Latest news with #FilmCommission
CairoScene
18 hours ago
- Entertainment
- CairoScene
Saudi Arabia to Host Film Criticism Forum Across Three Cities
The Film Criticism Conference returns with sessions in Asir, Qatif and Riyadh, focusing on how cinema mirrors place as identity, narrative, and historical and visual reflection. Saudi Arabia will host the third edition of its annual Film Criticism Conference under the theme 'Cinema: the Art of Place', with events scheduled across three cities: Asir in August, Qatif in October, and Riyadh in November. Organised by the Film Commission, the forum aims to deepen critical dialogue around cinema, moving beyond conventional festival formats to provide a dedicated platform for critics, researchers, filmmakers and Saudi talents. This year's theme invites reflection on how cinema portrays 'place' not only as a physical setting but as a bearer of identity, narrative, and collective visual memory. The programme will feature a range of lectures, practical workshops, and curated art exhibitions that explore cinematic space as symbol, mirror, or imaginative construction. The event is positioned as a space for philosophical and critical engagement, furthering the Kingdom's ambitions to become a regional hub for cinematic discourse. Following a strong showing in 2024, when the conference attracted over 10,000 visitors from more than 30 countries and brought together over 35 participating entities and leading figures from the global and regional film industry, this year's edition builds on that momentum with expanded programming and broader outreach.
Arab News
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Arab News
3 Saudi cities to host film criticism forum
RIYADH: The Film Commission has announced the launch of the third annual Film Criticism Conference and its related events, under the theme 'Cinema: the Art of Place.' This year's conference will be held at three cultural enters: Asir in August, Qatif in October, and Riyadh in November, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The event reflects the commission's commitment to creating a critical landscape beyond traditional events, establishing an interactive knowledge platform for critics, researchers, filmmakers, and emerging Saudi talents. The program includes informative sessions, practical workshops, and specialized art exhibitions, the SPA added. This edition opens dialogue on the relationship between cinema and place, viewing it as a means of identity, narrative, and visual reflection that enriches both historically. It will explore place in cinema as a symbol, a mirror of reality, or a window into imagination, inviting diverse critical and philosophical perspectives. The conference continues to strengthen its role as a platform celebrating cinematic criticism in the region, according to the SPA. Last year's event attracted more than 10,000 visitors from more than 30 countries, with participation from more than 35 local and international entities, along with prominent critics, directors, and researchers.
Arab News
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Saudi film ‘Hijra' to compete at Venice festival
RIYADH: Saudi filmmaker Shahad Ameen's feature film 'Hijra' (Migration) will compete in the Venice Spotlight Competition at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival, the Saudi Press Agency reported. Backed by the Film Commission's Daw program, the selection is Saudi Arabia's latest bid for global recognition after Ameen's award-winning debut 'Scales' premiered at the same festival in 2019. The film follows a grandmother, Khairiya Nazmi, and her granddaughter, Lamar Feddan, as they journey across northern Saudi Arabia to find a missing teenage girl. Shot over more than 55 days in eight Saudi cities – Taif, Jeddah, Madinah, Wadi Al-Faraa, AlUla, Tabuk, NEOM, and Duba – the story unfolds against the backdrop of Hajj. Ameen's narrative explores Saudi Arabia's historical role as a crossroads for Muslim communities, weaving themes of migration and intergenerational resilience. Saudi filmmaker Shahad Ameen's feature film 'Hijra' (Migration) will compete in the Venice Spotlight Competition Film Commission CEO Abdullah Al-Qahtani said: 'Our participation in the Venice International Film Festival reflects the remarkable progress of Saudi cinema and the dedication of our filmmakers. 'Through initiatives like the Daw program, we empower a new generation of Saudi storytellers to share authentic narratives with global audiences. We are honored to represent the Kingdom at this prestigious event and look forward to building new partnerships and opportunities for Saudi talent.' He noted that the Daw initiative has supported more than 250 regional films since its launch, aligning with Vision 2030's goal of positioning Saudi cinema on the global stage. During the festival, the commission will host a roundtable, 'Young Audiences and Cinemas,' to explore strategies for engaging younger generations through local and global case studies. It will also present a panel, 'Making Cinematic Success,' featuring Saudi filmmakers crafting original narratives inspired by local culture and connecting with global audiences. At the same venue, nine Saudi short films will be screened, showing the diversity of national creative talent and storytelling.
