Diriyah Art Futures returns with a tech twist
Titled Maknana, this exhibition will shine a spotlight on the use of technology in art.
In recent years, Saudi Arabia has been making waves on all fronts, and this is especially true of the creative sector. Cementing its place as a global leader in this space, the Kingdom has just unveiled the return of Diriyah Art Futures.
Taking place in Riyadh's Diriyah district, from 21 April to 19 July, Diriyah Art Futures is back with a second exhibition. Titled Maknana: An Archaeology of New Media Art in the Arab World, this exhibition will shine a spotlight on how technology in art is now becoming a part of creative expression.
The exhibition, co-curated by artists and curators Haytham Nawar and Ala Younis, is called Maknana, which translates to automation. It's all about exploring how Arab artists have engaged with technology — not just by using it, but also by questioning it to say something powerful and personal. Split into four sections — Automation, Autonomy, Ripples, and Glitch — the exhibition will trace trends and tech experiments across generations and borders.
Maknana at Diriyah Arts Futures will feature over 40 artists from across the region. Here, you'll find everything from vintage video art and archival pieces to new digital experiments. Some names to look out for include Ahmed Mater, Muhannad Shono, Emily Jacir, Mona Hatoum, Akram Zaatari, Hassan Meer, Hicham Berrada and Farah Al-Qasimi to name a few.
In addition to artworks, Diriyah Art Futures is serving up a full cultural experience. Here, you can enjoy talks, live performances, film screenings, and hands-on workshops. So, if you're on the hunt for something artsy and inspiring to do in Riyadh this summer, make sure Diriyah Art Futures is on your list. You never know, it might just spark your next big idea.
GO: Visit https://daf.moc.gov.sa for more information.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Broadcast Pro
2 hours ago
- Broadcast Pro
RFC – Jordan extends submission deadline for 20th Rawi Screenwriters Lab
Rawi works with a diverse group of Creative Advisors and selection committee members from the Arab region and beyond. The Royal Film Commission – Jordan (RFC) has extended the submission deadline for the 20th edition of its Rawi Screenwriters Lab. Arab screenwriters now have until midnight on Saturday, June 14, 2025 (Jordan Time) to submit their entries for this milestone edition of the Lab, which will be held from November 20 to 26, 2025, in Wadi Feynan, Jordan. Launched in 2005 in collaboration with the Sundance Institute, the Rawi Screenwriters Lab has evolved into one of the Arab world's most respected script development programmes. The name 'Rawi,' meaning both 'storyteller' and 'water bearer' in Arabic, encapsulates the Lab's mission to cultivate and nourish Arab voices in cinema. Over the past two decades, the Lab has supported more than 150 emerging screenwriters, many of whom have become influential voices in contemporary Arab film. Held annually in a retreat-style setting, the Lab provides eight selected Fellows with an immersive creative environment. Each participant is paired with four acclaimed Creative Advisors—renowned Arab or international screenwriters and editors—for intensive one-on-one sessions. The experience also includes informal discussions and group exchanges, fostering a strong sense of community and artistic collaboration. For the 20th edition, the Lab draws inspiration from Daucus Carota, a resilient wild Jordanian plant, symbolising strength and creative growth. In this spirit, Rawi continues to provide space, guidance and mentorship to screenwriters who are ready to evolve their craft and share their stories with the world. The programme is open to Arab screenwriters working on their first or second feature-length narrative screenplay. Eligible applicants may apply as independent screenwriters, writer-directors, or co-writers. Submissions must include a completed screenplay (minimum 60 pages), a logline, a synopsis, a filmmaker's statement, a biography, and links to previous work. While screenplays may initially be submitted in Arabic, selected projects must later provide an English translation. All other application materials must be submitted in English to ensure equal evaluation by an international committee. Applications must be submitted through the official online form. Results will be announced by August 1, 2025.
Campaign ME
9 hours ago
- Campaign ME
Abu Dhabi's CMA, FilmGate partner to boost production sector, upskill local talent
Abu Dhabi's Creative Media Authority (CMA) has partnered with FilmGate, one of the UAE's leading independent, Emirati-owned and operated production houses, to establish a suite of benefits for the wider production industry in Abu Dhabi. FilmGate will produce a minimum of 15 productions in Abu Dhabi over the next five years, which will employ 50 per cent of production talent from within the CMA's ecosystem. The partnership will also provide extensive learning and development benefits for the ecosystem including annual workshops hosted by FilmGate for the industry on specialist production topics, as well as four- to six-month paid internships every year for young Emirati talent – with a view to providing permanent employment opportunities to grow and nurture talent from within the UAE. Mohamed Dobay, Acting Director-General of Creative Media Authority, said, 'Establishing partnerships with local and regional production leaders is a key element of our industry development strategy to make Abu Dhabi a global content hub. Alongside attracting the major Hollywood and Bollywood productions, it is critical that we support and increase the Arab content produced in Abu Dhabi to ensure we are building an ecosystem where Emirati and wider Arab narratives can thrive.' Dobay added, 'The partnerships we are curating are designed to deliver unrivalled opportunities throughout the ecosystem, from employment for our 1000 plus registered freelancers to intern opportunities for our young creatives; these partnerships support on all levels.' Founded by leading Emirati filmmaker Mansoor Al Yahbouni Al Dhaheri, FilmGate will also benefit from the recent update on the rebate offered by Abu Dhabi Film Commission where qualifying productions now can apply for cashback on production and post-production spend starting at 35 per cent up to 50 per cent based on meeting a clear set of criteria. Mansoor Al Yahbouni Al Dhaheri, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of FilmGate, added, 'It is a significant year for Abu Dhabi with the new rebate for production starting January 1 and a partnership of this nature with CMA will allow us to maximise all that Abu Dhabi offers in terms of filming locations, creative infrastructure, talent and financial support to produce more content than ever before.' As a producer, director, writer, and, most notably, philanthropist Al Dhaheri has created content which has been screened at festivals across the world including at Abu Dhabi Film Festival, the Dubai International Film Festival and Gulf Film Festival. Some of his award-winning and nominated projects include Al Biet Metwahid (Unified Home) (2013), ( (2012), Little Sparta (2016) and Swim 62 (2023). Other more recent work includes the documentary Abu Dhabi success story (2024), TV series Dreams Drawn by Dust (2022), House of Life (2022), Scattered Barriers (2021), three seasons of The Platform and feature film The Misfits (2021). As the CEO of FilmGate, Al Dhaheri leads a team of directors, scriptwriters, cameramen, video editors, animators, audio auditors and producers to create engaging and inspiring content from Abu Dhabi. The FilmGate partnership is one of several partnerships CMA is establishing in order to provide further stimulus across the creative industries of Abu Dhabi, of which the production industry is key.
