RIYADH: More than 60 short films will compete for "Golden Palm Tree" trophies in the 2nd Saudi Film Festival that begins in Dammam on Friday, festival director Ahmed Al-Mulla said.
Organizers said they hope the five-day festival will open eyes in Saudi Arabia to the possibilities of film despite objections from a section of the population that cinema will "Westernise" the Kingdom.
"I think we in Saudi Arabia have beautiful culture to tell the world," said filmmaker Abdullah Al-Eyaf, the head of the festival jury.
"Why should we wait for this country or that country ... to tell stories about Saudi Arabia?"
Most of the filmmakers being showcased are under the age of 25, said Al-Mulla, who sees his role as helping them to develop.
As well as screening films, the festival will include workshops on scriptwriting, music and directing, and talks by industry figures from around the region.
Among the films to be shown is "Grand Marriage", a documentary directed by Faisal Al-Otaibi that tells the story of a two-week wedding ceremony taking place in the archipelago nation of the Comoros.
Haifaa Al-Mansour, the country's first female filmmaker, has been invited to attend but she lives outside Saudi Arabia and is unlikely to show up.
In 2013 her film "Wadjda" became the Kingdom's first to be listed as a candidate for a foreign-language Oscar, although it did not make the final shortlist. It told the story of a rebellious girl who dreams of owning a bicycle.
Without cinemas, "sadly there is no way" to show such films publicly in Saudi Arabia, Al-Mulla said, though many end up on video websites such as YouTube. Others are sometimes featured at small, special screenings.
Saudi Arabia has no film industry to speak of, said Al-Eyaf. "The whole system is not there," Eyaf said, adding that having a festival is "one of the most important things" in trying to develop a film culture.
This year's event comes seven years after the first Saudi Film Festival, which Al-Mulla also directed. He said this year's festival was organized "in the right way" by the Society for Culture and Arts, a nongovernmental group where he volunteers.
Al-Mulla expects an overflow audience at the society's 600-capacity screening hall on Friday's opening night.
The festival received more than 120 film submissions, of which around 66 met the requirements to be shown, including that they be less than 59 minutes long and cannot have been shown on YouTube or on television.
"We received a lot of nice films," Al-Mulla said, adding that 10 will have their premieres at the festival, where the screenings will be free and open to the public.
Thirty-four scripts which have not yet been produced will also vie for a Golden Palm Tree trophy.
The winning scriptwriters and filmmakers will get grants to help fund future projects, from a prize pool totaling SR180,000.
Al-Mulla said the festival entries cover a wide range of subjects including crime, society and history. There is even an animated movie and a "very strong" film about human rights.
He said that while the festival must ensure it respects Saudi Arabia's culture and traditions, there is no formal censorship. "I think we can screen anything political," he said.
Al-Mulla said he hopes cinemas will one day open in the Kingdom because film is "part of culture, part of loving life."
But first, he said, film lovers will need to convince "people who are scared of art and culture."
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‘World needs to see Kingdom through Saudi films’
‘World needs to see Kingdom through Saudi films’
Shoura Council, EU officials discuss strengthening ties
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Shoura Council Vice Speaker Mishaal Al-Sulami met in Riyadh with an EU Political and Security Committee delegation, led by its chair Delphine Pronk, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.
The delegation included ambassadors from the 27 EU member states, the EU Special Representative for the Gulf Luigi Di Maio, and the EU Ambassador to the Kingdom Christophe Farnaud.
Al-Sulami highlighted the Shoura Council’s oversight and legislative roles and emphasized the importance of parliamentary diplomacy in strengthening cooperation.
The delegates praised the Kingdom’s significant developments and the ambitious Saudi Vision 2030, SPA reported.
The talks addressed the strong relations between Saudi Arabia and the EU, ways to enhance collaboration between the Shoura Council and the European Parliament, and other topics of mutual interest.
Earlier, the EU delegation visited the Global Center for Combating Extremist Ideology in Riyadh, where they discussed ways to counter extremism.
The delegation also visited the Gulf Cooperation Council headquarters in Riyadh, where they discussed joint efforts to tackle global challenges.
Saudi aid targets schools in Yemen, health in Somalia
RIYADH: The Saudi aid agency KSrelief signed a cooperation agreement with a civil society organization to implement the third phase of the Back to School project in Yemen.
The initiative will be executed in the Al-Mukha district of Taiz governorate, Thamud district in Hadramout governorate, and the governorates of Shabwah, Abyan and Lahj, benefiting about 6,000 individuals.
KSrelief’s Assistant Supervisor-General for Operations and Programs Ahmed Al-Baiz signed the agreement on the sidelines of the International Conference on Conjoined Twins in Riyadh, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.
