Saudi Film Commission Showcases Vision and Partnerships at 4th Red Sea International Film Festival

The Saudi Film Commission said its participation in the festival builds on its legacy of driving growth in the national film industry
The Saudi Film Commission said its participation in the festival builds on its legacy of driving growth in the national film industry
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Saudi Film Commission Showcases Vision and Partnerships at 4th Red Sea International Film Festival

The Saudi Film Commission said its participation in the festival builds on its legacy of driving growth in the national film industry
The Saudi Film Commission said its participation in the festival builds on its legacy of driving growth in the national film industry

The Saudi Film Commission is set to participate in the fourth edition of the Red Sea International Film Festival, held in Jeddah on December 5-14.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the commission said its presence underscores the Film Commission's commitment to elevating Saudi Arabia's cinematic productions by supporting local talent and fostering impactful partnerships with leading international film institutions.

Central to its involvement, the commission will unveil a dedicated pavilion at the Red Sea "Souk", offering festival attendees an in-depth look at its role in shaping Saudi Arabia's burgeoning film industry. The commission said the pavilion will spotlight its strategic initiatives aimed at positioning the Kingdom as a global hub for filmmaking.

One of the highlights of this year's participation is the showcase of four films supported by the Film Commission through its programs, including "Daw" and "Cash Rebate Program".

The films are Saifi, Farasan Island, Me and My Driver, and Hobal. This support reflects the commission's ongoing efforts to empower Saudi creators and enhance the reach of Saudi cinematic works to local and global audiences.

The Red Sea International Film Festival, a pioneering event in the Kingdom, showcases a dynamic blend of local and international cinematic works. It celebrates creativity across genres and cultures, presenting prestigious awards in diverse film categories. Running alongside the festival, the Red Sea Film Market "Souk" (December 7-11) serves as a crucial incubator for film projects, offering resources and opportunities to elevate local productions to international standards.

The Saudi Film Commission said its participation builds on its legacy of driving growth in the national film industry. It aims to empower Saudi filmmakers, connect them with global industry leaders, and amplify the Kingdom's cultural narrative on the world stage. Through this engagement, the commission continues to deliver on its mission to enable the Saudi film industry, nurture creativity, and support the next generation of storytellers.



Scientists: Melting Sea Ice in Antarctica Causes Ocean Storms

Scientists know the damaging consequences of the loss of Antarctic sea ice. Juan BARRETO / AFP
Scientists know the damaging consequences of the loss of Antarctic sea ice. Juan BARRETO / AFP
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Scientists: Melting Sea Ice in Antarctica Causes Ocean Storms

Scientists know the damaging consequences of the loss of Antarctic sea ice. Juan BARRETO / AFP
Scientists know the damaging consequences of the loss of Antarctic sea ice. Juan BARRETO / AFP

The record-breaking retreat of Antarctic sea ice in 2023 has led to more frequent storms over newly exposed parts of the Southern Ocean, according to a study published Wednesday.
Scientists know that the loss of Antarctic sea ice can diminish penguin numbers, cause ice shelves to melt in warmer waters, and impede the Southern Ocean from absorbing carbon dioxide, AFP reported.
But this new research, published in the peer-reviewed journal Nature, explores another consequence: increased heat loss from the ocean to the atmosphere, and an associated rise in storms.
Since 2016 there has been a large-scale reduction in Antarctic sea ice, but nothing like 2023 when a record amount failed to reform over the winter.
For this study, Simon Josey of the UK's National Oceanography Center and colleagues focused on three regions that experienced unusually high levels of sea-ice retreat that year.
Using satellite imagery, ocean and atmospheric data, and wind and temperature measurements, they found some newly ice-free areas experienced double the heat loss compared to a stabler period before 2015.
This was accompanied by "increases in atmospheric-storm frequency" over previously ice-covered regions, the authors found.
"In the sea-ice-decline regions, the June–July storm frequency has increased by up to 7days per month in 2023 relative to 1990–2015."
The loss of heat caused by reduced sea ice could have implications for how the ocean circulates and the wider climate system, the study added.
Oceans are a crucial climate regulator and carbon sink, storing more than 90 percent of the excess heat trapped near Earth's surface by greenhouse gas emissions.
In particular, sea-ice retreat could mean changes in how a deeper layer of cold, dense Antarctic bottom water absorbs and stores heat.
The authors said further in-depth analysis of possible climate impacts were needed, including if sea-ice retreat could have even further-reaching consequences.
"Repeated low ice-cover conditions in subsequent winters will strengthen these impacts and are also likely to lead to profound changes further afield, including the tropics and the Northern Hemisphere," it said.