The Saudi documentary film "Horizon" has won the prestigious Platinum Hermes International Creative Award for 2024 in the Strategic Campaigns Category. The film faced tough competition from several other renowned international works.
Produced by Saudi Arabia’s Konoz Initiative, one of the initiatives of the Government Communication Center of the Ministry of Media in collaboration with the National Center for Wildlife (NCW), the film showcases a diverse range of wildlife, including the dugong (sea cow), dolphins, the Arabian leopard, various gazelle species, and oryx.
It also highlights Saudi Arabia's rich biodiversity, with over 10,000 species, each uniquely adapted to its environment.
Filming for the documentary took over 200 days, with a specialized crew of 50 people traveling over 4,700 km to shoot in 28 locations. The project involved 13 Saudi wildlife experts.
The Konoz initiative is part of the Human Capability Development Program under the Kingdom's Vision 2030 realization programs. It aims to visually document the Kingdom's treasures and contribute to an artistic shift in film production.
The initiative has produced several works, such as "A Difficult Stage," "Nawras Al-Arab (Arabian Gull)," "Ala Hadden Sawa (Alike)," "What Do Saudis Eat," and "Saudi Atlas."
"Horizon" aims to raise awareness of about the Kingdom's environmental diversity, introduce its unique geographical areas, showcase efforts to protect wildlife and conserve rare species by highlighting the breathtaking nature teeming with plant and animal life.
The Kingdom is committed to environmental protection as a program and goal of Vision 2030, prioritizing wildlife conservation and enacting strict regulations to protect it under NCW supervision.
The Hermes Creative Awards have received over 325,000 entries from 135 countries since their inception. The American International Award was launched 27 years ago and is among the oldest and largest international creative competitions.
The awards honor the most distinguished entries from individuals and media institutions each year for their excellence in marketing, creativity, communication, advertising, and impact.