The agreement includes the provision of 60 fully equipped classrooms, the outfitting of 10 schools to create a suitable learning environment, and the distribution of 6,000 school uniforms and bags containing essential supplies.
Additionally, job opportunities will be provided to low-income families — previous beneficiaries of training and empowerment projects — who will produce the school bags and uniforms.
This initiative is part of Saudi Arabia’s humanitarian efforts, led by KSrelief, to support the educational process, reduce dropout rates, and ensure a safer learning environment in Yemen.
In a separate agreement, KSrelief and the International Medical Corps signed a $1-million partnership to equip Garowe General Hospital in Somalia with dialysis machines and enhance its dialysis center. This project is expected to benefit 3,666 individuals.
The agreement was signed by KSrelief Supervisor-General Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah and International Medical Corps President and CEO Nancy Aossey, also during the conference in Riyadh.
The initiative reflects Saudi Arabia’s humanitarian efforts through KSrelief to support health care services for those in need in Somalia.
Saudi Arabia welcomes ceasefire in Lebanon
- Kingdom appreciates all international efforts made to achieve the ceasefire, foreign ministry statement said
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia welcomes the ceasefire in Lebanon, the Kingdom’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Wednesday.
“The Kingdom appreciates all international efforts made in this regard and hopes that this will lead to the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, the preservation of Lebanon’s sovereignty, security, and stability, and the safe return of the displaced to their homes,” the statement said.
A ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah started on Wednesday morning after the two sides struck a deal brokered by the US and France.
The agreement ended the deadliest confrontation between Israel and Hezbollah in years.
Fam Foods, Kobe Beef Association partner to launch halal-certified beef in Saudi Arabia
- As part of the event, Fam Foods announced the upcoming opening of Hocho, a premium Kobe and wagyu-based restaurant set to launch in Via Riyadh
RIYADH: The introduction of halal-certified Kobe beef to the Saudi market was marked by an exclusive evening at the residence of Morino Yasunari, the Japanese ambassador to Saudi Arabia.
The event was hosted by Fam Foods, the only authorized reseller in the Kingdom, in collaboration with the Kobe Beef Association and highlighted the deepening cultural and culinary partnership between Japan and Saudi Arabia.
Guests enjoyed a unique atmosphere that blended heritage and contemporary celebration. They were welcomed with traditional Saudi coffee, a gesture reflecting the nations’ shared value of hospitality, while the decor also combined their traditions.
They were also treated to a culinary journey featuring authentic Japanese techniques, including teppanyaki preparations demonstrating the artistry and meticulous craftsmanship behind Kobe beef. The renowned Kimono Butcher captivated the audience with a masterful demonstration of beef cutting, symbolizing the precision and dedication synonymous with Japanese culinary heritage.
Princess Muneera Al Rasheed, chairwoman of Fam Foods, said during her address: “This evening celebrates more than just the introduction of halal-certified Kobe beef; it embodies the rich culinary and cultural partnership between Japan and Saudi Arabia. At Fam Foods, we are committed to innovating while safekeeping tradition — together, we are transforming premium dining experiences in the Kingdom.”
Shinnosuke Murakami, president of the Sanda Meat Center Export Expansion Consortium which oversees the export of Kobe from Japan, said: “Kobe beef represents the pinnacle of Japanese wagyu beef, renowned worldwide for its exceptional flavor, rich aroma and unparalleled tenderness.
“We are deeply grateful to His Royal Highness Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud, Her Highness Princess Muneera Al Rasheed, and the Fam Foods team for their ongoing support in this partnership and providing us the opportunity to share this wonderful delicacy with the people of Saudi Arabia and the Arab world.”
Traditional performances also added depth to the evening, connecting attendees to the cultural roots of Japan, with the serene melodies of a koto performance and the elegance of a flute recital bringing the event to life.
As part of the event, Fam Foods announced the upcoming opening of Hocho, a premium Kobe and wagyu-based restaurant set to launch in Via Riyadh. The venture is set to redefine Japanese dining in Saudi Arabia, offering an elevated culinary experience that brings the artistry of Japanese beef to the forefront.
Emir of Kuwait sends King Salman GCC Summit letter
- Message delivered to minister during meeting in Riyadh
RIYADH: King Salman has received a letter from the Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah inviting him to the Gulf Cooperation Council Summit.
The message was delivered to Minister of State Prince Turki bin Mohammed bin Fahd during a meeting in Riyadh on Tuesday with Kuwait’s Foreign Minister Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya.
The two sides held cordial talks and discussed issues of common interest.
The 45th GCC Summit takes place in Kuwait on Sunday.
