Festivals Organized by AlSawari

In light of the necessity to encourage young talents in the field of theater, especially in Bahraini theater, and to enrich the theatrical scene with a new generation of serious theatrical elements, the theater has been organizing its annual festival for amateur youth since 1993 until the year 2000.

The organization of the Sawari Festival for Young Directing Experiments deserves praise for several reasons. Firstly, it comes in the direction of nurturing new theatrical elements and putting their credibility to the test. This activity deserves commendation secondly because it keeps the spark of youthful enthusiasm in its proper context, especially considering past experiences where many emerging theatrical experiments gravitated towards commercial production institutions. Thirdly, it deserves praise for undertaking a direction that challenges everyone's desire to strengthen it, or so we hope. We must commend the Sawari management for such events, as they serve as a catalyst for all budding theatrical endeavors within the theater, fostering interaction, dialogue, and the creation of a responsible dynamic environment where all efforts can grow under the most flexible and practical conditions, with opportunities readily available.

Mohamed Ahmed Al-Banki - Al-Ayam Newspaper (September 1993)

The Sawari Theater's annual tradition of holding the Youth Festival without interruption is, in itself, an important aspect for artistic communication with amateurs and for producing artistic talents in theater. This enriches and enhances the artistic communication.

Ahmed Al-Bustah - Al-Ayam Newspaper (September 1993)

Festival Plays:

• Play: "Go, Albert" - an African play, directed by Hassan Mansour.
• Play: "The Little One Who Resembles You" - preparation and direction by Khalid Al-Ruwaie.
• Play: "Man and Woman" - written and directed by Jumaan Al-Ruwaie.
• Play: "The Conflict" - written and directed by Ali Rahma.
• Play: "Awakenings" - preparation and direction by Salman Al-Aribi and Hussain Al-Rifai.
• Play: "The Snake" - written by Walid Ikhlasii, directed by Fahd Rabee'ah.

Each performance was followed by a special seminar. Additionally, a film about the global theatrical experience of "Peter Brook" was shown, along with a seminar about acting in Bahrain by Dr. Ibrahim Ghuloom. There was also a testimonial session for the director "Jamal Al-Saqr", one of the distinguished young directors, along with honoring some pioneers in the Bahraini theatrical movement.

The theatrical amateur festival, initiated years ago by Sawari Theater, has now become the theatrical 'Okaz Souq', an annual market for the new generations of theater enthusiasts in Bahrain. What's striking to observers of this festival since its inception until today is the significant level of seriousness with which amateurs approach their works and experiments in this festival. Over the past years until now, the common denominator among the experiences of amateurs who have participated in the festival's cycles is the type of concerns raised on stage. They mostly revolve around comprehensive existential and cosmic issues, from questions of human existence itself and the philosophy of life and suffering, to manifestations of human suffering in twentieth-century societies: wars, massacres, and the absence of justice.

Behind this effort and this annual artistic market stands the determination of Sawari Theater, the initiator of the festival, to organize it and the resolve to continue organizing it annually. And behind all of this stands a man with eyes that stare with the gaze of a wolf.

Mohamed Fadel - Al-Ayam Newspaper (August 1994)

Festival Plays:

• Play: "The Curtain" - Written by: Youssef Al-Hamdani, Directed by: Hussain Al-Halibi.
• Play: "The Flood" - Written by: Mustafa Mahmoud, Directed by: Mohammed Al-Hajiri.
• Play: "The Hostage" - Written by: Youssef Al-Hamdani, Directed by: Ibrahim Al-Mansi.
• Play: "The Job" - Written by: Hassan Mansour, Directed by: Abdullah Al-Khatim.
• Play: "Talaban" - Written by: Mohammed Haddad and Khalid Al-Ruwaie, Directed by: Khalid Al-Ruwaie.
• Play: "The Hostage" - Written by: Youssef Al-Hamdani, Directed by: Ali Rahma.
• Play: "The Barrier" - Collage: Khalid Al-Ruwaie, Directed by: Mamdouh Ateek.

Each performance was followed by an impressionistic seminar, during which several pioneering figures in Bahraini theater were honored.