NZ Herald
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- NZ Herald
Media Insider: Taxpayer-funded Jacinda Ardern movie ‘Mania' scrapped
The New Zealand-produced film, titled Mania, had been originally expected to go head-to-head this year with the New Zealand/US-produced and Ardern-backed Prime Minister movie. Mania producer Emma Slade, of Auckland-based Firefly Films, confirmed on Wednesday that the film had been scrapped. 'Once we heard that another project was underway and further advanced than we were, we decided not to pursue the project further,' Slade said in a brief email response to a list of questions. Former NZ Prime Minister Dame Jacinda Ardern. Media Insider revealed in March last year that the NZ Film Commission board had agreed to $800,000 in taxpayer funding for Mania. The film would likely have received a further $1.2 million in public support through the Government's screen production rebate. According to a synopsis provided by the NZFC at the time, the documentary would explore the 'mania' that propelled Ardern's rise as a young political leader and how that 'later collided with a backlash of hate'. The movie was neither authorised nor endorsed by Ardern, who threw her support instead behind Prime Minister. 'The producers have not sought or used Film Commission funding and that was important to me.' Nevertheless, Mania had received 'significant foreign investment and international interest', NZFC chief executive Annie Murray said earlier last year. At that stage, film bosses did not seem worried about two Ardern movies potentially being in the market at the same time. '[Production company] Madison Wells appear to be doing an authorised biopic on Dame Jacinda Ardern's political career, while the independent Mania documentary explores quite different social and political issues in New Zealand society arising out of her tenure as Prime Minister,' said Murray last June. 'It will be good for the NZ viewing public to have the contrasting stories available at about the same time. Each work will likely benefit from this as well. 'The success of Mania is not undermined by the Madison Wells' doco; NZFC is not reviewing funding and we remain confident that it can proceed as planned.' Prime Minister, which featured at the Sundance festival in January, opened in the US last month and will feature at the NZ International Film Festival in Auckland on August 2 and in Wellington on August 16. The movie Prime Minister featured at the Sundance festival in January - in attendance, from left, Gigi Pritzker, Clarke Gayford, Lindsay Utz, Dame Jacinda Ardern, Michelle Walshe and Rachel Shane. Photo / Getty It has been produced by New Zealand's Dark Doris and American firms Madison Wells and Divergent Pictures. It has been produced with Ardern's full support, including interviews and behind-the-scenes footage. The NZFC issued a statement last December saying it was delighted Prime Minister had been accepted at Sundance. In a footnote to that press release, the commission said the producers of Mania had 'informed the Film Commission that the production is on an indefinite pause, and no Film Commission funding has been drawn down'. Murray told this week's Media Insider podcast that taxpayer money committed to projects had a deadline. Producers would have to reapply for any funding should they want to resurrect the Ardern project. 'I think the fact that this new film has come out now... that would be a factor that we would take into account,' said Murray. 'But we'd have to look at it on its merits like we do with any other funding decision.' Original distributor pulled out The film was promoted at Cannes in 2023, with Auckland-based Ahi Films listed as the distributor in marketing materials. Ahi later withdrew from the project. Last July, Murray said a new distributor was now attached, but neither she nor Slade would disclose their name. 'It is not unusual for market partners to change,' said Murray at the time. 'The Film Commission is not party to the commercial negotiations between producers and distributors, but we do require producers to have a distribution partner as a condition of funding. 'The name of that distributor remains confidential for now for commercial reasons.' She said when commercial negotiations were complete, the distributors would make an announcement. Slade said at the time: 'We are currently focused on making the film. There is no need for them to be named at this stage.' Editor-at-Large Shayne Currie is one of New Zealand's most experienced senior journalists and media leaders. He has held executive and senior editorial roles at NZME including Managing Editor, NZ Herald Editor and Herald on Sunday Editor and has a small shareholding in NZME. Watch Media Insider - The Podcast on YouTube, or listen to it on iHeartRadio, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Arab News
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Saudi film body joins global audiovisual group
RIYADH: The Film Commission announced its membership in the International Association of Sound and Audiovisual Archives, a step aimed at supporting its work in audiovisual archiving. The association includes members from 70 countries and represents institutions that preserve materials such as visual content, musical works, historical and literary recordings, and oral histories. According to the Saudi Press Agency, this membership supports the commission's efforts to preserve Saudi Arabia's audiovisual heritage. Through this affiliation, the commission plans to develop archiving projects and engage in knowledge exchange with international institutions. The move also reflects the commission's aim to adopt recognized practices and modern technologies in film archiving, the SPA reported. Cooperation with association members will provide access to innovations in audiovisual preservation and contribute to efforts to safeguard the Kingdom's cultural heritage. Founded in 1969 in Amsterdam, the association promotes collaboration among institutions focused on audiovisual preservation. It hosts an annual conference for sharing expertise in preservation, restoration, digitization, intellectual property, and public access to archival materials.
