Concept Creative concept developed during a pitch phase. Never produced or publicly released. Shown solely for portfolio purposes; all rights belong to their respective owners.
وَرِيثُ الغَابَةِ المَنسِيَّة
“Where nature whispers… a legend awakens.”
Heir of the Forgotten Forest is an award-winning animated short film by Firas Alkhuffash — winner of Best Director (Short Film) and Best Animation at the International Movie Awards Indie 2026, Best Animation Film at the Cine Vista Oasis Film Awards, Best Animated Film and Best Film Poster Design at the Bangkok Movie Awards, and Best Visual Effects at the World Class Film Awards — with official selections at the ICJ International Film Award, Film Fest Fusion, Canal de Panamá International Film Festival, AI FilmFest Serbia, and New Filmmakers New York.
“Behind every refugee statistic is a life carrying the weight of loss.”
Selected as a Finalist in the Poster Stellars 2026 — 6th Intercontinental Poster Competition, representing Saudi Arabia in the Cultural — Professional category. Chosen from 576 submissions, with only 270 posters reaching the final round.
Born of the Burden was created to raise awareness of the invisible emotional weight carried by millions of refugees around the world. Through a single visual, the goal was to tell a story of resilience, humanity, and hope.
A creative director who treats every brand like a universe waiting to be filmed.
A creative leader with 23+ years of experience across Saudi Arabia and the wider MENA region, leading multidisciplinary teams and delivering integrated work across branding, advertising, digital, packaging, and branded content. Combining strategic thinking with storytelling and emerging technologies, I create ideas that connect emotionally and deliver measurable business impact.
My articles on creativity, effectiveness, and emerging technologies have been published in Inc. Arabia and Campaign Middle East, and I proudly serve as a Jury Member for the Effie Awards Saudi Arabia, the MENA Effie Awards 2026, and the Athar Awards 2026 — Saudi Arabia’s Festival of Creativity. I also speak on creativity and technology, most recently delivering “Cinematic Creativity in the Age of AI” for the Arab Association of Civilization & Islamic Arts in Cairo, under the patronage of the Federation of the Islamic Universities League.
My award-winning cinematic short film, Heir of the Forgotten Forest, has earned international recognition, including Best Director (Short Film) and Best Animation at the International Movie Awards, Best Animation (Main Category) at the Cine Vista Oasis Film Awards, Best Animated Film and Best Film Poster Design at the Bangkok Movie Awards, Jury Award – Best Visual Effects and Honorable Mention – Best Animation at the World Class Film Awards, Official Selections at the ICJ International Film Award, Film Fest Fusion, Canal de Panamá International Film Festival and New Filmmakers New York, and Quarter-Finalist – Best AI Film at the AI FilmFest Serbia.
In poster design, my work Born of the Burden was selected as a Finalist in the Poster Stellars 2026 — 6th Intercontinental Poster Competition, representing Saudi Arabia in the Cultural — Professional category, chosen from 576 submissions with only 270 posters reaching the final round. The work has since been exhibited internationally at TTAH 2026 — Things That Almost Happened, the 23rd Busan International Environment Art Festival (BIEAF 2026), and Posterheroes 15 — STILL HUMAN.
Joining the jury of Saudi Arabia's Athar Festival of Creativity — judging the region's most effective creative work.
Named to the regional jury board — evaluating the most effective creative work across the Middle East and North Africa.
Sharing the news across LinkedIn and Instagram — joining the regional jury that awards ideas that work.
Honored to join the official jury board — judging the campaigns that prove creativity drives real, measurable results across the region.
Sharing the news of being named to the Effie Saudi jury board for 2026.
On the responsibility of judging the region's most effective creative work.
Attending the inaugural Effie Awards Saudi Arabia as a Jury Member.
Watch my on-camera interview from the inaugural Effie Awards Saudi Arabia ceremony.
Recognized by KSA Global Leaders for perspective on creative leadership in branding and marketing.
Why generative AI is reshaping — not replacing — the animator's craft, and what that means for the next generation of storytellers.
On building creativity as a repeatable system and process, rather than chasing one-off moments of inspiration.
Concept Creative concept developed during a pitch phase. Never produced or publicly released. Shown solely for portfolio purposes; all rights belong to their respective owners.
