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Saudi Arabia Marks Its Strongest, Most Prominent Participation at Cannes Film Festival

The Saudi pavilion succeeded in confirming the position of Saudi Arabia as an incubator for the Arab film industry during the 74th edition if Cannes Film Festival. Asharq Al-Awsat
The Saudi pavilion succeeded in confirming the position of Saudi Arabia as an incubator for the Arab film industry during the 74th edition if Cannes Film Festival. Asharq Al-Awsat
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Saudi Arabia Marks Its Strongest, Most Prominent Participation at Cannes Film Festival

The Saudi pavilion succeeded in confirming the position of Saudi Arabia as an incubator for the Arab film industry during the 74th edition if Cannes Film Festival. Asharq Al-Awsat
The Saudi pavilion succeeded in confirming the position of Saudi Arabia as an incubator for the Arab film industry during the 74th edition if Cannes Film Festival. Asharq Al-Awsat

As the Cannes Film Festival wraps up its 74th edition on Saturday, many of those following the international event turned their attention to Saudi Arabia, which participated actively and remarkably.

Saudi Arabia participated in the Cannes Film Festival through an integrated Saudi pavilion, with wide participation from a number of government agencies, and the private sector.

The activities were organized upon the directions of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman Abdelaziz, as part of his continuous support for the Kingdom’s cultural sector.

While Saudi Arabia had taken part in the 71st edition, this year was different.

The public sector played a role alongside the private sector, and participated at an unprecedented scale, with the participation of the Film Commission, Ministry of Investment, Royal Commission for AlUla, Red Sea International Film Festival, the MBC channel group, Ithraa, NEOM Company, Nebras Films, Cinewaves films, and Arabian Pictures Group, in addition to a group of filmmakers and other Saudi institutions.

During the festival, the Saudi pavilion also acted as a platform for open dialogue among Saudi and Arab filmmakers and investors with their international counterparts.

The Saudi pavilion succeeded in confirming the position of Saudi Arabia as an incubator for the Arab film industry, and a significant and influential market in the Middle East, where aspirations of investors from around the world meet.

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Varieties

'Amphibious Mouse' among 27 New Species Discovered in Peru's Amazon

A clearwing butterfly (Oleria sp.) specimen, from one of the 218 species of butterflies observed during an expedition to the Peruvian region of Alto Mayo, is pictured, June 8, 2022. Conservation International/photo by Marlon Dag/Handout via REUTERS
A clearwing butterfly (Oleria sp.) specimen, from one of the 218 species of butterflies observed during an expedition to the Peruvian region of Alto Mayo, is pictured, June 8, 2022. Conservation International/photo by Marlon Dag/Handout via REUTERS
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'Amphibious Mouse' among 27 New Species Discovered in Peru's Amazon

A clearwing butterfly (Oleria sp.) specimen, from one of the 218 species of butterflies observed during an expedition to the Peruvian region of Alto Mayo, is pictured, June 8, 2022. Conservation International/photo by Marlon Dag/Handout via REUTERS
A clearwing butterfly (Oleria sp.) specimen, from one of the 218 species of butterflies observed during an expedition to the Peruvian region of Alto Mayo, is pictured, June 8, 2022. Conservation International/photo by Marlon Dag/Handout via REUTERS

An "amphibious mouse" with partially webbed feet that eats aquatic insects was among 27 new species discovered during a 2022 expedition to Peru's Amazon, according to Conservation International.

Scientists also discovered a spiny mouse, a squirrel, eight types of fish, three amphibians and 10 types of butterflies, Trond Larsen, head of Conservation International's Rapid Assessment Program, told Reuters this week.

He added that another 48 species found by investigators were potentially new, but needed further study.

The new species were found in Alto Mayo, a protected area with several ecosystems, Indigenous territories and villages.

"Discovering so many new species of mammals and vertebrates is really incredible, especially in such a human-influenced landscape as Alto Mayo," Larsen said.

The expedition between June and July 2022 was made up of 13 scientists plus local technicians and members of Indigenous groups.

"It was really fantastic to work so closely with the Awajun people. They have extensive traditional knowledge about the forests, animals and plants they live side-by-side with," Larsen said.

Among the new species, Larsen highlighted the spiny mouse that has stiff fur, the amphibious mouse, and a dwarf squirrel that measures 14 cm (5.5 in).

"(The squirrel) fits so easily in the palm of your hand. Adorable and beautiful chestnut-brown color, very fast," Larsen said. "It jumps quickly and hides in the trees."

Another favorite discovery was the blob-headed fish, a type of armored catfish, he said.

A total of 2,046 species were recorded during the 38-day expedition using camera traps, bioacoustic sensors and DNA sampling. Among them, 49 were classified as threatened, including the yellow-tailed woolly monkey and the tree monkey.

Larsen said the discoveries reinforced the need to protect the area.

"Unless steps are taken now to safeguard these sites and help restore parts of the landscape ... there's a strong chance they won't persist in the long term," Larsen said.