Lights, cameras, action as Saudi directors win 48hr film challenge

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Two young Saudi film directors have been presented with trophies after winning the second edition of a 48-hour filmmaking challenge. (AN Photo/Ali Khameq)
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Updated 30 September 2022
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Lights, cameras, action as Saudi directors win 48hr film challenge

  • The challenge encourages Saudi and Saudi-resident filmmakers aged from 18-25 to produce new works

JEDDAH: Two young Saudi film directors have been presented with trophies after winning the second edition of a 48-hour filmmaking challenge, with participants racing against the clock to create a short film within a two-day limit.

Khaled Zidan and Tala Alharbi received their awards on Thursday during a special screening held at Vox Cinemas in Red Sea Mall, Jeddah.  

The 48HR Film Challenge was part of a collaboration between the Alliance Française of Saudi Arabia, the Consulate General of France in Jeddah, the French Embassy in Riyadh, the Red Sea International Film Festival, Cercle des Amis de la Culture Francaise and Vox Cinemas.

The challenge encourages Saudi and Saudi-resident filmmakers aged from 18-25 to produce new works.

A team of between two and five participants, led by a Saudi director or scriptwriter, received two days’ training to develop their film before the challenge.

Mohammed Al-Turki, CEO of the Red Sea Film Festival Foundation, congratulated the winners and said: “We watched some really amazing short films that were very intriguing and projected a lot of creativity from the young Saudi filmmakers, especially to create it within 48 hours only.” 

He told Arab News: “I believe this platform will help them reach their goals with the support of the Red Sea Fund.”

During the event, Al-Turki said that the two films will be screened at the Red Sea Film Festival as a part of the “New Saudi New Cinema Shorts” segment.

Zain Zedan, Red Sea Souk manager, described the winning efforts as “a great achievement and accomplishment.”

He added: “This will encourage other filmmakers not to be hesitant to produce the films they like.”

Catherine Corm-Kammoun, Consul General of France in Jeddah, told Arab News that she was impressed by the exceptional work of all participants. 

“It was surprising to see the deep thoughts of the young filmmakers and learn the way they see life. As the Consulate General of France, we are eager to generate new filmmakers among the youth in Saudi Arabia. Our aim is to strengthen the film industry in the Kingdom,” she said.  

“With this successful partnership with the Red Sea Film Festival, we decided to renew this challenge for the next year as it is a good cooperation and hope to keep on working like this.”

Charles-Henri Gros, cultural attache of the Consulate General of France, told Arab News: “As this was the second edition, we added a new initiative by challenging the participants to create a film in just two days. We hosted them at the residency of the French General Consulate in Jeddah and dedicated the two days to the young talents, and introduced them to some Saudi and French experts in cinema.”

He added: “This is just the beginning of a great future for them in the cinema, which is a masterpiece of arts and culture. As a French consulate, we consider ourselves lucky to initiate this with the Red Sea Film Festival.”

Zidan, who won with a short film titled “The Kid in the Closet,” told Arab News: “It wasn’t an easy challenge. There were some limitations, especially the time. Making a film in 48 hours isn’t an easy thing. We used to work on films in the pre-production area and I know it takes a lot of time to make films.” 

He said that creating a film with just three team members was also challenging. “But I am happy that it was a great learning experience, which in itself is a reward. The workshops at the French consulate allowed us to get expertise from a number of directors, producers and actors.”

Alharbi, who created a winning film titled “When Red Blooms,” said: “It is unbelievable and feels like a dream to have won. It has definitely been a lot of hard work. It was an exciting experience, but very stressful.”

The jury, chaired by award-winning actor Dhafer L’Abdine, and filmmaker and journalist Wael Abu Mansour, presented the two teams with trophies designed by the artist Rabi Alakhras. Winning team leaders will also attend an educational residency program led by leading French cinematographers.

Jana Mazin, writer and director of another of the short films, “LuLu,” will receive support to create a movie with the help of Vox Cinemas.


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.