Zawya
4 days ago
- Zawya
Onshur marks major milestone with graduation of Scale Track cohort
Sharjah, Under the patronage and in the presence of Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), the Sharjah Publishing Sustainability Fund (Onshur) celebrated the graduation of the first cohort of its 2025 Scale Track at SBA's headquarters. The programme is designed to support established publishers in the UAE in scaling their operations through sustainable and strategic growth. The ceremony honoured twelve publishers who completed the intensive training course. The event was attended by His Excellency H.E. Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, CEO of SBA, and H.E. Rashid Al Kous, Executive Director of the Emirates Publishers Association, as well as programme partners, experts, trainers, and representatives from local and Arab media. The twelve graduating publishers were selected from a pool of 62 applicants who met rigorous eligibility criteria. These included a demonstrated track record of producing high-quality cultural content and a well-defined strategic vision for expansion aligned with global publishing developments. The graduating cohort comprised Ajyal Publishing, Ghaf Publications, Sidra Publishing and Distribution, Loaloa Publishing and Distribution, Kalman Publishing and Distribution, Nabatti Publishing, Shaheen Printing Publishing and Distribution, Dar Al-Farqad, Dar Shams Publishing, Dar Al Fikr Al Jadeed, Dar Al Bayan Al Arabi, and Noor Publishing. Driving tangible progress for Emirati and Arab publishers Commenting on the occasion, Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi, Chairperson of SBA, emphasised the importance of empowering UAE publishers to grow and innovate within a sustainable framework. She stated: 'The Scale Track reflects our vision of enabling publishers to move beyond survival, towards a future defined by excellence, creativity, and leadership in enriching the Arab publishing landscape both locally and globally.' She continued: 'I am proud of this cohort, who have shown a remarkable capacity for learning, growth, and openness to new experiences. I believe they are now equipped with the tools and insights needed to build more resilient and adaptable business models. While they represent the current state of Arab publishing, they are equally poised to shape its global future, fuelled by ambition, determination, and a genuine passion for the written word.' Revitalising the future of Arab literature H.E. Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, CEO of SBA, said: 'What distinguishes these publishers is their clear ambition to grow and their willingness to embrace new tools and ideas that can propel their businesses forward. Their participation in the Scale Track represents a strategic blueprint for the regional publishing sector's expansion, firmly rooted in innovation and sustainability. This vision is inspired by Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi's commitment to cultivating a network of publishers equipped to compete on both regional and global stages, driving a renewed momentum for Arab literature and culture.' Turning vision into actionable success For his part, H.E. Rashid Al Kous, Executive Director of the Emirates Publishers Association, congratulated the graduates and commended their commitment to transforming ambition into tangible results. He said: 'We extend our congratulations to this exceptional cohort, who have exemplified what it means to turn vision into reality. The Scale Track has provided participants with critical skills enabling them to thrive in both local and international markets amid a rapidly evolving publishing landscape.' Laying the foundations for strategic publishing growth The ceremony opened with a keynote speech by Iman Ben Chaibah, Director of Strategic Initiatives and Global Markets at SBA. She highlighted that Onshur is reshaping how support is delivered to publishers by offering a comprehensive strategic framework that fosters long-term, sustainable growth. 'The Scale Track has surpassed the boundaries of traditional training,' she said. 'It has established a professional platform dedicated to enhancing publishers' operational capabilities and deepening their industry expertise.' Unlocking sustained expansion through targeted support Following the directives of Sheikha Bodour, graduates of the Scale Track benefit from a robust package of post-programme support. This includes one year of professional accounting services to ensure compliance, guidance in applying for the Sharjah International Translation Grant, onboarding to Ingram's global distribution network, access to business loans secured against publishing contracts, specialised advisory sessions, and priority access to upcoming Onshur initiatives. These measures are designed to help publishers shift from operational stability to strategic and sustainable expansion.
