Saudi Film Commission takes part in Malmo Arab Film Festival 2022

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Updated 08 May 2022
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Saudi Film Commission takes part in Malmo Arab Film Festival 2022

RIYADH: Saudi filmmakers are taking part in the Malmo Arab Film Festival 2022 through 16 films, hoping to present a positive image of the development of the Kingdom’s film industry.
The event, which began on Wednesday and runs until May 9 in the Swedish city, invited Saudi Arabia as a guest of honor. As a result, Saudi films will receive special screenings and seminars will be held to showcase the development of Saudi cinema.

Saudi filmmakers will present feature films in the competition, in addition to screenings of other formats.
The Saudi films entering the competition are “Junnah” by directors Maan Abdul Rahman and Yasser Abdul Rahman in the feature film competition category; “Phone Kharban” by directors Raghad Al-Barqi, “Diyar Hisma” by Fahd Fayez, “a” by directors Noura Al-Mawlid, Ragheed Al-Nahdi and Ruba Khafajiin the short film competition category; and a film by Nour Al-Amir and Fatima Al-Hazmi in the “Arabian Nights” category.
The festival will screen five feature Saudi films: “Forty Years and One Nights” by Mohammed Al-Halil, “The Tambour of Retribution” by Abdulaziz Al-Shalahi, “The Journey” by Kibon Shizuno (a Saudi-Japanese co-production), “Shams Almaarif” by Faris Quds, “The 10th Way” by Omar Naim, in addition to seven short films: “Umm Al-Saaf and Al-Lif” by Hala Al-Haid (a Saudi-US co-production), “Hawas” by Khaled Zeidan, “Zawal” by Mujtaba Saeed (a Saudi production, with German-French contribution), “Saaf” by Wijdan Al-Marzouq, “Shams 89” by Mansour Al-Badran, “The Little Bird” by Khaled Fahd and “Noor Shams” by Fayza Amba.

The participation at the festival is in line with the Saudi film industry’s plan to promote itself on global platforms and build partnerships that build the sector, said Abdullah Al-Eyaf, CEO of the Saudi Film Commission.
He added that international film festivals represent a space to highlight Saudi talents and attract global talent in the field of filmmaking, especially after the remarkable shift in the industrial environment in the Kingdom through a government system that supports and stimulates the industry.
Al-Eyaf said that prominent partnerships from the private sector and the Kingdom’s great geographical diversity have also enabled the transformation.
Mansour Al-Badran, director of “Shams 89,” said: “I am very happy with the film’s participation in the festival. I think that the national achievement that was made in the film deserves to be watched and celebrated, on a local and international level.”

He told Arab News that the Saudi Film Commission has made great efforts to enable national talents to take part in the Malmo event, expressing confidence that the commission’s support will continue in other international forums to celebrate Saudi cinematic creativity.
The Saudi presence at the Malmo Festival was “honorable,” Al-Badran said, adding that the selection of the films that qualified to participate was “objectively decided.”
He said: “I think that Saudi cinema is up and coming, and the Saudi films participating in the current festival are a good proof of that ... I think we are on the right track.”
The guest of honor program includes a symposium to introduce the Saudi Film Commission and its initiatives, and to showcase the Talents Bridge intensive training program. The event will conclude with a Saudi artistic night, in which a Saudi musical orchestra will perform.

The Malmo event is the largest Arab film festival in Europe. Since its establishment in 2011, it has received growing public interest due to its location in Sweden. Malmo is home to a diverse range of cultures, and the festival aims to build bridges between people based on film as a universal visual language.
Cinemas in Saudi Arabia have made great achievements over the past four years, with box office sales exceeding 30.8 million tickets, the Saudi Press Agency recently reported.
Since its launch in April 2018, the Saudi Film Commission has licensed 56 theaters with 518 screens in 20 cities, in which 1,144 films were shown, including 22 Saudi films. The number of ticket sales amounted to 30,860,956 for films in 22 languages from 38 countries.

The cinema sector also employs 4,439 young Saudi men and women as part of efforts to increase the size of the media market, provide a favorable environment to diversify economic sources of income and create thousands of jobs for Saudi youth.
Using media as a strategic tributary of the national economy also comes in line with Vision 2030, the SPA said.
“This demonstrates growth that was achieved in four years, indicating that the cinema sector is an attractive element for local and international investors, in light of the initiatives and projects offered by the commission that enable beneficiaries to easily engage in media activities of all kinds,” it added.


