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Culture Ministry Inaugurates Saudi Film Confex in Riyadh

The “Saudi Film Confex” is a platform that brings together relevant parties to enhance and promote filmmaking - SPA
The “Saudi Film Confex” is a platform that brings together relevant parties to enhance and promote filmmaking - SPA
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Culture Ministry Inaugurates Saudi Film Confex in Riyadh

The “Saudi Film Confex” is a platform that brings together relevant parties to enhance and promote filmmaking - SPA
The “Saudi Film Confex” is a platform that brings together relevant parties to enhance and promote filmmaking - SPA

Saudi Arabia's Deputy Minister of Culture Hamed bin Mohammed Fayez inaugurated the first edition of the Saudi Film Confex on Sunday at the Riyadh Front EXPO.

The event, which was held under the patronage of Minister of Culture and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Film Commission Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan Al Saud, draws select Arab and international filmmakers and several national, regional and international directors and industry experts in the Kingdom.

In the opening speech, Fayez stressed that art and culture continue to represent the spirit of Saudi society and are fundamental pillars of the Kingdom’s development.

According to SPa, he pointed to the efforts of the Ministry of Culture and the Saudi Film Commission to build a bright future for filmmaking and arts, in line with the Saudi Vision 2030, which was launched by His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

“Over the past few years, the film industry has been changing rapidly. Saudi films have placed our country onto the cultural world map in national and international arenas, and continue to highlight the creativity and talent available throughout the Kingdom,” Fayez said.
He stressed that the Ministry of Culture seeks to support filmmaking by establishing and developing industry-specific forums, such as the Saudi Film Confex, to ensure the exchange of experience, and facilitate communication among artists, local creators and international filmmakers.

He added: “We believe in the power of cinema and films and their prominent role in changing reality for the better and spreading our culture throughout the world. Therefore, the Film Commission will continue to support artistic and cinematic initiatives, contribute to developing skills, and expand the horizons of creativity, all of which come within the framework of our firm commitment to developing the art and cinema sector in our country.”

The “Saudi Film Confex” is a platform that brings together relevant parties to enhance and promote filmmaking and to publicize its importance to the national economy and investment opportunities in this field through three main pillars: industry trends, global practices, and challenges and opportunities in filmmaking; more than 100 experts and international figures in the field of filmmaking take part in it.

Some 50 speakers, including executives, investors and specialists from all over the world, will discuss the latest topics and technologies that support the film industry and its operations, and organize workshops, training sessions, and displays of cinematic products, projects and innovations related to filmmaking in the Kingdom and globally.

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Southern California Wildfires Claim Will Rogers Ranch, Other Landmarks

The devastation of the Palisades Fire is seen in the early morning in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Friday, Jan. 10, 2025. (AP)
The devastation of the Palisades Fire is seen in the early morning in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Friday, Jan. 10, 2025. (AP)
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Southern California Wildfires Claim Will Rogers Ranch, Other Landmarks

The devastation of the Palisades Fire is seen in the early morning in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Friday, Jan. 10, 2025. (AP)
The devastation of the Palisades Fire is seen in the early morning in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Friday, Jan. 10, 2025. (AP)

Raging wildfires that continue to burn a path of destruction through Southern California claimed the Will Rogers ranch along with a number of other local landmarks in what is already the most damaging fire in Los Angeles history.

Some monuments remain unscathed, such as the famous Hollywood sign that looms above the city in the Santa Monica mountains, and the Getty Villa, a museum named for billionaire oilman J. Paul Getty that houses a collection of artifacts and antiquities.

However, the Will Rogers ranch, home to the one-time vaudeville performer who rose to fame as a syndicated newspaper columnist, "cowboy philosopher," radio personality and movie star, was gutted on Tuesday by the Palisades Fire.

State parks employees were able to remove some of the cultural and historical artifacts from the Rogers home, though the 31-room ranch house and stables are gone. All that remains are two chimneys.

It is unclear whether touchstones from Rogers' life, such as a light fixture made from a wagon wheel and a stuffed calf that a friend gave him so he could rope on rainy day, were recovered.

"When you were there, you could really feel the guy’s presence," said Ben Yagoda, author of "Will Rogers: A Biography," who became overcome with emotion while discussing the loss. "It was kept exactly how they had it. It’s just such a lovely location and it’s very, very peaceful."

Another casualty of the fire was the Topanga Ranch Motel once owned by publisher William Randolph Hearst.

In Altadena, the Eaton Fire claimed the Bunny Museum, the quirky home to more than 46,000 rabbit-themed objects that owners Candace Frazee and Steve Lubanski collected over four decades. The museum, which earned a Guinness world record for amassing the most bunny-related items, was leveled by fire on Wednesday, despite attempts by Lubanski to save it.

"The museum was the last building to burn around us as Steve so valiantly hosed the building down all night long, but when the building next door went down, it spread to the museum," the owners wrote on Instagram.

The Reel Inn, a seafood shack on Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, was heavily damaged by the Palisades Fire. The restaurant known for its kitschy decor of faux sea creatures and twinkling lights was a local favorite, according to one review from Travel + Leisure.

"We are heartbroken and unsure what will be left," owners Teddy and Andy Leonard wrote on Instagram. "Hopefully, the state parks will let us rebuild when the dust settles."

The Queen Anne Victorian-style mansion Rand McNally co-founder Andrew McNally built in the late 1800s in Altadena was among the homes destroyed on Wednesday, according to video of the fire captured by ABC News.

"We aren't just losing homes -- we're losing history, culture, and pieces of our shared history," wrote Eric B. on the social media platform X.