Ahmad Al-Ayyad is a Saudi journalist, film critic, and an emerging voice in the Middle Eastern and North African cinema landscape. For his achievements, he has been awarded the Next Generation Award, jointly presented by the Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF) and The Film Verdict.
With extensive experience covering Saudi cinema and the regional film industry, he is the founder and editor-in-chief of fasllah.com, an independent Saudi-based platform dedicated to in-depth film criticism and comprehensive coverage of global and regional film festivals. The website collaborates with esteemed critics and journalists from across the Arab world, fostering a hub for critical dialogue and cinematic appreciation. Since its establishment last year fasllah.com has risen to become one of the most credible websites in the MENA region providing professional content about cinema international cinema in Arabic.
A passionate advocate for Saudi cinema, Al-Ayyad has played a pivotal role in promoting local industry initiatives, spotlighting emerging talents, and supporting projects that contribute to Saudi Arabia’s burgeoning film landscape. His active involvement extends to initiatives such as the Film Criticism Conference in Riyadh, which underscores his dedication to nurturing critical discussions about film criticism within the region.
Al-Ayyad is a member of the International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI) and has contributed professionally to the coverage of prestigious international festivals, including Toronto, Berlin, Cannes, and Venice, alongside key Arab festivals like Red Sea, Cairo, and El Gouna. His work emphasizes elevating cinematic voices from the MENA region, ensuring they receive recognition on global platforms.
Beyond festival coverage, Al-Ayyad has served on the juries of notable events such as the Ismailia International Film Festival and the Amman International Film Festival. His expertise also extends to script evaluation as part of the Saudi Broadcasting Authority’s script reading committee and program curation during his tenure as the programming manager for Thmanyah Cinema. Currently, he leads the arts section at the prominent Saudi publication Elaph.
