Startup of the Week: Glitz Lights: Yet another way to beautify surroundings

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Updated 05 October 2020
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Startup of the Week: Glitz Lights: Yet another way to beautify surroundings

  • Safety is always a priority with Glitz Lights, and the company always ensures the correct voltage for the size of the light

JEDDAH: Glitz Lights, which specializes in neon signs and neon art, started off as a passion that turned into a business.

It was founded by 24-year-old Saudi graphic designer Layan Farhan in 2017 and is the first online store in the Kingdom that specializes in neon signs.

“Glitz is a neon business that I started where I can share my ideas and creativity in the form of lights, and what better way to do that than in neon,” Farhan told Arab News. “I’ve always been obsessed with neon. I was always surfing the web for them and looking at international works. Locally, I just see restaurant signs, I never saw the beauty of neon lights with colors and shapes. You can get so creative with it.”

During her travels abroad she saw how neon lights were made and saw the beauty of their colors.

“It made me want to dive deeper in this field. It made me think, why don’t we have neon shops here? Instead of it being a sign outside a restaurant, it should be part of the interior. It can be anywhere — home, work, or something small for an outdoor area.”

She thought about it as a business idea for a while and decided to take a step forward during Ramadan in 2017.

“I rented a booth at an event and sold small neon lights. I researched a lot about neon lights so I could explain to people what they are and how they can be a unique decorative item. I received very good feedback.”

She said many people thought that the company’s founder was a man because it was unusual for women to deal with electricity, glass tubes and bulbs. As the owner of the company, it was important for her to learn the details about a product before handing it over to the customer.

“It was strange at first, a girl running a business like this. People would always be surprised when they found a girl was running the business. I learned a lot through this experience. In these three years, me, as a girl, I learned about things I wouldn’t have thought of learning before (about) electricity, lights and such.”

Customers can find different colors, shapes and sizes of neon lights. They can also customize their own sign.

The company’s Instagram account shows slogans, images and even Saudi Arabia’s national emblem of two crossed swords and a palm tree — all in neon.

“To me, neon signs are a popular way to enhance your interior design whether you’re at home or at the workplace. It's a new and modern way to enliven any space.”

Safety is always a priority with Glitz Lights, and the company always ensures the correct voltage for the size of the light. “We pay attention to every detail. We would never use high voltage on small lights.”

Find the store on Instagram: @glitz.lights

 


REVIEW: ‘Atomfall’ is a quirky apocalypse featuring retro paranoia and tea-fueled resilience

Updated 16 April 2025
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REVIEW: ‘Atomfall’ is a quirky apocalypse featuring retro paranoia and tea-fueled resilience

LONDON: “Atomfall” is a game that defies easy categorization. Set in a post-apocalyptic version of the English Lake District, this curious hybrid feels like “Fallout” wandered into a “Stalker” fever dream while binge-watching “The Wicker Man,” with just a touch of Austin Powers’ absurdity thrown in for good measure.

It’s a love letter to Britain’s eerie countryside, retro paranoia and weird tea-fueled resilience — and somehow, it works.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Atomfall (@atomfallgame)

You start as a nameless survivor with no real background, no memory, and no clear purpose beyond “get out.” A short newsreel hints at some nuclear disaster, but from there, it’s up to you to piece things together through exploration and investigation. There’s no hand-holding here, but there are helpful instructions to get you going. The narrative is loose, but intriguingly so — it’s more about what you discover than what you’re told.

The open world is split into main landscape regions, each with its own aesthetic and mood. The Lake District setting is surprisingly atmospheric, with moody hills, foggy forests, and crumbling 1950s architecture.

Despite its muted palette, Atomfall encourages players to explore every inch — scavenging for materials, unlocking secrets, and finding absurd British cultural relics. Limited ammo and classic crafting mechanics add a layer of survival challenge, making every encounter feel like it matters.

Gameplay offers distinct playstyles — combat, survival, and exploration.

You can go in guns blazing, sneak around enemies, or scrounge for supplies and tea (yes, tea restores health). Combat is functional, though not always tight. Shooting and melee work well enough, but enemy AI is hit-or-miss. Sometimes they’ll charge you recklessly; other times they just stand there wondering what planet they’re on. Melee is especially satisfying, though clunky in tight spaces. Likewise, while outlaws, druids, mutants and soldiers are all nominally different challenges they are much of a muchness in terms of dealing with them.

“Atomfall” doesn’t shy away from the odd. Its dark humor and sheer Britishness give it a special charm, but the heavy use of local slang and regional accents may confuse non-UK players. Picture “Clockwork Orange” meets “Hot Fuzz” and you’re halfway there. Still, it’s part of the game’s identity — this is a very specific apocalypse, where people ask you to fetch delivery parcels and fix a fence while the world burns around them.

