The Saudi Film Forum reviews the diversity of the Kingdom’s environments in the film industry

Saudi Film Forum

The session was attended by the advisor at the King Abdulaziz House, Maha Al Khashil, the supervisor of the Ibn Hattan Photographic Archive, Elham Al-Dosari, the general director of the National Archives at the Film Authority, Abdullah Al-Abdullah, and the director, Kavita Prasad. CEO of Prasad Corporation, and the discussion was moderated by researcher Shouq Al-Barjas from the Institute of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London.

She highlighted a session entitled "Saudi regions: cinematic destinations"highlighting the diversity of environments in the regions of the Kingdom and their role in enabling filmmaking, and reviewing emerging initiatives and advanced experiences in attracting international productions.

The session was attended by Phillip Jones, CEO of Tourism at the Royal Commission for AlUla Governorate, CEO of the Hail Region Development Authority Omar Al Abdul-Jabbar, and Director General of the General Administration of Culture and Arts at the Royal Commission for the City of Riyadh, Muhammad Muhammad Obaidullah, moderated by presenter and actor Yasser Al-Saqqaf.

Saudi Cinema

And in a session entitled "Partnerships: The future of the Saudi film industry"The mechanisms of joint production between local and international institutions and the exchange of experiences that contribute to developing the industry’s infrastructure and enhancing its global presence were discussed, with the participation of Amanda Nevill, the strategic advisor for the international film and television industries, and Thomas McGrath, Chairman of the Board of Directors of ILP Theatrical Company, and the session was moderated by researcher Shouq Al-Barjas.

And I had a session "Academic programs: the launch into the world of professionalism" The importance of cinematic education in building national competencies, through specialized educational programs and applied curricula that contribute to raising the level of skill and professionalism and keeping pace with the requirements of the global market.

The session was attended by Anne Carlisle, an arts and culture education expert, Neil Peplow, Director of the Department of Education in Media, and Ahlam Al-Ruwaili, Head of the Performing Arts Department at King Saud University, while she moderated the session. Director at Imam Abdul Rahman bin Faisal University, Maha Al-Saati.

Experiences of Saudi creatives

She reviewed a session "Saudi screen makers" The experiences of Saudi creatives who moved from their first attempts to building a professional production system and international partnerships in the film industry, with the participation of producer Talal Al-Enezi, CEO of Black Light and Comedy House, co-founder of Ideation Studios, Ayman Jamal, and CEO of SPT Hajar Al-Naim, and the session was moderated by media personality Sami Jamil.

It discussed session "Original productions on digital and traditional streaming platforms" Film distribution strategy and diversification of viewing channels to maintain box office revenues in light of the shift towards modern platforms, with the participation of Jun Bang, CEO of CJ 4D PLEX, Young Seok Nam, CEO of Megabox, and Adon Quinn, CEO of Muvi. The introduction session was moderated by Lama, founder of Discussions media. Al-Hamawi.

Co-productions

A session was gathered "Film Bodies: Prospects of Cooperation for Joint Production" Film leaders from various countries to discuss cooperation paths, exchange experiences, and coordinate incentives to accelerate joint productions, with the participation of Julien Ezanno, advisor for bilateral affairs at the National Center for Cinema and the Moving Image, and Annie Murray, CEO of the New Zealand Film Authority, and its media director, Fatima Fahd.

The events were concluded. Sessions of the second day with a session entitled "How technology has rewritten the cinematic landscape"It discussed how modern technologies have contributed to raising the quality of production, reducing time and costs, and facilitating access to highly professional post-shooting tools, with the participation of Christian Richter, CEO of RRI, Kinda Ibrahim, Regional Director of Operations at TikTok in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia, and Rasha Ali, Director of the Gulf Production Department at MBC Group / Shahid Platform, The session was moderated by Lama Al-Hamwi.

Filmmaking in the Kingdom

By holding the forum, the Film Authority aims to empower local companies and filmmakers, attract investments and strengthen partnerships locally and internationally, in addition to providing a platform for exchanging experiences between industry professionals, and highlighting the Kingdom’s position as a regional center for the film industry.

The forum witnesses the organization of an international conference It presents more than (50) dialogue sessions and workshops specialized in developing content and organizing the sector, presented by more than 60 speakers from 35 countries, in addition to an expanded exhibition that includes more than (300) local, regional and international entities, including production companies, studios, cinematic equipment and technologies, reflecting the rapid growth witnessed by the film industry in the Kingdom.