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Cultural Development Fund Participates in the Red Sea Film Festival

Photo by SPA
Photo by SPA
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Cultural Development Fund Participates in the Red Sea Film Festival

Photo by SPA
Photo by SPA

The Saudi Cultural Development Fund (CDF) participated as an official sponsor of the third edition of the Red Sea International Film Festival (RSIFF), from November 30 to December 9, as part of its strategy to establish partnerships, with the non-profit sector, that contribute to the sustainable development of the Saudi film sector, according to a CDF press release.

According to the report, the interest in the fund-presented initiatives created "an atmosphere of dynamic cultural exchange", highlighting "the positive impact of the fund in enabling the sector and contributing to its development".

CDF hosted a "FilmFunding Lunch" at the Wasl Art Space, on December 3, on the sidelines of the festival. The event aligned with the fund's vision, enabled those working in the sector by opening lines of direct communication in a setting designed specifically for top local and international companies, giving them the opportunity to engage in private consultations, become aware of challenges and promote the Film Sector Financing Program, SPA reported.

Saudi Cultural Development Fund Chief Investment and Credit Officer Abdullah Alkhaldi, in a panel discussion titled "Unlocking Co-Production Opportunities with the Arab World", shed light on the government’s role in facilitating investments in the film sector.

Alkhaldi also talked about the fund's endeavor to offer comprehensive financial support for the sector’s full value chain, with a focus on de-risking investments to facilitate market entry for local and international businesses.

CDF concluded its participation at the festival by celebrating the first world premiere of “Ahlam Alasr”, by the Godus brothers “Sohayb Godus and Faris Godus”. The tickets for the film premiere were sold out within five days of the festival; the film garnered wide acclaim from both audience and critics. It was funded by CDF through its Cultural Projects Incentive Program.

Launched two years ago in partnership with the Quality of Life Program, the fund allocated a budget of SAR181 million to provide non-recoupable financing for projects in the cultural sectors, including filmmaking, to meet the needs of the cultural sector and contribute to its development.

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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.