There is a basic but useful skill tree that lets you tailor your approach, from combat proficiency to crafting perks. Quests are often simple (“bring X to Y”), but branching conversations and trackable leads give them some depth. Your choices in dialogue can impact outcomes — sometimes subtly, sometimes with unexpected consequences.

Enemy respawns after death are a mixed blessing. On one hand, it keeps the world dangerous. On the other, it can feel like busywork when you’re simply trying to pass through.

“Atomfall” is weird, scrappy, and full of character. It doesn’t have the polish of a AAA giant, but it doesn’t try to. Instead, it offers a delightfully odd, open-ended experience that rewards curiosity and embraces chaos. For those willing to roll with its eccentricities, “Atomfall” is a radioactive romp worth taking.
 


Saudi Film Festival returns with roster of regional films and special section for Japan

Updated 16 April 2025
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Saudi Film Festival returns with roster of regional films and special section for Japan

DUBAI: The Saudi Film Festival is set to return for its 11th edition from April 17 to 23, at the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra).

On Wednesday, the film festival announced that “SIWAR” by director Osama Al-Khurayji will be the event’s opening screening as well as the film's world premiere. 

The film, which unfolds between Turkey and Saudi Arabia, was primarily shot in the AlUla region of Saudi Arabia.

The film is inspired by true events and was written by Rashed Al-Munajjim. It tells the story of two newborns, one Saudi and the other Turkish, who were mistakenly switched at birth.

“The story of ‘SIWAR’ has stayed with me since the true incident occurred in 2012, and I’ve wanted to bring it to the screen. Finally, after all these years, I’m proud to present this human story, and I’d like to thank Film AlUla for their support in making this film. I’m also proud that its launch will take place at the Saudi Film Festival, which is very dear to my heart,” said director Al-Khurayji.

This year’s theme, “Cinema of Identity,” will explore how films shape and reflect individual, national, and cultural identities.

Organized by the Cinema Association in partnership with Ithra and supported by the Film Commission, the festival will feature 68 films from Saudi Arabia, the Gulf — including Iraq and Yemen — and beyond.

 

 

The narrative features in competition include “Hobal,” “My Driver and I,” “Thuqoub,” “Fakher Al-Suwaidi,” Anaashed Adam,” “Es-aaf,” “Behind the Mountains” and “Adjourned.”

A highlight this year is the honorary tribute to Ibrahim Al-Hasawi, a veteran Saudi actor with over three decades of experience in theater, television, and cinema. His notable works include the TV series “Tash Ma Tash” and “Bayni Wa Baynak,” as well as films such as Ithra’s “Hajjan,” “Zero Distance,” and the recent “Hobal.” 

 

 

This year’s lineup includes seven Saudi and Gulf feature films, 22 short fiction films, and seven documentaries, alongside 12 parallel screenings of Saudi productions. The festival will also host four panel discussions, four advanced masterclasses and three book-signing sessions for the Saudi Cinema Encyclopedia.

The plaza and library at Ithra will host ‘Meet the Expert’ one-on-one sessions and private screenings, offering filmmakers ample opportunities for personalized mentorship and feedback.

A key component of the festival is its production market, which will showcase 22 booths from various production entities, providing filmmakers with a platform to develop and present their work. And to network.

Additionally, Japanese cinema will be in focus, marking 70 years of Saudi-Japan relations, with eight Japanese films and expert discussions.

Those Japanese films include: 

 

 

‘River Returns’

Hoping to save the village and his family from a flood, a young boy journeys alone to a pool deep in the mountains, following a tradition that is disappearing in post-war Japan.

‘Blue and White’

Ryusuke, who is grieving, makes salt on the day of his wife's funeral, aiming to preserve the local area’s salt making history.

‘Toma #2’

When Toma decides to place his father, who suffers from dementia, in a facility, he discovers an instant camera in his father's room that he had forgotten to develop.  

‘Kaburagi’

Kaburaki, a photographer for a weekly magazine, receives a message from an unknown source tipping him off about an idol he has been chasing.

‘Extremely Short’

Based on a story by Hideo Furukawa, the short film follows a man searching for the shortest thing in Tokyo.

‘The New World’

On a sunny June day, Kaname summons old friends to the wilderness with a purpose, but only one arrives.


Jennifer Lopez set to light up Abu Dhabi on global tour stop

Updated 15 April 2025
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Jennifer Lopez set to light up Abu Dhabi on global tour stop

DUBAI: US superstar Jennifer Lopez is set to return to the UAE this summer with a performance at Etihad Arena on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, on July 29. 