Festival Plays:

• Play: "Workshop" - Written by: Youssef Al-Hamdani, Directed by: Hussain Al-Halibi.
• Play: "We Live to Eat" - Written by: Nader Abdulal, Directed by: Mamdouh Ateek.
• Play: "Cinderella's Shoe" - Written and Directed by: Fahd Rabee'ah.
• Play: "I Saw" - Written and Directed by: Salman Al-Aribi.
• Play: "Khatoon Who Saw" - Collage: Khalid Al-Ruwaie, Directed by: Fayyad Al-Sharqawi.
  

During the festival, a main seminar was held discussing the horizon of young theatrical experiments in Bahrain.

Festival Plays:

• Play: "Al-Sidra" - Written by: Issam Mahfouz, Preparation and Direction: Ibrahim Khalfan - Presented by University Theater.
• Play: "Two Friends, But.." - Written and Directed by: Mahmoud Al-Safar.
• Play: "The Man Who Became a Dog" - Written by: Osvaldo Dragún, Collective Direction and Supervision: Hussain Al-Hulaibi.
• Play: "The Pumpkin" - Written by: Pierre Ferrary, Directed by: Isa Al-Balushi.
• Play: "Four on Air" - Written by: Nader Abdulal, Directed by: Hussain Al-Hulaibi.
• Dance: "Rose Invasion" - Design and Supervision: Khalid Al-Ruwaie.
  

During the closing ceremony, awards were distributed to the winners as the festival's first experiment.

Festival Plays:

• Play: "When Friends Meet" - Preparation by: Mohammed Haddad, Directed by: Ali Isa,  Presented by Salman Cultural Center.
• Play: "The Hawker" - Written by: Abdullah Al-Saadawi, Directed by: Yasser Al-Qarmuzi.
• Play: "The Plague of Forgetfulness" - Written by: Max René, Directed by: Jasim Abdulali.
• Play: "Abu Zahra with His Mouth" - Written by: Luigi Brandellu, Directed by: Ibrahim Al-Mansi. The play also participated in the Jordanian Theater Festival in November 1998.
• Play: "Visions" - Preparation and Direction: Hussain Al-Hulaibi
  

Festival Plays:

• Play: "The Guard" - Written by: Muhi al-Din Zankana - Directed by: Hussain Al-Hulaibi.
• Play: "The Two Impressions on the Stamp" - Written by: Mary She'shgal - Preparation: Abdullah Al-Saadawi - Directed by: Yasser Al-Qarmuzi.
• Play: "The Barrier" - Collage: Khalid Al-Ruwaie - Directed by: Isa Al-Balushi.
• Play: "Debate" - Written and Directed by: Nader Abdulal.
  

Festival Plays:

• Play: "A Dream on a Rainy Night" - Written by: Jamal Al-Saqr - Directed by: Hussain Al-Hulaibi / Presented by University Theater.
• Play: "The Club of Shyness" - Written by: Max René - Directed by: Isa Khalif.
• Play: "The Paper Plane" - Written by: Mahmoud Al-Safar - Directed by: Isa Al-Balushi.
• Play: "The Blind" - Written by: Maurice Maeterlinck - Directed by: Hussain Al-Hulaibi.
• Play: "Three Ladies" - Written by: The Production Team - Directed by: Khalid Al-Ruwaie.
• Seminar: "Theater Workshops" by researcher Kulthum Amin.
  

Festival Plays:

• Play: "The Judge" - Written by: Abdullah Al-Saadawi, Directed by: Yasser Al-Qarmuzi.
• Play: "The Child Draws Tala" - Written and Directed by: Abdullah Al-Dosari.
• Play: "Private Sector Employee" - Written and Directed by: Hassan Al-Asfour.
• Play: "The Clowns" - Written by: Mohammed Al-Maghouat, Directed by: Mu'taz Al-Abdullah.
• Play: "No Problem" - Written by: Mahmoud Al-Safar, Directed by: Isa Abdullah - Mahmoud Al-Safar.
• Play: "Forgotten Memory Clippings" - Written by: Youssef Al-Hamdani, Directed by: Hussain Al-Hulaibi.
• Seminar: "Youthful Experience" (Salman Al-Oribi - Khalid Al-Ruwaie - Mohammed Al-Saffar).
  

