Second edition of Saudi Film Confex will put development of local movie industry in the frame

The second Saudi Film Confex will take place in Riyadh between Oct. 9 and 12. (Supplied)
The second Saudi Film Confex will take place in Riyadh between Oct. 9 and 12. (Supplied)
Short Url
Updated 19 September 2024
Follow

Second edition of Saudi Film Confex will put development of local movie industry in the frame

The second Saudi Film Confex will take place in Riyadh between Oct. 9 and 12. (Supplied)
  • 4-day event in Riyadh will include panel discussions, workshops and an exhibition

RIYADH: The second Saudi Film Confex will take place in Riyadh between Oct. 9 and 12 with the aim of empowering and developing the film industry in the Kingdom, and promoting investment and partnership opportunities, the Saudi Broadcasting Authority said on Thursday.

The event will include 30 panel discussions and workshops covering key industry topics such as film financing and production planning.

It will also feature activities designed to enrich the visitor experience and explore the various aspects of filmmaking, organizers said, as well as an exhibition of more than 130 local, regional and international businesses and organizations specializing in production, smart studio construction, and cinematic technologies.

It hopes to help boost the Saudi film sector by highlighting filming and production opportunities, encouraging cooperation with leading international industry partners, enhancing local industry infrastructure, supporting startups, and introducing qualitative initiatives that offer added value.


Indonesian artist fuses art, technology at Jeddah showcase

Indonesian artist fuses art, technology at Jeddah showcase
The exhibition, by Andry Boy Kurniawan, was organized by the Indonesian Consulate. (SUPPLIED)
Updated 19 sec ago
Follow

Indonesian artist fuses art, technology at Jeddah showcase

Indonesian artist fuses art, technology at Jeddah showcase

JEDDAH: Works by an Indonesian artist who blends creativity with technology have been on show at Hayy Jameel in Jeddah.

The exhibition, by Andry Boy Kurniawan, was organized by the Indonesian Consulate and included a talk by the artist in which he explained how he fuses traditional painting techniques with augmented reality.

The exhibition, by Andry Boy Kurniawan, was organized by the Indonesian Consulate. (SUPPLIED)

Based in Yogyakarta, Kurniawan said he drew inspiration from the larger-than-life characters, both real and imagined, that shape modern culture. His style features bulbous-headed figures with small, beady eyes.

Other common elements include gummies and gemstones that reflect the light and add a dynamic, whimsical quality to his art.

The exhibition, by Andry Boy Kurniawan, was organized by the Indonesian Consulate. (SUPPLIED)

The event reflected the advancements in Indonesia’s contemporary art scene and highlighted Saudi Arabia’s emerging role as a hub for creative exchanges.

The consulate said it hoped it would also help foster greater innovation and collaboration between the two countries.


New museums campaign focuses on Saudi heritage

New museums campaign focuses on Saudi heritage
Updated 18 November 2024
Follow

New museums campaign focuses on Saudi heritage

New museums campaign focuses on Saudi heritage
  • To preserve Saudi heritage, the commission announced the development of museums in 11 regions

RIYADH: The Museums Commission launched the “Telling Tomorrow’s Story” campaign on Monday to raise awareness of museums’ role in preserving history, strengthening national identity, and promoting creative expression.

The campaign reflects the commission’s vision, which focuses on innovation, the preservation of cultural treasures, and fostering creativity for future generations.

It features digital content highlighting the commission’s museums and cultural centers, including the National Museum, Al-Masmak Palace Museum, Saudi Arabia Museum of Contemporary Art at Jax, Diriyah Art Futures, and the Tariq Abdulhakim Museum in Jeddah.

It also introduces future museums, such as the Black Gold Museum in Riyadh and the Red Sea Museum in Jeddah, which will enrich the Kingdom’s cultural landscape.

To preserve Saudi heritage, the commission announced the development of museums in 11 regions: Qassim, Jouf, Asir, Tabuk, Hail, Najran, Arar, Dammam, Makkah, Jazan, and Baha.

The regional museums, under the motto “Our Saudi Story,” will celebrate Saudi history, heritage, and identity, weaving a collective narrative of the Kingdom’s diverse cultural tapestry and rich history.

These museums will offer permanent collections, temporary exhibitions, educational programs, and cultural events, becoming inclusive spaces for knowledge, creativity, and community.


