And action!
In Makkah, a group of young creatives are quietly reshaping how local filmmaking happens. What started as a simple idea has turned into Cinemania, the city’s first film production initiative, a space built for storytellers, dreamers, and anyone who’s ever wanted to make movies but didn’t know where to start.
From One Missed Opportunity to a Growing Movement
The story of Cinemania began with a simple setback. The founder, Abrar Zaid Alqurashi, had planned to join a 48-hour film challenge but couldn’t find a team that shared the same passion. Instead of giving up, they started a WhatsApp group to connect with others interested in filmmaking. Within just three weeks, the group grew to 130 members from across Saudi Arabia, all eager to learn, create, and collaborate.
“That moment made me realize there were so many people like me, passionate, curious, and just looking for a place to start,”Abrar shared. “That’s when I felt responsible to make this community into something official.”
Through the Ministry of Culture’s Hawi platform, Cinemania was formally established as Makkah’s first initiative dedicated to local film production and creative collaboration.
Building a Team of Passionate Creatives
There wasn’t a master plan or a detailed business model, just enthusiasm and persistence. The first person to join was Waad Alshareef, who became deputy founder. Soon after, Mariya Alareeshi came on board as Public Relations Manager, followed by Jana Nawawi as Marketing Manager.
“When I told Waad about the idea of creating Cinemania on the Hawi platform, which required both a founder and a deputy, she immediately agreed,” Abrar said. “From there, we slowly built a small but passionate team.”
Together, the team shaped Cinemania from the ground up, each member bringing their own skills, ideas, and drive to the growing community.
Finding Talent and Local Collaborators
One of the most impressive parts of Cinemania’s journey is how it has connected with Makkah’s creative community. Some of their actors and crew came from within the group, while others joined through mutual friends.
“As for collaborators, it was all personal effort. We searched for partners who believed in our vision, and thankfully, we found many.”
So far, Cinemania has collaborated with Ruwa Alwaie Café, Bayab Hotel, Zeina Café, Shem Seora Company, Zumra Company, and KUT THE CRAB, all of which have helped turn simple ideas into real film projects.
Lessons From Challenges (and One “Miracle Phone”)
Of course, every filmmaking story comes with a few dramatic twists. One unforgettable moment for Cinemania happened during a film competition when the team lost the only copy of their movie due to a technical error, just hours before the deadline.
“It was midnight, and everything we’d worked for was suddenly gone. We were completely out of options.”
With no time left and nothing to lose, the film’s main actor, Kareem Najm, suggested editing the movie on his phone using CapCut. The team worked through the night, and thanks to an extension from the organizers, they managed to submit it on time. Since then, Kareem’s phone has been known among the team as “the miracle phone.”
Projects That Blend Art and Purpose
Right now, Cinemania is working on a project that ties filmmaking to public health awareness. The team is collaborating with the Dawaa Association, under the supervision of the Ministry of Health, to produce an educational short film, combining creativity with a real social purpose.
“This project is very close to my heart. It connects both sides of me, the Public Health student and the filmmaker.”
They’re also proud of their recent experience making a short film in just 48 hours as part of the Red Sea Film Festival. That project taught them valuable lessons about patience, teamwork, and how pressure can sometimes spark the best ideas.
Makkah’s Creative Spaces
For a growing group like Cinemania, the city itself plays a big role in inspiring creativity. The team often gathers at Ruwa Alwaie Café, where they’ve hosted two workshops, one on short filmmaking and another on photography. The café has also hosted one of their most successful events, a screening night where over 50 people came to watch short films by emerging Saudi filmmakers.
“Those gatherings mean a lot to us,” the team shared. “They’re where we see the impact of Cinemania, people connecting, sharing stories, and learning together.”
Another important space is Zumra Company, one of Cinemania’s key partners and a supporter of their mission to grow Makkah’s creative scene.
How to Get Involved
For anyone interested in joining, the doors are open. Aspiring filmmakers can sign up through the registration link in Cinemania’s Instagram bio, while collaborators and sponsors can reach out directly via phone or email.
The Future of Cinemania
The team hopes that in the coming years, Cinemania will become a home for new filmmakers, a place where fresh talent can get guidance, experience, and confidence to take their first steps into the industry.
“In the future, we want Cinemania to become an incubator for rising talents in filmmaking. Our main goal is to empower every passionate person to start their journey.”
Their long-term vision is to create a supportive environment that celebrates creativity and encourages local stories to be told on bigger screens.
Red Sea Film Festival 48h challenge
Cinemania was one of the participants in the 48-hour challenge, and the premiere just took place. If you’re into film or curious about the creative industry, you’ll want to check out the winners and all the details, you can learn more about it here.
