Mamdouh Salem Baajajah

Mamdouh Salem Baajajah
ممدوح سالم باعجاجه
Born
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
CitizenshipSaudi Arabia
OccupationFilm director. Producer. Actor
OrganizationRowad Media
For the former Prime Minister of Egypt, see Mamdouh Salem.

Mamdouh Salem Baajajah (Arabic: ممدوح سالم باعجاجه) (born 18 September 1976), generally known in English as Mamdouh Salem, is a Saudi film director, producer, and actor.[1][2] He has been active in the arts world since 1995, after joining the King Abdulaziz University theatre as a stage actor.[3][4] He is best known for founding the Jeddah Visual Film Festival, considered the first film festival in Saudi Arabia,[5] and for leading the production company Rowad Media, which has supported film and cultural initiatives in the Kingdom.[6] In 2016, the Arab Cinema Center listed him among the 100 most influential figures in the Arab film industry.[7][8]

Education

Salem earned a bachelor's degree in computer science from King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah and a master's degree in quality management from the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport in Alexandria, Egypt.[9]

Career

Salem began his artistic career in 1995 at the King Abdulaziz University Theater in Jeddah and later joined the Saudi Arabian Society for Culture and Arts, where he studied theatrical arts.[9] In 2000, he founded the Rowad Comprehensive Theater Troupe, which specialized in children’s theatre and evolved into the production company Rowad Media in 2005.[3][10]

Through Rowad Media, Salem has produced films,[11] television programs, and stage works, and organized cultural events such as the Souq Okaz Festival and the International Comedy Festival.[6][12][13] He has also conducted film and theatre workshops in collaboration with international cultural organizations including the British Council.[14]

Salem contributed to the early institutionalization of Saudi filmmaking, helping to organize training programs and public film events before the formal establishment of a national cinema sector.[15][16] He founded the Jeddah Visual Film Festival in 2006,[5] which is considered to be the Kingdom’s first organized film festival.[5][17] His early television work includes Conflict in Extra Time (1998).[18][4]

Salem has served as a jury member for several regional and international film festivals, including:

Selected Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
2007 Laylat Al-Badr (Full Moon Night) Writer, director, producer Documentary short[25][26]
2008 Belonging Director [27]
2010 Jeddah: Crossroads of Cultures Writer, director, producer [28][1]
2013 Child Task Writer, director, producer [29]
2014 Saqr Al-Jazeera (Falcon of the Island) Writer, director, producer [30]
2024 Dar Al-Banat (Girls' House) Director [31]
2025 The Cradle Director [32]

Selected Plays

Year Title Role Notes
2016 Me, Him and Him Director [33]
2025 Ghosts Writer, director [34]

Accolades

  • Silver Dagger Award -Documentary Film, Muscat International Film Festival (2012)[9][35][36]
  • Al-Muftaha Award for Theatrical Arts -International Comedy Festival (2010)[37]
  • Best Saudi Cultural Leader -British Council (2009)[38]

