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.



World’s Largest Light Art Festival in Riyadh Sees Over 3 Million Spectators

Under the theme Light Years Apart, audiences experienced the festival across three iconic hubs: King Abdulaziz Historical Center, Wadi Hanifah, and JAX District. SPA
Under the theme Light Years Apart, audiences experienced the festival across three iconic hubs: King Abdulaziz Historical Center, Wadi Hanifah, and JAX District. SPA
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World’s Largest Light Art Festival in Riyadh Sees Over 3 Million Spectators

Under the theme Light Years Apart, audiences experienced the festival across three iconic hubs: King Abdulaziz Historical Center, Wadi Hanifah, and JAX District. SPA
Under the theme Light Years Apart, audiences experienced the festival across three iconic hubs: King Abdulaziz Historical Center, Wadi Hanifah, and JAX District. SPA

Noor Riyadh, the world’s largest light art festival and a flagship program of Riyadh Art, concluded its successful fourth edition, welcoming over 3 million spectators and bringing together over 60 artworks by more than 60 artists from 18 countries, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.

Under the theme Light Years Apart, audiences experienced the festival across three iconic hubs: King Abdulaziz Historical Center, Wadi Hanifah, and JAX District.

The festival also featured a striking city-scale light installation at Al Faisaliah Tower, transforming Riyadh into a luminous celebration of art and innovation. This year’s festival brought together 18 Saudi and 43 international artists with site-specific and newly commissioned artworks.

Exceptional installations included Chris Levine’s Higher Power, a city-scale laser projection atop Al Faisaliah Tower; Maryam Tariq’s Shifting Perspectives, which explored perceptual ambiguity at Digital City; and Aether by United Visual Artists, a dazzling drone show at King Abdulaziz Historical Center. Another standout work, Rashed AlShashai’s The Fifth Pyramid, symbolized Riyadh’s cultural transformation.

Architect Khalid Al-Hazani, the executive director of Riyadh Art, bid farewell to the festival, saying: “Noor Riyadh 2024 celebrated humanity’s connection to the stars, sparking inspiration and dialogue through the universal language of art. We look forward to continuing Riyadh’s journey of cultural transformation.”
As for Noor Riyadh festival director Nouf Almoneef, he said: “Once again, this year’s festival united local and international artists for a truly world-class festival.”

“I extend my deepest gratitude to the incredible team -- our staff, volunteers, and partners for their exceptional efforts and collaboration, as well as to the millions of spectators whose engagement made this festival unforgettable,” SPA quoted him as saying.

As part of the community engagement program, which attracted over 52,000 participants, Noor Riyadh organized a variety of activities designed to inspire and connect with the community. These included engaging talks, insightful discussions, interactive workshops, creative experiences, family-friendly activities, and guided tours that enriched the festival experience for visitors.

The seamless execution of these activities was made possible by a dedicated team comprising curators, artists, art explainers, tour guides, and installation crews, ensuring every participant enjoyed a memorable experience.