Judging Committee Decision and Award Announcement

Following a meeting of the judging committee and their evaluation of the participating films, the committee unanimously decided to award prizes and certificates of appreciation to the following films:

First: Certificates of Appreciation:

1.  Mohammed Ashour is awarded a certificate of appreciation for editing in the film "Until You Bury."
2. Hussein Abdulali is awarded a certificate of appreciation for his performance in the role in the film "Until You Bury."
3. Yasser Al-Qarmazi is awarded a certificate of appreciation for his overall contributions.
4. Saeed Mansour is awarded a certificate of appreciation for his documentary work "Death of the Palm Trees."
5. Artist Abdullah Al-Sadawi is granted a certificate of appreciation for his efforts and support in this field.

Second: Special Jury Award:
The jury committee decided to grant its special award to the film "Visions" by the promising director Khalid Al-Ruwaie.

Third: Competition Awards:

1. The Documentary Film Award is presented to "Ali Shahin" for his film "Contemporary Art Association."
2. The Editing Award goes to "Ali Rahma" for his film "He and She."
3. The Cinematography Award is bestowed upon "Raed Al-Darazi" for his film "The Nightmare."
4. The Screenplay Award is given to "Issa Bufalassa and Mohammed Janaahi" for their film "The Roosters."
5. The Acting Award is presented to "Ali Issa" for his performance in the film "Stranger."
6. The Directing Award is granted to "Raed Al-Darazi" for his film "The Nightmare."
   

Judging Committee Members:

• Bassam Al-Duwadi (Chair).
• Amin Saleh (Member).
• Ahmed Yaqoub Al-Muqla (Member).
• Rashid Al-Judar (Member)
• Yousef Fulad (Member)

The second Video Festival for Amateurs came after the decision of the Sawari Theater to refer the festival project to the Bahrain Cinema Club, to be within the club's jurisdiction. The festival was organized in collaboration with the club as a prelude to the club's hosting of it.

Participating Films:

1. "Island of Mist": Written and Directed by Yusuf Al-Qaseer.
   Duration: 5 minutes
2. "The Abyss": Written and Directed by Mohammed Sharafi.
   Duration: 30 minutes
3. "To Be or Not To Be": Written by Abdullah Al-Saadawi, Directed by Yasser Al-Qarmazi.
   Duration: 15 minutes
4. Haldernaba": Directed by Ali Rahma.
   Duration: 13 minutes
5. "Thirst": Written and Directed by Saeed Mansoor.
   Duration: 28 minutes
6. "Time Game": Written by Abdullah Khalifa, Directed by Mohammed Janaahi.
   Duration: 37 minutes
7. "A Journey into the Depths": Concept and Direction by Moussa Al-Nuaimi.
   Duration: 20 minutes

The Sawari Film Festival for Short Films, as an extension of the experience of the short film video competition, introduced a new and different approach. It represents a new vision for Sawari Theater in the field of multimedia art (cinema, video, computer). The festival aims to provide opportunities for those working in the field of multimedia films and to stimulate creative, artistic, and technical talents associated with it. (May 2005). The entries were as follows:

The Sawari Film Festival 2007 Included the following:

• Organizing the opening and closing ceremonies.
• Producing the film "Khafaqan".
• Hosting the Iranian film "Voice of the Moon" for the festival's opening screening.
• Presenting an experimental certificate for the Bahraini film "Hikayat Bahrainiya," which involved director Bassam Al-Zuwaidi, writer Fareed Ramadan, and musician Mohammed Haddad.
• The film screenings were as follows:
  

The interest of the theater group in this day is merely a concern stemming from the necessity of cementing it, celebrating its importance, and its universal effectiveness. In March 1994, the group held a celebration of this day, hosting a seminar concerning theatrical actors in Bahrain, which involved participation from various actors from private theaters. The dialogue lasted for two consecutive days, during which participants came up with ideas, suggestions, and recommendations aimed at developing the tools of actors in Bahrain. In 1995, the group honored the playwright Saadallah Wannous through a seminar on one of his plays that was presented in Bahrain, along with a theatrical presentation of several excerpts from his writings. As for the year 2006, the celebration took the form of a mini-festival, which included the following:

Hosting the theatrical group "Al-Asdiqa" from the Kingdom of Morocco.