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Saudi Film Commission Launches ‘Saudi Film Nights’ in Australia

The Saudi Film Commission is bringing Saudi Film Nights to the Sydney Opera House and Sofitel Melbourne on Collins on June 26-28. (SPA)
The Saudi Film Commission is bringing Saudi Film Nights to the Sydney Opera House and Sofitel Melbourne on Collins on June 26-28. (SPA)
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Saudi Film Commission Launches ‘Saudi Film Nights’ in Australia

The Saudi Film Commission is bringing Saudi Film Nights to the Sydney Opera House and Sofitel Melbourne on Collins on June 26-28. (SPA)
The Saudi Film Commission is bringing Saudi Film Nights to the Sydney Opera House and Sofitel Melbourne on Collins on June 26-28. (SPA)

The Saudi Film Commission, in partnership with Australian production company Blacksand Pictures, is bringing Saudi Film Nights to the Sydney Opera House and Sofitel Melbourne on Collins on June 26-28, the Saudi Press Agency said on Thursday.
The event is aimed at fostering collaboration between the Australian and Saudi film industries. There will be two separate screenings, each comprising two films. Audiences can enjoy "Hajjan" by director Abu Bakr Shawky, screened alongside the short film "Me & Aydarous" by director Sara Balghonaim, or watch the comedy-drama "Alhamour H.A." by director Abdulelah Alqurashi, shown with animated stop-motion short "Saleeg" from director Afnan Bawyan.
Each screening will be followed by a question-and-answer session with visiting Saudi film representatives. The events will be mainly attended by local film industry professionals.
Saudi Film Nights reflects the commission’s commitment to promoting the Kingdom’s film culture and highlighting Saudi films on an international stage. "We are also fostering collaboration between international film communities, including the Australian film industry, to exchange expertise and knowledge”, said Saudi Film Commission CEO Abdullah bin Nasser Al-Qahtani.
“The selection committee, composed of Alan Finney and Jane Jeffes, has chosen some of the best Saudi productions to present in Australia”, said Kauthar Abdulalim, the founder of Blacksand Pictures.
The event reflects the Saudi Film Commission’s unwavering dedication to fostering global partnerships and leveraging cultural exchange as a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and establishing strong relationships in global cinema for the exchange of expertise and knowledge.

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Varieties

Thousands Bid Farewell to Tokyo Zoo Pandas Before Return to China

Shin Shin relaxes in her enclosure on the last day of viewing before she and another panda, Ri Ri, are sent back to China after 13 years, at Tokyo's Ueno Zoo on September 28, 2024. (Photo by Richard A. Brooks / AFP)
Shin Shin relaxes in her enclosure on the last day of viewing before she and another panda, Ri Ri, are sent back to China after 13 years, at Tokyo's Ueno Zoo on September 28, 2024. (Photo by Richard A. Brooks / AFP)
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Thousands Bid Farewell to Tokyo Zoo Pandas Before Return to China

Shin Shin relaxes in her enclosure on the last day of viewing before she and another panda, Ri Ri, are sent back to China after 13 years, at Tokyo's Ueno Zoo on September 28, 2024. (Photo by Richard A. Brooks / AFP)
Shin Shin relaxes in her enclosure on the last day of viewing before she and another panda, Ri Ri, are sent back to China after 13 years, at Tokyo's Ueno Zoo on September 28, 2024. (Photo by Richard A. Brooks / AFP)

Thousands of thankful, sobbing fans flocked to a Tokyo zoo Saturday to bid an emotional farewell to a pair of beloved pandas before their imminent return to China, Agence France Presse reported.

Sporting T-shirts, hats and sun umbrellas featuring the black and white bears, visitors shed tears, took selfies and eagerly waved at Ri Ri and Shin Shin on the panda couple's penultimate day at Tokyo's Ueno Zoological Gardens.

More than 2,000 panda lovers formed long queues outside the zoo Saturday morning, some having spent the whole night there armed with picnic blankets and camping chairs.

Among the most committed was Mayuko Sumida, 44, who said she had arrived around 10 pm the previous night, carrying with her panda-shaped key rings.

"I'm overwhelmed," she said after admiring the two for the last time.

"They are the best duo that brings comfort and smiles to me."

The mammals are immensely popular around the world, and China loans them out as part of a "panda diplomacy" program to foster foreign ties.

The pandas Ri Ri and Shin Shin arrived at Ueno Zoo in 2011 and were due to stay until February 2026, but Japan and China agreed it would be better for the 19-year-olds to return to their home country in light of their declining health.

They will be transported back to China on Sunday.

- 'Emotional support' pandas -

On Saturday, strict crowd control measures were in place at the zoo to escort fans away after giving them just a few minutes to adore and photograph the pair through the glass.

Ri Ri and Shin Shin were "like the sun to me" and "always gave me emotional support,” Machiko Seki, who like other fans wore black to avoid window reflections ruining their pictures, told AFP.

"When I look at their smiles, whatever worries me just goes away... I can't be more grateful for them," the woman in her 50s said, shedding tears.

The pair gave birth in 2017 to cub Xiang Xiang -- the zoo's first baby panda since 1988, who became a massive draw -- as well as twins in 2021.

Many fans cried when Xiang Xiang was returned to China last year, and her departure was broadcast live on local television.

Michiyo Matoba, 61, has been coming to see Xiang Xiang's parents almost every week.

"Ri Ri loves climbing trees so I hope he will enjoy those mountains of China as much as he likes, and the glutton Shin Shin will hopefully start eating to her heart's content after regaining her health,” she said.