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Saudi Arabia Allocates SAR 300 Million for Investments in Film Industry

The film sector in Saudi Arabia is witnessing an unprecedented stage of support and development. (The Cultural Development Fund)
The film sector in Saudi Arabia is witnessing an unprecedented stage of support and development. (The Cultural Development Fund)
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Saudi Arabia Allocates SAR 300 Million for Investments in Film Industry

The film sector in Saudi Arabia is witnessing an unprecedented stage of support and development. (The Cultural Development Fund)
The film sector in Saudi Arabia is witnessing an unprecedented stage of support and development. (The Cultural Development Fund)

The Saudi Cultural Development Fund (CDF) revealed a new investment program in the film sector at a value of 300 million Saudi riyals (about $80 million), and the launch of a global partnership with international institutions.

The Cultural Fund launched its new investment program on the sidelines of the Cannes Film Festival, which is being held in France, with the participation of various Saudi entities.

The CDF announced partnerships with MEFIC Capital and holding company ROAA Media Ventures to establish the Film Investment Fund, budgeted at $100 million.

The CDF will contribute 40% of the amount, through an investment program launched during the Cannes Festival, as part of the IGNITE government digital content program’s film sector financing initiative.

In this context, Mohammed bin Dayel, CEO of the CDF, said the new fund aims to invest in film sector companies and projects, and provide the necessary financing, build a network of entrepreneurs and distribution experts to support companies.

He added that the fund also seeks to collaborate with local and international investors and attract foreign expertise to turn the Kingdom into a major film-making center.

Bin Dayel stressed that the Saudi film industry was one of the fastest growing cultural sectors in the Kingdom, in light of the growing demand for cinematic content, which necessitates supporting visual content makers and companies.

The CDF plans through the investment track to achieve self-sustainability, and to build an effective and supportive film sector by 2030.

According to bin Dayel, the budget allocated to the Film Sector Financing Initiative is the highest among all artistic and cultural initiatives in Saudi Arabia.

He noted that the initiative is expected to contribute to developing creative talents and attracting foreign expertise, making the Kingdom a major center for the film industry in the region and the world.

In March, the Cultural Fund launched the lending program within the Film Sector Financing Initiative, which it designed to provide financing packages for small and medium-sized companies, as well as film production, distribution and infrastructure projects, as part of its efforts to support investment, enhance the profitability of the sector, and empower creators.

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Varieties

The Year's First Meteor Shower and Supermoon Clash in January Skies

People look up to the sky from an observatory near the village of Avren, Bulgaria, Aug. 12, 2009. (AP Photo/Petar Petrov, File)
People look up to the sky from an observatory near the village of Avren, Bulgaria, Aug. 12, 2009. (AP Photo/Petar Petrov, File)
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The Year's First Meteor Shower and Supermoon Clash in January Skies

People look up to the sky from an observatory near the village of Avren, Bulgaria, Aug. 12, 2009. (AP Photo/Petar Petrov, File)
People look up to the sky from an observatory near the village of Avren, Bulgaria, Aug. 12, 2009. (AP Photo/Petar Petrov, File)

The year's first supermoon and meteor shower will sync up in January skies, but the light from one may dim the other.

The Quadrantid meteor shower peaks Friday night into Saturday morning, according to the American Meteor Society. In dark skies during the peak, skygazers typically see around 25 meteors per hour, but this time they'll likely glimpse less than 10 per hour due to light from Saturday's supermoon, The AP news reported.

“The biggest enemy of enjoying a meteor shower is the full moon,” said Mike Shanahan, planetarium director at Liberty Science Center in New Jersey.

Meteor showers happen when speedy space rocks collide with Earth’s atmosphere, burning up and leaving fiery tails in their wake — the end of a “shooting star.” A handful of meteors are visible on any given night, but predictable showers appear annually when Earth passes through dense streams of cosmic debris.

Supermoons occur when a full moon is closer to Earth in its orbit. That makes it appear up to 14% bigger and 30% brighter than the faintest moon of the year, according to NASA. That difference can be tough to notice with the naked eye.

Supermoons, like all full moons, are visible in clear skies everywhere that it's night. The Quadrantids, on the other hand, can be seen mainly from the Northern Hemisphere. Both can be glimpsed without any special equipment.

To spot the Quadrantids, venture out in the early evening away from city lights and watch for fireballs before the moon crashes the party, said Jacque Benitez with the Morrison Planetarium at the California Academy of Sciences. Skygazers can also try looking during early dawn hours on Sunday.

Wait for your eyes to get used to the darkness, and don’t look at your phone. The space rocks will look like fast-moving white dots and appear over the whole sky.

Meteor showers are named for the constellation where the fireballs appear to come from. The Quadrantids — space debris from the asteroid 2003 EH1 — are named for a constellation that's no longer recognized.

The next major meteor shower, called the Lyrids, is slotted for April.

Supermoons happen a few times a year and come in groups, taking advantage of the sweet spot in the moon’s elliptical orbit. Saturday night’s event ends a four-month streak that started in October. There won't be another supermoon until the end of 2026.

Varieties

New Maritime Theater in Jazan to Host the City's Festival Opening

The site also includes various amenities, such as shopping zones, kiosks for dining, an art gallery - SPA
The site also includes various amenities, such as shopping zones, kiosks for dining, an art gallery - SPA
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New Maritime Theater in Jazan to Host the City's Festival Opening

The site also includes various amenities, such as shopping zones, kiosks for dining, an art gallery - SPA
The site also includes various amenities, such as shopping zones, kiosks for dining, an art gallery - SPA

The Jazan city theater on the southern corniche will host the opening ceremony of the Jazan Festival 2026 on Friday. This event will take place at a 35-square-kilometer site that features the Kingdom's largest maritime theater, SPA reported.

The theater accommodates more than 10,000 spectators and features five VIP areas. To ensure a smooth experience, the venue offers parking for over 9,000 vehicles, providing easy access during peak times.

Built specifically for the festival, the stage meets stringent safety and technical standards, providing a high-quality audiovisual experience against the stunning backdrop of the Red Sea.

The site also includes various amenities, such as shopping zones, kiosks for dining, an art gallery, a play area for children, a bird garden, and a regional museum, showcasing the region's history and culture.

This temporary maritime theater aims to provide a cohesive experience, integrating entertainment, culture, shopping, and services in one location, further establishing Jazan as a year-round destination for tourism and entertainment.

Varieties

Saudi Post Issues Commemorative Stamp for Riyadh Air

Saudi Post Issues Commemorative Stamp for Riyadh Air
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Saudi Post Issues Commemorative Stamp for Riyadh Air

Saudi Post Issues Commemorative Stamp for Riyadh Air

Saudi Post, in collaboration with Riyadh Air, has launched a commemorative stamp set priced at SAR3 to celebrate the airline’s inaugural flights on October 26, 2025, coinciding with the start of its operational phase.

This issuance marks the beginning of operational activities for Riyadh Air as a new national carrier, aiming to serve over 100 destinations worldwide, SPA reported.

Saudi Post's stamps commemorate major national and international events, preserving important moments in Saudi history and appealing to collectors and historians alike.