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Arab News
14-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Effat Film Festival celebrates emerging Saudi filmmakers
JEDDAH: The 12th edition of a student film festival celebrating the creativity of up-and-coming Saudi filmmakers is taking place at Effat University in Jeddah. The Effat International Student Film Festival, which ends on April 15, has attracted more than 2,200 film submissions from 90 countries, as well as entries from 10 Saudi universities. The competition shortlisted a total of 89 films from 28 countries, with cash prizes totaling more than SR50,000 ($13,333) available to the winners. This year's festival, held under the theme 'From Dream to Film,' recognizes notable figures in the film industry, including Saudi director Abdullah Al-Muheisen, Saudi actor Hassan Assiri, Saudi director Khalid Al-Harbi, British director Joanna Quinn, and Prof. Ghada Gabara, president of the Egyptian Academy of Arts. Other honorees hail from Japan, the US, and China. Dr. Mohamed Ghazala, head of the School of Cinematic Arts and festival director, told of his passion for the event by emphasizing the importance of community and creative storytelling. He said: 'Running a film festival is just like making a film. We're fueled by passion and the incredible support of our volunteers, contributors, and arts funding. 'It's not about the money; it's about uplifting filmmakers and nurturing a vibrant community. While organizing a festival can be challenging, it's an exciting journey filled with hard work and joy. 'You don't need a massive budget, endless time, or extensive business expertise to start a small film festival, the audience will find you. What matters most is a genuine love for film, the courage to take risks, and the drive to share meaningful stories.' Jala Jalal, the leader of the student club at the School of Cinematic Arts, reflected on the significance of the festival for students. Jalal said: 'The showreel is more than just a collection of films, it's a celebration of our creativity and growth as filmmakers. It's a reflection of our voices and visions. 'What I love most about this festival is the opportunity it gives us to connect with the film industry, both locally and internationally. Working on the showreel and seeing the final outcome fills us with pride, not just in ourselves, but also in being part of a university that provides us the platform to bring our visions to life.' The festival's jury members come from a diverse international background. Friedrich Kluetsch, president of the documentary film jury, told Arab News: 'The Saudi submissions were marked by a palpable joy in discovering the filmmakers' surroundings and their close connection to the protagonists. 'It was evident in the films' self-reflection, with three of them exploring filmmaking itself, portraying established filmmakers and an abandoned cinema. 'We noticed slight differences between the Saudi and international entries, particularly in the use of commentary or a narrator's voice, which was more common in the international films and helped express the filmmakers' perspectives.' Dr. Haifa Jamal Al-Lail, president of Effat University, highlighted the festival's broader mission to provide a unique platform for Saudi and international film students to showcase their work. She said: 'This festival plays a pivotal role in creating connections between young filmmakers worldwide. It aligns with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, fostering the country's cultural movement and global presence in the arts.' Dr. Asmaa Ibrahim, dean of the College of Architecture and Design at Effat University, underscored the growing international recognition of the festival, saying: 'The increasing number of applications each year is testament to the festival's growing status. 'It's now the largest festival of its kind in the Arab world in terms of both the quality of films and the specialized focus on student filmmakers.' Alongside film screenings, the festival features a range of seminars and workshops conducted by industry leaders, including representatives from Netflix, Sony, MBC Academy, and Toon Boom Animation. Notable academic figures, such as professors from the University of Southern California, and the Communication University of China, were also scheduled to contribute lectures and workshops on topics like cinematography, directing, sound production, and film distribution. An open discussion hosted by media personality Suha Al-Waal with actor and producer Hassan Assiri at Hayy Jameel also took place at the event. Assiri, who was to be honored for his significant contributions to Saudi drama and production, shared insights into the evolving Saudi film industry, highlighting the growing opportunities for local talent and the increasing global recognition of Saudi productions.
CairoScene
20-02-2025
- Entertainment
- CairoScene
‘Our Uncle Salah Jahin' Caricature Exhibition Now on Display in Rome
The Egyptian Academy of Arts in Rome is hosting an exhibition titled 'Love With Our Philosopher of the Simple…Our Uncle Salah Jahin', showcasing 32 never-before-seen original Jahin drawings. Feb 20, 2025 'Our Uncle Salah Jahin', an exhibition dedicated to the eponymous caricaturist, has been put on display in Rome, Italy, until February 20th. Previously held at the Hanager Arts Centre in Cairo, the Egyptian Academy of Arts in Rome is hosting the exhibition under the title 'Love with Our Philosopher of the Simple…Our Uncle Salah Jahin' in its main hall. Both these exhibitions are part of an initiative launched by the Egyptian Ministry of Culture to honour Salah Jahin, recognising his contributions to the country as a poet and an artist. Throughout his lifetime, he produced many works addressing poignant social issues with a satirical approach, making him an iconic figure in Egyptian and Arab culture. The exhibition in Cairo featured a collection of his rare drawings, including 32 original drawings displayed for the first time, as well as around 60 caricature portraits of Jahin by 52 artists from Egypt and beyond. The Egyptian Academy of Arts in Rome also features a rare collection of Jahin's caricature drawings, and showcases his famous quatrains translated into Arabic, Italian, English and French.