How Saudi schools are using AI to personalize learning and streamline administration

Updated 02 May 2025
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How Saudi schools are using AI to personalize learning and streamline administration

  • AI tools help students with disabilities through speech-to-text, adaptive interfaces, and screen-reading technologies
  • Educators’ roles are evolving as AI handles tasks like grading and performance tracking, freeing teachers to focus on mentoring

RIYADH: As Saudi Arabia forges ahead with its Vision 2030 initiative, artificial intelligence is becoming a cornerstone of its education reform.

Across the Kingdom, AI technologies are reshaping classrooms — personalizing learning, streamlining administration and helping students of all abilities engage with their studies in new ways.

“AI technology has significantly changed the way many students, including myself, approach studying and managing coursework,” Abdullah Mohammed, a law student at Imam Mohammad ibn Saud Islamic University, told Arab News.

“Tools like AI tutoring systems and study apps have made learning more efficient, personalized and accessible.”

While Mohammed said AI tools have enhanced his learning experience, he also acknowledged the need for caution.

“Some AI tools provide quick solutions without much depth, so if I’m not careful, I might miss the critical thinking part of the learning process,” he said.

Tools like AI tutoring systems and study apps have made learning more efficient, personalized and accessible, observers Saudi law student Abdullah Mohammed,. (Reuters photo)

Ultimately, however, Mohammed said he is confident AI has better prepared him for the job market.

The strategic alignment between AI and Vision 2030 is clear, according to Abdulrahman Al-Motrif, professor of information technology and educational computing at King Saud University.

“AI supports the goals of Vision 2030 by enabling personalized learning, optimizing resource management and facilitating access to quality education regardless of geographic location,” he told Arab News.

“AI systems can analyze student performance in real-time, allowing educators to tailor instruction to individual learning needs, thereby enhancing student outcomes and supporting the Kingdom’s ambition to cultivate a future-ready workforce.”

Al-Motrif also highlighted AI’s role in promoting inclusive education.

“AI reinforces Vision 2030’s emphasis on equity, accessibility, and lifelong learning by reaching remote communities and students with special needs,” he said.

This demonstrates AI’s impact not just as a technological innovation, but also as a powerful force for social transformation.

Leading platforms like Alef Education and Classera are already putting this vision into practice. Using real-time analytics, they adapt content to each student’s learning style, proficiency and pace.

Classera platform offers a gamified Learning Management System (LMS) app called C-Kids for kindergarten to Grade 3 pupils. (Classer illustration image)

A study by Alef Education found that students using AI-enhanced platforms achieved a 25 percent improvement in academic performance over just one semester — strong evidence of AI’s ability to boost outcomes through personalized learning.

Crucially, AI is helping make education more accessible. In Saudi Arabia’s diverse learning landscape, tools such as speech-to-text software, adaptive interfaces and real-time assessments are opening doors for students with disabilities.

At King Saud University, collaborations with AI developers have produced tools for visually impaired students, converting written content into audio and using advanced screen-reading technology.

“AI has transformed the learning environment into a more interactive and engaging space,” said Al-Motrif. “Gamified learning platforms and intelligent tutoring systems provide immediate feedback and customized challenges.”

These innovations not only enhance academic performance, but also spark motivation and sustained engagement among learners.

AI is also streamlining back-end operations. Platforms like Madrasati now use AI to monitor attendance, track engagement and assess academic progress, freeing educators to focus more on teaching and mentoring.

Yet AI is not replacing teachers — it is redefining their roles.

“In AI-supported classrooms, educators serve as facilitators, mentors and human connectors in an increasingly digital ecosystem, using AI-generated insights to identify learning gaps,” said Al-Motrif.

A book issued by UNESCO cited the success of “Madrasati” as a globally innovative and distinguished educational model during the Covid-19 pandemic. (Madrasati illustration image)

Still, challenges remain. One significant obstacle is the shortage of Arabic-language content online — making up only 1.2 percent of global digital resources — which limits the effectiveness of AI systems trained on data-rich environments.

To fully realize AI’s benefits, Saudi Arabia must invest in digitizing traditional materials, promoting Arabic content creation and partnering with AI firms to develop language-specific algorithms.

