Dammam, January 03, 2025 — The Saudi Arabian Society for Culture and Arts in Dammam successfully concluded the highly anticipated sixth edition of the International Video Art Forum on January 2, 2025. The forum, held over ten days, was hosted in collaboration with the Cinema Association under the theme “Imagination Embodied, Reality Transformed,” and took place at the Cinema Association headquarters in Al-Khobar. The event was a celebration of cutting-edge video art, bringing together artists, curators, and art enthusiasts from across the globe to engage with and showcase innovative artistic expressions in the medium of video art.
This year’s forum featured a curated selection of 56 artworks, representing 29 countries. These works were chosen from a total of 127 submissions, submitted by artists from 41 countries around the world. The international jury, composed of esteemed figures from the art world, evaluated the entries based on creativity, originality, and technological ingenuity. The winners were announced at a prestigious closing ceremony, with Silvia Di Gennaro from Italy taking the top honor for her exceptional work. Hiroya Sakurai from Japan earned second place, while Andrea Leoni from Italy secured third place for his captivating contribution.
In addition to the top prizes, the jury recognized the works of several artists with certificates of excellence. Mishaal Suhaim Al-Thabiti from Saudi Arabia, Jérémy Oury from France, Nada Maher Metwally from Egypt, and Raquel Salvatella from Spain were commended for their outstanding video art contributions, each adding a unique cultural perspective to the forum’s diverse array of works.
Throughout the event, participating artists had the opportunity to share their creative journeys, discuss the unique artistic elements of this edition, and reflect on the endless possibilities that video art offers for the exploration and transformation of ideas. Many artists emphasized the importance of technological advancements in pushing the boundaries of the medium, enabling them to reimagine the way art is experienced and consumed.
The forum underscored the Saudi Arabian Society for Culture and Arts’ ongoing commitment to fostering cultural exchange and innovation within the region. The event served as an important platform for emerging and established artists alike to showcase their works and engage in dialogue about the future of video art in a rapidly evolving world.