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Film Commission to Launch Third Edition of Saudi Film Confex in October

Film Commission to Launch Third Edition of Saudi Film Confex in October
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Film Commission to Launch Third Edition of Saudi Film Confex in October

Film Commission to Launch Third Edition of Saudi Film Confex in October

The Film Commission is preparing to launch the third edition of the Saudi Film Confex, set to take place from October 22 to 25 in Riyadh, under the theme “A Gathering That Transforms the Scene.”

The event will convene leading filmmakers, local and international producers, and industry specialists from across the global cinematic sector.

Building on the momentum of previous editions, the confex aims to strengthen its role as a catalyst for the growth and empowerment of Saudi Arabia’s film industry. This includes driving investment, fostering strategic partnerships, and aligning with the Kingdom’s National Culture Strategy under Vision 2030, which places cultural development among its top priorities.

Positioned as a dynamic networking platform, the Saudi Film Confex connects all players in the filmmaking ecosystem, from production and distribution companies to technical and logistical service providers, as well as investors and funding institutions.

The event will highlight filming and production opportunities, encourage high-value collaborations, reinforce the nation’s film infrastructure, and support startups and entrepreneurs in the sector.

The third edition will host an international conference featuring more than 30 panel discussions and workshops covering topics such as film financing, content development, and regulatory frameworks. The program will also include side events and specialized workshops designed to introduce audiences and young talent to career paths and professional specializations within this promising industry.

The confex will host an expanded exhibition with more than 130 local, regional, and international participants, with dedicated areas for production companies and production studios, equipment rental and cinematic technology providers, software and post-production solutions, creative technologies, streaming, distribution, and screening platforms, as well as government and strategic partners.

The exhibition will also feature participants from related sectors, including educational institutions, film associations, and funding and investment bodies.

Exhibitor registration for the Saudi Film Confex 2025 is now open to local and global companies within the cinematic value chain, as well as government and regulatory entities, via the confex’s official social media accounts and through the direct link: https://saudifilmconfex.com.

Registered exhibitors will have the opportunity to present their projects, showcase the latest innovations and opportunities across the film industry value chain, and build strategic partnerships that will drive market growth and strengthen the Kingdom's global presence.

Following the standout success of the 2024 edition—with its notable attendance and high-profile participation—the upcoming confex is expanding its content and activities to highlight the industry’s growing economic impact and elevate Saudi talent on the world stage, supporting the creation of a competitive, world-class Saudi film sector.

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Culture

‘Unique’ 16th Century Wreck Found off Sweden

A Swedish flag flutters in front of residential houses in Stockholm, Sweden, September 14, 2023. (Reuters)
A Swedish flag flutters in front of residential houses in Stockholm, Sweden, September 14, 2023. (Reuters)
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‘Unique’ 16th Century Wreck Found off Sweden

A Swedish flag flutters in front of residential houses in Stockholm, Sweden, September 14, 2023. (Reuters)
A Swedish flag flutters in front of residential houses in Stockholm, Sweden, September 14, 2023. (Reuters)

A 16th century shipwreck providing "unique historical and archaeological information" has been discovered off Sweden's southeastern coast, officials announced on Tuesday.

The ship, which has yet to be identified, is believed to have been built in the late 1500s, which would make it older than Sweden's iconic 17th-century warship "Vasa" on display in Stockholm after being salvaged in the 1960s.

A navy vessel found the wreck during a military exercise in late 2025 in Kalmar Strait, located between Sweden's southeastern mainland and the Baltic Sea island of Oland.

"After dendrochronological analysis of part of the wreck, results indicate that the ship was built in the late 1500s," the County Administrative Board in Kalmar said in a statement, referring to the scientific method of dating wood and trees.

"The shipwreck is of significant cultural historical value," antiquarian Daniel Tedenlind said in the statement.

The site is currently under protection, monitored by the coast guard, and has been designated a historic monument. No diving, fishing or anchoring is permitted near the area.

Thanks to the Baltic Sea's unique combination of brackish water, cold, darkness and low oxygen, many wooden shipwrecks are preserved in good condition.

Culture

Saudi Museums Commission Explores Tapline's Historical and Cultural Legacy

Saudi Museums Commission Explores Tapline's Historical and Cultural Legacy
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Saudi Museums Commission Explores Tapline's Historical and Cultural Legacy

Saudi Museums Commission Explores Tapline's Historical and Cultural Legacy

Saudi Arabia’s Museums Commission organized a virtual session as part of its monthly open-meeting series, during which it explored the historical and social legacy of the Trans-Arabian Pipeline (Tapline) and its role in shaping the identity of Northern Borders Region, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Tuesday.

The meeting highlighted Tapline’s story as one of the largest construction projects of the 20th century. Construction began in 1947, and operations commenced in 1950, linking the oil fields of eastern Saudi Arabia to the port of Sidon on Lebanon’s Mediterranean coast.

Pumping operations ceased permanently in 1990.

Speakers focused on transforming this industrial legacy into a contemporary museum narrative that highlights Tapline's impact on the emergence of modern cities in the Northern Borders Region.

The meeting concluded with an open dialogue on the role of museums and exhibitions in preserving industrial memory while transforming it into cultural platforms that strengthen connections to national identity.

Culture

Archaeologists at Pompeii Use AI to Reveal the Face of One of the Victims

A view of the Pompeii Archeological Park, near Naples, southern Italy, on Dec. 14, 2022. (AP)
A view of the Pompeii Archeological Park, near Naples, southern Italy, on Dec. 14, 2022. (AP)
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Archaeologists at Pompeii Use AI to Reveal the Face of One of the Victims

A view of the Pompeii Archeological Park, near Naples, southern Italy, on Dec. 14, 2022. (AP)
A view of the Pompeii Archeological Park, near Naples, southern Italy, on Dec. 14, 2022. (AP)

Archaeologists at the ancient Roman site of Pompeii have used artificial intelligence for the first time to digitally reconstruct the face of a victim of the AD 79 eruption of Mount Vesuvius that smothered the city, offering a new way to understand one of history’s most famous natural disasters.

The digital portrait represents an older man who was among two victims discovered as they attempted to flee the city toward the coast of what is now Italy during the volcanic eruption. Researchers believe the man died earlier in the disaster, during a heavy fall of volcanic debris.

The reconstruction was developed by the Pompeii Archaeological Park in collaboration with the University of Padua and is based on archaeological survey data from excavations near the Porta Stabia necropolis, just outside the walls of the ancient city.

Pompeii, a UNESCO World Heritage site near Naples, was buried under ash and pumice when Mount Vesuvius erupted nearly 2,000 years ago, preserving the city and thousands of its inhabitants in remarkable detail.

Archaeologists found the victim holding a terracotta mortar, which they interpret as an improvised attempt to shield his head from falling lapilli, the small volcanic stones rained down during the eruption.

Ancient accounts, including those of Roman writer Pliny the Younger, describe residents using objects to protect themselves as ash and debris blanketed the city.

The man was also carrying an oil lamp, a small iron ring and 10 bronze coins, personal objects that offer insight into his final moments, as well as daily life in Pompeii before the catastrophe.

The digital portrait was created using artificial intelligence and photo-editing techniques designed to translate skeletal and archaeological data into a realistic human likeness.

“The vastness of archaeological data is now such that only with the help of artificial intelligence will we be able to adequately protect and enhance them. If used well, AI can contribute to a renewal of classical studies,” Pompeii park director Gabriel Zuchtriegel said in a statement.

The project aims to make archaeological research more accessible and emotionally engaging for the public while maintaining a scientific foundation, researchers said.