Some institutions are already leading the way. Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal University and King Abdulaziz University have adopted AI-powered systems to personalize instruction and track student performance, leading to higher satisfaction and retention rates.

These successes show that AI is not merely a technological upgrade — it is a catalyst for reimagining education.

Photo: Pexel/Pavel Danilyuk

By leveraging AI thoughtfully, Saudi Arabia has a unique opportunity to deliver high-quality, personalized and inclusive education while advancing its Vision 2030 goals.

But achieving this future will require more than just technology. It will demand investment, collaboration and a commitment to ensuring that innovation, pedagogy and policy move forward together.

With sustained effort, AI could become the foundation of a dynamic, future-ready education system — one that prepares all learners for the opportunities of the digital age.
 

 


Saudi FM discusses issues of common interest with Peruvian counterpart

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan receives his Peruvian counterpart Elmer Schialer Salcedo in Riyadh on Thursday.
Updated 01 May 2025
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Saudi FM discusses issues of common interest with Peruvian counterpart

RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan received his Peruvian counterpart Elmer Schialer Salcedo and the country’s Minister of Mines and Energy Jorge Montero in Riyadh on Thursday.

During the meeting, Saudi-Peruvian relations, aspects of joint cooperation in various fields, and a number of international issues of common interest were discussed, Saudi Press Agency reported.


Cameroon joins Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition

Updated 01 May 2025
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Cameroon joins Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition

  • Cameroon becomes 43rd member state of the Saudi-led coalition

The Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition announced that Cameroon has officially joined, becoming the 43rd member state of the coalition, led by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The step underscores a growing commitment to combating terrorism and fostering regional and international security and stability, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.  

The announcement was made during an official ceremony at the coalition’s headquarters in Riyadh, where the flag of Cameroon was raised alongside the flags of the 42 member states; a powerful symbol of unity and solidarity in the fight against terrorism.

The event was attended by Maj. Gen. Mohammed bin Saeed Al-Moghedi, acting secretary-general of the IMCTC, Iya Tidjani, Cameroon’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, the Cameroonian representative to the coalition, a delegation from Cameroon’s embassy, and representatives of member states.

Al-Moghedi welcomed Cameroon’s admission to the coalition, describing it as a significant step that strengthens joint efforts to combat terrorism and enhances coordination and integration in the intellectual, media, financial, and military fields.


Makkah Municipality approves 3,149 housing permits for Hajj

Updated 01 May 2025
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Makkah Municipality approves 3,149 housing permits for Hajj

  • This step comes as part of the ongoing efforts to provide pilgrims with a safe and comfortable housing environment

MAKKAH: Makkah Municipality approved 3,149 official housing permits for this year’s Hajj season, following the completion of all required technical and regulatory conditions.

This step comes as part of the ongoing efforts to provide pilgrims with a safe and comfortable housing environment.

The municipality said that the main technical and regulatory requirements include: ensuring compliance with building permits and approved architectural plans; reviewing safety reports, emergency staircases and generators; verifying maintenance contracts and training workers on safety standards; reviewing and approving the establishment’s records and ensuring their consistency with aerial photographs; and fully complying with safety forms among others. 

Makkah officials continue efforts to ensure the highest degrees of technical and regulatory readiness to provide the best possible experience during this year’s pilgrimage.


6,000 Qur’an copies distributed at Tunisia Book Fair

Updated 01 May 2025
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6,000 Qur’an copies distributed at Tunisia Book Fair

  • At the Kingdom’s pavilion, visitors can browse an extensive collection from the King Fahd Complex for the Printing of the Holy Qur’an, including translations of Qur'anic meanings and editions in different narrations and formats

RIYADH: The Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance has distributed more than 6,000 copies of the Qur’an to visitors at the 39th Tunisia International Book Fair.

The distribution began when the fair started on April 25, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The fair will run until May 4. 

At the Kingdom’s pavilion, visitors can browse an extensive collection from the King Fahd Complex for the Printing of the Holy Qur’an, including translations of Qur'anic meanings and editions in different narrations and formats.

Visitors to the pavilion can also experience a range of interactive electronic applications that provide educational content and religious services.

Among the highlights are a 3D Hajj and Umrah application, a correct citation application, and virtual reality experiences that offer immersive tours of the Grand Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah.

The ministry’s participation underscores Saudi Arabia’s commitment to serve the Qur’an and support Islam and Muslims worldwide.