Al-Ahram Weekly
19-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Our Uncle Salah Jahin: Exhibition celebrating Egyptian poet, culture icon in Cairo, Rome - Visual Art - Arts & Culture
Egypt celebrates the distinguished poet and cultural icon Salah Jahin by holding a caricature exhibition called Our Uncle Salah Jahin, which will then move to Rome. The exhibition, which will run from 19 to 20 February, will be held at Adam Henein Hall in the Hanager Arts Centre. Under the title In Love with the Philosopher of the Uncle Salah Jahin, the Egyptian Academy of Arts in Rome will host the exhibition starting 21 February in its main hall. Both exhibitions are part of the initiative the Ministry of Culture launched to honour Salah Jahin (also spelt Jaheen) and celebrate him as a poet and artist and a national icon who creatively portrayed Egypt during a challenging era. Adam Henein Hall showcases a collection of rare and original drawings by Salah Jahin, alongside caricature portraits of him created by a group of cartoonists from Egypt and several other countries. The exhibition features 32 original drawings by the late artist, displayed for the first time as part of Egypt's artistic heritage. It includes nearly 60 caricature portraits by 52 artists worldwide, including Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Portugal, India, Uruguay, Spain, Indonesia, China, Poland, Kosovo, Cuba, North Macedonia, Brazil, Peru, Russia, Sweden, Myanmar, and Egypt. Exhibition highlights Among the exhibition's highlights is a caricature of Jahin by Syrian artist Saad Hago. Hago created a portrait using a typographic approach integrating one of Jahin's famous poetic lines. Another notable work is by Egyptian artist Ahmed Abdel-Naeem, who used vibrant colours to reflect the artistic diversity of Jahin's works, including his philosophical yet simple quatrains and his contributions to songwriting, playwriting, and caricature art. Bahraini artist Ali Al-Samekh presents an innovative portrayal of Jahin, capturing the depth of his artistic and cultural journey through expressive eyes. Another remarkable piece is a painting by artist Hosni Abbas. It depicts Jahin holding an oversized paintbrush, which some see as the artistic tool he leaned on throughout his life; others interpret it as a symbol of his triumphant success. In addition to the vibrant, colourful pieces, the exhibition includes black-and-white portraits and single-tone artworks. This diversity in artistic techniques and styles from international artists enriches the exhibition and adds intellectual and creative depth. Uncle Jahin in Rome! The Egyptian Academy of Arts in Rome will feature a rare collection of caricature drawings by Salah Jahin, emphasizing his contribution to Egypt's artistic heritage. The exhibition will also include works showcasing his famous quatrains translated into Arabic, Italian, English, and French, highlighting his intellectual impact on Italian audiences. Fawzi Morsi, the secretary-general of the Egyptian Caricature Society and coordinator of two exhibitions, told Ahram Online that several caricature artists from Egypt and beyond will participate in the Rome exhibition, recognizing Jahin as a significant artistic figure in the field of caricature at all levels. The Rome exhibition marks an exceptional cooperation between the Egyptian Academy and the Egyptian Caricature Society, chaired by artist Mostafa El-Sheikh. Salah Jahin, the icon Salah Jahin (1930-1986) was an Egyptian poet and artist who began his career in caricature at Rose El-Youssef magazine before working at various other press institutions, including Al-Ahram and Sabah El-Kheir magazine. He was known for addressing topics that touched Egyptians, capturing their concerns with a satirical approach that brought smiles while expressing their struggles. His unique artistic style allowed him to create full narratives within a single caricature, making him an iconic figure in Egyptian and Arab culture. Jahin's words and songs resonated throughout the Arab world, and his colourful, cheerful illustrations conveyed profound human values. The Our Uncle Salah Jahin exhibition is part of a series of events organized by the Ministry of Culture to honour Egypt's creative icons, shedding light on their artistic and cultural contributions and their role in enriching Egyptian identity. This event follows last month's tribute to the legendary filmmaker Shadi Abdel Salam through the event Shadi's Day… Celebrating Egyptian Identity. 19 February: Salah Jahin's celebrations The day includes many other activities spanning multiple venues in Cairo and Alexandria. These include music performances, poetry recitals, cultural seminars, and art exhibitions at the Cairo, Alexandria, and Damanhour operas. The General Authority for Cultural Palaces, the National Library and Archives, the Fine Arts Sector, and the National Centre for Translation will curate events in the governorates. Short link:
