The 81st Venice Film Festival is in full swing in Italy, with Saudi Arabia also strengthening its presence on the global film scene by participating.
This year’s schedule includes four films supported by the Red Sea Film Festival, reflecting Saudi Arabia’s growing influence in international cinema.
This momentum came after the historic success of ‘Nora’, which Cannes Film Festival It is the first Saudi film to be selected for the Un Certain Regard category.
This signals a significant shift in how Saudi Arabia is representing itself by shaping world cinema.
In a world where media shapes how we think, movies don’t just entertain, but challenge perceptions, spark dialogue, and foster a deeper understanding of different cultures and experiences.
While traditional Western narratives often confine Saudi culture and society to stereotypes, a new wave of filmmakers are offering a fresh perspective, highlighting the realities behind the headlines and the kingdom’s rich diversity. Highlighting
After the reopening of cinemas in Saudi Arabia in 2018, Saudi Arabia has become the largest cinema market in the Middle East and North Africa, making its film industry one of the most dynamic in the region.
Significant investments have been made as part of a broader plan for social and cultural transformation under Saudi Vision 2030, which has paved the way for the creation of a vibrant film ecosystem that will foster the emergence of talented writers, directors and producers. supports, and enhances the quality and diversity of films produced.
This support extends beyond the borders of the kingdom and to Saudi Arabia globally Cinema I present as an important player.
The film ‘Nora’ is directed by Tawfiq Al Zaidi, and its screenplay was able to receive a post-production grant from the Red Sea Film Foundation after winning a fund award at the Saudi Film Commission’s Dow Film Competition.
The Red Sea Foundation has supported more than 250 projects from development to distribution, and plans to provide $14 million in grants through the Red Sea Fund this year.
Among the films supported by the Red Sea Film Foundation in Venice this year are Khalid Mansoor’s ‘Sea King Heaven for Mr. Rambo’ and Mehdi Barsawi’s ‘Ayesha’.
Although not Saudi films, their inclusion in the biennale underscores Saudi Arabia’s growing role in reshaping world cinema.
Saudi influence beyond borders
In fact, the region’s film festivals have become important platforms for expanding the reach of Saudi films beyond the region.
Films screened at the Red Sea Festival attract the attention of critics, audiences and major festivals such as Cannes, Toronto and Venice.
Screening or winning awards on the international awards circuit is very important for distribution in international markets.
Saudi Arabia’s support of films from across the region, as well as its emerging film industry, is gaining increasing recognition on the international awards circuit and making inroads into markets outside the region.
The dark comedy ‘Mandub’ (Night Courier), another film supported by the Red Sea Foundation, is a notable example.
The film was one of the first selling films at the Toronto Film Festival, and was picked up by Mets Films and MPM Premium for distribution in European markets.
The film is gaining international popularity, now showing in cinemas in the UK and Ireland.
Whether made within the kingdom or supported by films abroad, Saudi-backed productions are reshaping perceptions by reflecting the complex social and cultural dynamics of their society.
‘Mandub’ is the debut feature film of Ali Al-Khalthami and is a comedy and social commentary.
His exploration of the less visible urban aspects of Riyadh challenges preconceived notions of Saudi society and provides a deeper understanding of the complexities of life in Saudi Arabia.
Future scenario
Widespread distribution of Saudi films, particularly in Europe and North America, remains a challenge.
However, as more films gain international recognition, this situation may change.
The growing interest of international film financiers, distributors and producers in films from the region, as seen at the Red Sea International Film Festival, shows the potential for growth.
The festival has become a hub for those looking for new talent and stories from the Middle East.
This growing interest is due to the unique perspectives that are being offered and not because of attracting Hollywood talent or PR.
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A continued commitment to growing the film industry and nurturing local talent is a key factor in the success and demand for films made in the region.
Likewise, cost-cutting for major international studios and streaming platforms is driving industry leaders toward films produced in the Middle East.
The reach of streaming platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime and Disney Plus has the potential to deliver and distribute these films to millions of people around the world—and they are also increasingly interested in Middle Eastern-themed content. .
Production spending in the Middle East has increased by 46.3 percent, with local platforms such as Shahid VIP committing an additional $100 million per year to original content.
This development highlights the growing potential of the Middle East film industry.
Netflix, for example, has significantly expanded its catalog of Arabic content, and these films are now available in more than 190 countries.
Netflix’s revenue in 2023 was $33.7 billion, 44 percent of which came from the United States and Canada, reflecting the importance of its international markets.
Netflix’s first Arabic film ‘Perfect Strangers’ has quickly become one of the most watched non-English films on the platform, with millions of people watching it within weeks of its release.
These trends are a clear sign of increasing momentum and influence.
Through film, audiences around the world can access, appreciate and understand the region’s diverse cultural landscapes and social dynamics, and more than ever before, audiences around the world can witness the region’s rich narratives first-hand.
As filmmakers continue to create creations that challenge stereotypes and provoke thought, the question is how can we, as global audiences and supporters of local culture, support Saudi filmmakers to Expose your authentic stories to the world?
Thanks Arab News. The author of this piece, Al Anoud Al Nahait, is a communications strategist at SRMG Think, the research and consulting arm of SRMG.
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#Saudi #Arabia #making #place #world #cinema
2024-09-08 00:13:12
Table of Contents
Saudi Arabia’s Rise in Global Cinema: Expanding Influence Beyond Borders
The 81st Venice Film Festival is in full swing in Italy, and Saudi Arabia is strengthening its presence on the global film scene by participating. This year’s schedule includes four films supported by the Red Sea Film Festival, reflecting Saudi Arabia’s growing influence in international cinema.
The historic success of ‘Nora’, the first Saudi film to be selected for the Un Certain Regard category at the Cannes Film Festival, has paved the way for Saudi Arabia’s increased representation in world cinema [[2]]. This significant shift in how Saudi Arabia is representing itself through film is challenging traditional Western narratives that often confine Saudi culture and society to stereotypes.
In a world where media shapes how we think, movies don’t just entertain, but challenge perceptions, spark dialogue, and foster a deeper understanding of different cultures and experiences. A new wave of filmmakers are offering a fresh perspective, highlighting the realities behind the headlines and the kingdom’s rich diversity.
After the reopening of cinemas in Saudi Arabia in 2018, the country has become the largest cinema market in the Middle East and North Africa, making its film industry one of the most dynamic in the region [[1]]. Significant investments have been made as part of a broader plan for social and cultural transformation under Saudi Vision 2030, which has paved the way for the creation of a vibrant film ecosystem that will foster the emergence of talented writers, directors, and producers.
The Red Sea Film Foundation has supported more than 250 projects from development to distribution and plans to provide $14 million in grants through the Red Sea Fund this year. Among the films supported by the Red Sea Film Foundation in Venice this year are Khalid Mansoor’s ‘Sea King Heaven for Mr. Rambo’ and Mehdi Barsawi’s ’Ayesha’.
In addition to supporting Saudi films, the country is also extending its support to films from across the region, as well as its emerging film industry, gaining recognition on the international awards circuit and making inroads into markets outside the region.
The region’s film festivals, such as the Red Sea International Film Festival and the Saudi Film Festival, have become important platforms for expanding the reach of Saudi films beyond the region [[1]][[2]][[3]]. Films screened at these festivals attract the attention of critics, audiences, and major festivals such as Cannes, Toronto, and Venice. Screening or winning awards on the international awards circuit is very important for distribution in international markets.
Saudi Arabia’s increasing presence on the global film scene is a testament to the country’s growing influence beyond its borders. With a vibrant film ecosystem, emerging talent, and significant investments in film production and distribution, Saudi Arabia is set to become a major player in the global film industry.
References:
[[1]]https://redseafilmfest.com/en/
[[2]]https://www.ithra.com/en/programme/2023/Saudi-Film-Festival-9th-edition
[[3]]https://www.spa.gov.sa/en/N2062280
Saudi Arabia Takes Center Stage in Global Cinema
The 81st Venice Film Festival is in full swing, and Saudi Arabia is making its presence felt on the global film scene. This marks a significant shift in how the kingdom is representing itself, shaping world cinema, and challenging traditional Western narratives.
A Growing Influence in International Cinema
This year’s schedule includes four films supported by the Red Sea Film Festival, showcasing Saudi Arabia’s growing influence in international cinema. The historic success of “Nora” at the Cannes Film Festival, the first Saudi film to be selected for the Un Certain Regard category, has paved the way for this momentum.
reshaping Perceptions
In a world where media shapes our thoughts, movies don’t just entertain, but challenge perceptions, spark dialogue, and foster a deeper understanding of different cultures and experiences. A new wave of filmmakers is offering a fresh perspective, highlighting the realities behind the headlines and the kingdom’s rich diversity.
Saudi Arabia’s Emerging Film Industry
After the reopening of cinemas in Saudi Arabia in 2018, the kingdom has become the largest cinema market in the Middle East and North Africa, making its film industry one of the most dynamic in the region. Significant investments have been made as part of a broader plan for social and cultural transformation under Saudi Vision 2030, which has paved the way for the creation of a vibrant
