Bahrain Film Festival is returning for its fifth edition, running from October 30 to November 4, 2025. Organised by the Bahrain Cinema Club in cooperation with the Ministry of Information, this year’s event carries the theme: “Short Films, Great Stories.”

The festival aims to offer a meaningful space for local and regional filmmakers to demonstrate their work in one of five categories: narratives, documentaries, animations, student films, and Bahraini short films.

 

According to Festival Director Ammar Zainal, the theme this year highlights the depth and narrative strength that short films can deliver — focusing on the idea that a short runtime doesn’t mean limited impact.

Alongside screenings, the festival will feature workshops, lectures, and development programmes to support emerging talent and spark creative dialogue among filmmakers. Although the venue has not yet been announced, more details are expected to be revealed closer to the start of the event.

 

The country’s cultural calendar for the second half of 2025 looks rather impressive. In addition to the Bahrain Film Festival, American singer Stephen Wilson Jr. will make his debut performance in the Kingdom this December with his ‘Son of Dad Tour’ — marking another major highlight before the year wraps up.

Keep an eye out for the Bahrain Film Festival updates, and don’t miss the chance to explore new cinema voices from the country and beyond.