Close Menu
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    Friday, June 20, 2025
    961
    Instagram Facebook LinkedIn TikTok
    • Breaking News
    • Guides
    • Food & Drink
    • Listicles
    • Join the Team
    • Whatsapp
      • 961
      • 961 News
    • AUB Outdoors ☀️
    Advertise with Us Get the App
    961
    Home»Magazine»Lifestyle»Entertainment
    Walid Chaya
    2 Mins Read

    Lebanese Filmmaker’s Heartfelt Film About Saudi Women Driving Is Being Featured Worldwide

    By Souad LazkaniMarch 18, 2021
    Facebook WhatsApp Copy Link

    A short film by Lebanese-American director-actor Walid Chaya is making a scene in prestigious film festivals around the world.

    Based in Los Angeles, Chaya is an award-winning director featured in many publications, such as Voyage LA, Vents Magazine, Fox, AP, and more.

    He graduated with a B.F.A. in Performance with Magna Cum Laude honors from the Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Richmond, VA. He is currently actively working in film and TV as well as coaching and consulting performers.

    View this post on Instagram

    A post shared by Walid Chaya (@walid.chaya)

    His 2018 film, Driving Ms. Saudi, is an Official Selection in over a dozen film festivals, including the Dubai Independent Film Festival and the St. Louis International Film Festival where it was picked by critics as one of “11 Must-See Movies”.

    It also screened at the Amsterdam Independent Film Festival, the Verona International Film Festival, the Miami Independent Film Festival, and many more.

    Chaya directed and starred in this short film as the son who helps his Saudi mother who panics about being behind the wheel for the first time.

    He was inspired to write the award-winning short film when women were finally allowed to drive in KSA.

    Reflecting on his Middle Eastern background, Chaya says he feels that it is his duty to shed light on stories from the Middle East.

    View this post on Instagram

    A post shared by Walid Chaya (@walid.chaya)

    His film has garnered a number of accolades, including the “Best Comedy Short” in the World Of Women (WOW) Film Fair Middle East. Chaya also took home the “Best Short Film” award at the Asia South East Short Film Festival.

    This month, Driving Ms. Saudi will screen at the Cairo Indie Shorts Festival where it may be considered for additional awards.

    Watch the trailer for the short film below:

    Saudi Arabia United States
    Share. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Email

    For You

    US And Israel Side Letter

    What’s In The Reported US And Israel Side Letter Regarding The Ceasefire?

    massad boulos

    Massad Boulos Was Just Appointed By Trump As Senior Advisor for Middle Eastern Affairs

    edde sands

    How Lebanon Took Over Netflix’s ‘Love Is Blind Habibi’

    Chafic

    We Spoke To Chafic From Netflix’s ‘Love is Blind Habibi’ – Here’s What He Told Us

    donald trump 961

    Donald Trump Just Won The US Presidential Elections

    Netflix October Guide

    40+ New Releases on Lebanese Netflix this October

    Low-Cost Lebanese Airline 961

    We Might Finally Be Getting A Low-Cost Lebanese Airline – Here’s What We Know

    lebanon jounieh cyprus by ferry 961

    You’ll Soon Be Able To Travel Between Lebanon & Cyprus By Ferry

    June 8, 2025
    whish pay lebanon 961

    You Can Now Use Whish Pay At Shopify Stores

    June 13, 2025
    Michel Hayek

    Michel Hayek 2025: Predictions For The World

    December 31, 2024
    lebanon cybergames 2025 hacking 961

    Lebanon Just Won A Global Hacking Competition

    June 10, 2025
    Michel Hayek

    Michel Hayek 2025: Predictions For Lebanon

    December 31, 2024

    20 Celebrities You Probably Didn’t Know Had Lebanese Roots

    April 22, 2019
    Michel Hayek

    Michel Hayek 2025: Predictions For The Middle East

    December 31, 2024
    lebanese beer brands almaza beirut beer 961

    Lebanese Beer Brands Are Publicly Throwing Shade, And It’s Getting Frothy

    June 7, 2025

    Ampere Cinema Reopens Its Doors In North Lebanon After 28 Years Of Absence

    June 30, 2022
    961 Logo
    Facebook WhatsApp TikTok Instagram

    Popular Topics

    • Guides
    • Eat & Drink
    • Listicles
    • Lebanon News
    • Diaspora
    • Explained

    961

    • About
    • WhatsApp Channel
    • News WhatsApp Channel
    • Corrections Policy
    • Ownership & Funding

    Services

    • Advertise
    • Careers
    • App Waitlist
    • Contact Us
    • Newsletter
    961™ | All Rights Reserved ©2025
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

    We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Okay