References

  1. ^ a b Al-Kinani, Mohammad (30 September 2025). "Saudi film talents shine at Venice Film Festival". Arab News. Retrieved 30 September 2025.
  2. ^ Adwan, Hassan (11 October 2024). "المخرج ممدوح سالم لـ "البلاد": السعودية ستصبح "هوليوود" العرب" [Director Mamdouh Salem tells Al-Bilad: Saudi Arabia will become the "Hollywood" of the Arabs]. Al-Bilad جريدة البلاد (in Arabic). Jeddah. Retrieved 2025-10-27.
  3. ^ a b "ممدوح سالم: السينما السعودية تمرُّ بمرحلة نموّ هائلة" [Mamdouh Salem: Saudi cinema is going through a period of immense growth]. Sayidaty magazine (in Arabic). Dubai. 9 December 2023. Retrieved 27 October 2025.
  4. ^ a b "ممدوح سالم: السينما السعودية سينما مهاجرة تغرّد خارج الوطن رغم طرحها القوي للقضايا" [Mamdouh Salem: Saudi cinema is a cinema for the expatriate world, that sings outside its homeland, despite its strong presentation of issues]. Al Madina جريدة المدينة (in Arabic). Jeddah. 2010-06-04. Retrieved 2025-12-08.
  5. ^ a b c "From "visual shows" to "film festival"". Arab News. 17 July 2008. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
  6. ^ a b "Painting the Saudi vision at Souq Okaz festival". Arab News. 30 June 2018. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
  7. ^ "Nine Saudis Among Top 100 Influencers in Arab World Filmmaking Industry". Arab Cinema Center. 8 February 2019. Retrieved 27 October 2025.
  8. ^ Solutions, M. A. D. "Mamdouh Salem | Arab Cinema Center". acc.film. Retrieved 2025-10-27.
  9. ^ a b c "ممدوح سالم: ما زالت السينما السعودية ترسم ملامح خارطتها" [Mamdouh Salem: Saudi cinema is still charting its course]. Sollywood (in Arabic). Riyadh. 14 February 2021. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
  10. ^ "ممدوح سالم باعجاجه - جسور الثقافة للنشر والتوزيع" [Mamdouh Salem Baajajah (author profile)]. House of Jusour Culture (in Arabic). Al-Khobar. Retrieved 2025-10-27.
  11. ^ "It's Official! Saudi Arabia Screens First Movie In 35 Years". About Her. 2018-01-19. Retrieved 2025-10-27.
  12. ^ Hanawi, Khaled (31 July 2017). "ممدوح سالم ينقل الكوميديا السعودية للعالم العربي – صحيفة شبكة الاعلام السعودي" [Mamdouh Salem brings Saudi comedy to the Arab world]. A'lam Saudi Media Network (in Arabic). Jeddah. Retrieved 2025-10-27.
  13. ^ Al-Hakmi, Emad (August 2017). "افتتاح مهرجان الكوميديا الدولي في أبها | مجلة سيدتي" [Opening of the International Comedy Festival in Abha]. Sayidaty magazine (in Arabic). Dubai. Retrieved 2025-10-27.
  14. ^ "Film workshop to encourage local talent". Arab News. 22 May 2012. Retrieved 2 October 2025.
  15. ^ "Saudi film festival a turning point for the industry". Arab News. 24 May 2012. Retrieved 10 August 2025.
  16. ^ "Infant Saudi film industry struggles for financing". Arab News. 21 September 2013. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
  17. ^ "First Saudi Film Festival Kicks Off". Arab News. 2006-07-13. Retrieved 2025-10-27.
  18. ^ "مسلسل - صراع في الوقت الضائع - 1998" [Struggle in Extra Time (1998) (TV series)]. ElCinema.com (in Arabic). Retrieved 11 August 2025.
  19. ^ Al-Qahtani, Abadi (11 March 2010). "أفلام سعودية في مهرجان مسقط السينمائي الدولي" [Saudi films at the Muscat International Film Festival]. Elaph إيلاف (in Arabic). London. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
  20. ^ "Tropfest Arabia co-director and judging panel". Arab News. 24 August 2011. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
  21. ^ "Red Bull Flugtag Saudi Arabia 2012". 6 July 2017. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
  22. ^ "Cinemana film fest honours Arab film personalities". Oman Observer. 8 February 2023. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
  23. ^ "Al Ain Film Festival Celebrates Young Talents". Asharq Al-Awsat. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
  24. ^ "انطلاقة مهرجان قازان الدولي التاسع عشر للسينما الإسلامية" [The 19th Kazan International Muslim Film Festival kicks off]. Al-Bilad نبض (in Arabic). Jeddah. 6 September 2023. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
  25. ^ "ليلة البدر لمخرجه ممدوح سالم: رصدٌ متعجلٌ لمظاهر الفرح في السعودية" ["The Full Moon Night" by director Mamdouh Salem: A hasty observation of manifestations of joy in Saudi Arabia]. Al-Quds Al-Arabi. London. 8 March 2007. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
  26. ^ Hammond, Andrew (10 August 2007). "Film festival pushes freedoms in cinema-free Saudi". Reuters. London. Retrieved 27 October 2025.
  27. ^ Qahtan, Nidal (21 February 2008). "9 أفلام سعودية جديدة في سباق الإمارات السينمائي" [Nine new Saudi films in the UAE film race]. Okaz عكاظ (in Arabic). Jeddah. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
  28. ^ "«جدة» في مهرجان الإسكندريه السينمائي الدولي.. وتكريم إلهام شاهين" [Jeddah at the Alexandria International Film Festival - and honouring Elham Shaheen]. Al Madina جريدة المدينة (in Arabic). Jeddah. 2013-10-11. Retrieved 2025-10-21.
  29. ^ Mahdi, Nabil. "ممدوح سالم ينهي ثالث أفلامه «مهمة طفل»" [Mamdouh Salem finishes his third film, "A Child's Mission"]. Al Yaum صحيفة اليوم (in Arabic). Dammam. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
  30. ^ "فيلم «صقر الجزيرة» يقدم برؤية سينمائية ملامح أبرز المنجزات" [The film "Falcon of the Island" presents, through a cinematic vision, the most prominent achievements of the Saudi kings, in 16 minutes]. Asharq Al-Awsat (in Arabic). London. 28 September 2014. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
  31. ^ "Girls' House (database entry)". Cinando. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
  32. ^ "Festival Scope Pro". pro.festivalscope.com. Retrieved 2025-12-22.
  33. ^ Play - Me, Him and Him - 2016 Watch Online، Video، Trailer، photos، Reviews، Showtimes. Retrieved 2025-12-22 – via elcinema.com.
  34. ^ "من تأليف وإخراج الفنان و المخرج الكبير ممدوح سالم : مسرحية "الأشباح" تسلط الضوء على رحلة الحياة على الطريقة البرختية » صحيفة الكفاح الإخبارية" (in Arabic). Retrieved 2025-12-22.
  35. ^ Faqandash, Ali (1 April 2012). "«الخنجر الفضي» للمخرج السعودي ممدوح سالم" [At the Muscat International Film Festival: "The Silver Dagger" by Saudi director Mamdouh Salem]. Okaz عكاظ (in Arabic). Jeddah. Retrieved 2025-10-27.
  36. ^ "Saudi filmmakers shine at Alexandria festival". Arab News. 13 October 2013. Retrieved 2025-10-27.
  37. ^ "أمير عسير يسلم جائزة المفتاحة السنوي والمتزامن مع اختتام فعاليات مهرجان أبها يجمعنا لصيف 1431هـ » صحيفة الرأي الإلكترونية" [Governor of Asir presents the annual Al-Miftaha Award, coinciding with the conclusion of the 2010 Abha Summer Festival]. Al-Ray News (in Arabic). Riyadh. 6 August 2010. Retrieved 2025-08-11.
  38. ^ الدستور, محرر (2 October 2009). "المخرج السعودي ممدوح سالم يمثل العرب في البرنامج العالمي للإدارة الثقافية" [Saudi director Mamdouh Salem represents Arabs in the global programme for cultural management]. Ad-Dustour جريدة الدستور الاردنية (in Arabic). Amman. Retrieved 2025-10-21 – via DPA news agency.
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