The concert is part of her “Up All Night Live” world tour and will mark her second tour performance in the Middle East, following a show in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, on July 6.

Fans can look forward to chart-topping tracks such as “If You Had My Love,” “Jenny From The Block,” “Love Don’t Cost A Thing” and “On The Floor.”

This will not be her first performance in the UAE capital this year—Lopez previously took the stage in February as part of the Saadiyat Nights concert series.

Widely regarded as one of the world’s most influential entertainers, Lopez has made her mark across music, film and television. She remains the only female artist to simultaneously top both the US box office and music charts, with over $3 billion in global box office earnings, more than 80 million records sold and billions of streams and views across her music catalogue.

In film, her recent Netflix releases “Atlas” and “The Mother” both debuted at number one on the platform, with “The Mother” now ranking among Netflix’s top 10 most-watched films of all time. 

In 2025, her latest film “Unstoppable” reached the number one spot globally on Amazon Prime Video.

Lopez’s UAE concert is organized by Ethara, a UAE-based events company. 

Ethara is also organizing Katy Perry’s concert in the UAE, which is  part of the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weekend in December.

The music star will headline the grand finale on Dec. 7 at Etihad Park.

In addition to her global tour, Lopez is set to headline the after-race concert at the Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2025 in Jeddah this weekend, taking the stage on April 19.

She will join an impressive lineup of international and regional artists, including Usher, Major Lazer, Peggy Gou and PartyNextDoor, alongside Arab stars such as Marwan Pablo, Tul8te, Hisham Abbas, Mostafa Amar and Hamid El-Shaeri.


Georgina Rodriguez shows off Arabic tattoo

Updated 15 April 2025
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Georgina Rodriguez shows off Arabic tattoo

DUBAI: Argentine model Georgina Rodriguez gave fans a peek into her life in Saudi Arabia this week through a series of Instagram stories. One standout moment was a close-up photo highlighting her Arabic tattoo, which reads: “Keep all evil away from us, Amen.” 

She included the same phrase in Arabic as a caption. In the photo, she also showed off a large emerald-cut diamond ring, a glittering watch and a crocodile-skin handbag.

Later that afternoon, Rodriguez shared more family moments when she posted videos of stepson Cristiano Ronaldo Jr’s football training with Al-Nassr’s youth team. In one clip, captioned “The best team,” the group was seen singing and cheering.

Instagram/ @georginagio

Rodriguez also gave her followers a behind-the-scenes look at her personal routine in Riyadh, sharing a short video of herself practicing salsa dancing. “Third salsa class in Riyadh,” she wrote in Spanish.

The posts are part of her continued documentation of life in Saudi Arabia, where she lives with her partner, football star Cristiano Ronaldo, and their children.

The couple recently appeared together in a new campaign for Saudi Arabia’s luxury cruise line, Aroya Cruises. 

In the video, the pair exchange a lighthearted moment in Arabic. Rodriguez says “yalla” — meaning “let’s go” — after selecting the cruise on her phone, and Ronaldo replies cheerfully “yalla.”

The scene then changes into scenes of the couple exploring the cruise experience, with panoramic sea views, luxurious interiors and their private accommodation.

Both Ronaldo and Rodriguez shared the campaign on their social media profiles with the caption: “Home isn’t just a place — it’s a feeling.”

In addition to her lifestyle content and brand campaigns, Rodriguez has also taken part in humanitarian efforts in Saudi Arabia. Earlier this year, she visited the King Fahd National Centre for Children’s Cancer to support young patients.

She was joined by Monica Esteban, president of Spanish charity, the Juegaterapia Foundation, as they distributed Baby Pelones dolls featuring a scarf designed by Rodriguez. During her visit, the model hugged and spoke with the children and joined in their play with the dolls.


Saudi-supported film ‘Dandelion’s Odyssey’ heads to Cannes Critics’ Week

Updated 15 April 2025
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Saudi-supported film ‘Dandelion’s Odyssey’ heads to Cannes Critics’ Week

DUBAI: Cannes Critics’ Week has announced the lineup for its 2025 edition, which includes the Red Sea Film Foundation-supported film “Dandelion’s Odyssey” from Momoko Seto.

The film — which will close the week — will be the first animated feature to screen in the section since Jeremy Clapin’s Grand Prize winner “I Lost My Body” in 2019.

Shot from Japan to Iceland, “Dandelion’s Odyssey” is an adventure set in a dystopian world, with plants and animals as the main characters. The feature features a mix of timelapse photography, as well as live-action shooting and 3D animation.

More than 1,000 films were submitted for Cannes Critics’ Week 2025, which runs from May 14 to 22.