Riyadh exhibition to boost Saudi palm sector goals

Riyadh exhibition to boost Saudi palm sector goals
Updated 18 November 2024
Follow

Riyadh exhibition to boost Saudi palm sector goals

Riyadh exhibition to boost Saudi palm sector goals
  • The exhibition will feature participation from more than 100 local and international entities

RIYADH: The International Dates Conference and Exhibition is set to take place at the Riyadh Front Exhibition and Conference Center from Nov. 19 to 28 under the theme “World of Dates.”

The event aims to solidify Saudi Arabia’s position as a global leader in the production and export of dates, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

Organized by the National Center for Palms and Dates, the exhibition will feature participation from more than 100 local and international entities.

It will showcase innovative date products and serve as a global platform for knowledge exchange and market expansion, promoting Saudi dates in international markets.

The event seeks to support innovation in the dates industry, enhance the competitiveness of Saudi products, and position the palm and dates sector as a key contributor to economic development, aligning with Saudi Vision 2030.

The exhibition will also include a scientific conference in collaboration with King Faisal University, SPA reported.

The conference will focus on local and international efforts to advance the palm and dates sector in Saudi Arabia by adopting smart solutions to improve agricultural practices, highlighting the health benefits of dates, and encouraging the use of e-commerce.


Saudi Fashion Commission, French luxury giant to award sustainable startups

Saudi Fashion Commission, French luxury giant to award sustainable startups
Updated 18 November 2024
Follow

Saudi Fashion Commission, French luxury giant to award sustainable startups

Saudi Fashion Commission, French luxury giant to award sustainable startups
  • Finalists will undergo mentorship and workshops to refine their key performance indicators and pitching skills

RIYADH: The Saudi Ministry of Culture’s Fashion Commission and France-based luxury conglomerate Kering have announced a competition to discover and support innovative startups making a meaningful impact on sustainability within the fashion industry.

The initiative, Kering Generation Award X Saudi Arabia, will foster circular innovation, focusing on key themes such as customer engagement, the circular economy, and water protection.

The application process is now open to startups based in or expanding into Saudi Arabia. By December, 20 finalists will be shortlisted to participate in a boot camp in Riyadh.

Finalists will undergo mentorship and workshops to refine their key performance indicators and pitching skills, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The top 10 proposals will move to the jury evaluation phase, judged on innovation, sustainability, and commercial potential.

The competition will culminate in an awards ceremony in January in Riyadh, where the top three winners will be announced.

The winners will receive a 10-day mentorship trip to Paris with Kering’s sustainability teams and the opportunity to showcase their innovations at the ChangeNow Summit 2025.

The launch follows a strategic memorandum of understanding between the commission and Kering, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s broader vision to promote sustainable practices in the fashion sector.

CEO of the commission Burak Çakmak said: “This initiative reflects our commitment to driving innovation and building a sustainable future for fashion in Saudi Arabia.”

Kering’s chief sustainability officer, Marie-Claire Daveu, added: “Through this partnership, we aim to inspire the next generation and foster impactful change in the Saudi fashion ecosystem.”

The collaboration highlights Saudi Arabia’s dedication to creating a sustainable and innovative fashion industry aligned with global standards.


Saudi project clears 614 Houthi mines in Yemen

Saudi project clears 614 Houthi mines in Yemen
Updated 18 November 2024
Follow

Saudi project clears 614 Houthi mines in Yemen

Saudi project clears 614 Houthi mines in Yemen

RIYADH: Members of Saudi Arabia’s Project Masam removed 614 explosive devices from various regions of Yemen last week.

The total included three anti-personnel mines, 36 anti-tank mines, 574 unexploded ordnances and one explosive device, according to a recent report.

Ousama Al-Gosaibi, the initiative’s managing director, said a total of 469,576 mines had been cleared since its inception in 2018.

The explosives were planted indiscriminately and posed a threat to civilians, including children, women and the elderly.

The demining operations took place in Marib, Aden, Jouf, Shabwa, Taiz, Hodeidah, Lahij, Sanaa, Al-Bayda, Al-Dhale and Saada.

The initiative trains local demining engineers and provides them with modern equipment. It also offers support to Yemenis injured by the devices.

Teams are tasked with clearing villages, roads and schools to facilitate safe movement for civilians and the delivery of humanitarian aid.

About 5 million people have been forced to flee their homes since the start of the conflict in Yemen, many of them displaced by the presence of land mines.