts School. She views cinema as a powerful tool for self-actualization and recognizing individual and collective identity.
Alamri has directed and produced several award-winning short films, including *THE LAST DISMISSAL*, which earned two awards at the Hollywood Short Fest and was featured in the Short Film Corner of the 77th Cannes International Film Festival. Her work on the multi-director Saudi anthology *BECOMING* has been showcased at various festivals, including the 43rd Cairo International Film Festival, while *SADEYA LEFT SULTAN* won Best Short Film at the Saudi Film Festival.
She also produced *THE GIRLS WHO BURNED THE NIGHT*, which garnered Best Live-Action Short at the Palm Springs International ShortFest and the Carthage Film Festival's Cine-Promesses Award. In 2022, she was selected to be part of the University of Southern California's Middle East Media Initiative.
Abdallah Hammas
Abdullah Hammas, born in Abha in 1953, is a prominent artist who has significantly influenced the evolution of Saudi art. After graduating from the Riyadh Institute of Arts in 1973, he dedicated 31 years to teaching art in prepschools. Supported by the Al Mansouria Foundation, Hammas is celebrated for his transition from traditional and decorative painting to abstract art, linking colors and materials to his homeland.
His work features square paintings that are colorful and often tailored to the venue where they are exhibited. In Riyadh, his pieces are known for their seriousness and abstract nature, while in Al-Khobar, they display brighter colors, clearer lines, and human forms. His Abha panels, vertical columns of vibrant, small paintings, are particularly notable.
Hamas has held numerous solo exhibitions in Saudi Arabia and has also showcased his art in Paris and Rabat. His paintings are featured in public collections across the Middle East, Europe, and the USA.
Naeema Alshuhail
Naeema Al Shehail has established an ethical Saudi fashion label for women that merges traditional techniques with contemporary style. Her brand incorporates traditional embroidery and beading, created by skilled artisans, to produce collections that celebrate Saudi heritage while embracing modern aesthetics. The designs emphasize sustainable craftsmanship and timeless luxury.
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