
Fujifilm Instax ME launches campaign for emerging Saudi music talent
Fujifilm Instax Middle East has announced 'A Picture That Tells My Story,' a new campaign in partnership with Billboard Arabia that celebrates Saudi Arabia's rising generation of musical talent. The initiative marks the second phase of Instax's Emerging Artist Strategy in the Middle East and highlights the brand's growing role as a cultural investor in the region's creative industries.
Launched alongside the debut of the Instax Wide EVO, Instax's most advanced hybrid camera to date, the campaign merges music and photography as platforms for self-expression. Building on the momentum of last year's collaboration with the Female Talent Agency, which focused on showcasing Arab female artists through immersive storytelling and music-driven content, Instax is now spotlighting Saudi musicians.
Ten emerging Saudi artists are participating in this year's programme, using the Instax Wide EVO to document their personal and professional journeys. The camera offers 10 film effects, 10 lens effects and a range of creative controls that allow the musicians to experiment freely and share their experiences through instant prints.
Billboard Arabia, part of the globally renowned Billboard brand, is the brand's key strategic partner in this initiative. Its mission to spotlight Arab artists and share their stories with wider audiences. Sultan Al-Murshed, a Saudi singer from the 'A Picture Tells My Story' Campaign, described how he would have loved to capture himself and his audience during his very first solo concert with the Instax Wide EVO™. 'This camera will be with me for every beautiful memory', said Sultan. Another artist from the campaign, Abdulaziz Mane, used the Instax Wide EVO to print his audition and the semi-final performance experience on Saudi Idol. 'Honestly, pictures like that mean a lot to me', said Abdul.
Samantha Brett, Regional Marketing Manager for Fujifilm Instax Middle East, commented: 'We see Instax products as more than cameras, they are creative tools that belong in the hands of the next generation of storytellers. Together with cultural partners, we're building a consistent platform that supports talent, documents culture, and bridges analogue nostalgia with modern creativity.'
This latest campaign signals Instax's long-term commitment to the Middle East's creative economy, not through one-off influencer campaigns, but through sustained, artist-first platforms that empower local voices. It also aligns with the ambitions of Saudi Vision 2030, which emphasises the role of music, film, and entertainment in the Kingdom's cultural and economic transformation.
'Saudi Arabia is experiencing an incredible creative renaissance, and music is at the heart of that movement,' added Samantha. 'This campaign is a celebration of the talent, innovation, and ambition that define the Saudi creative generation, and we're just getting started.'
Through this latest effort, Instax is reinforcing its commitment to supporting the creative ecosystem across the Middle East and redefining how lifestyle brands can meaningfully contribute to the cultural landscape.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Tourism Breaking News
an hour ago
- Tourism Breaking News
Jordan rolls out the red carpet for extraordinary experiences in 2025
Post Views: 62 Jordan rolls out the red carpet this year to an eclectic lineup of activities that will delight visitors and residents alike. Revel in the rhythm of memserising concerts by world-renowned artists. Celebrate the richness of culture and have unlimited fun with family. Transcending the realm of music, poetry and art, Jordan is bringing a never-before-seen lineup of artists and cultural programmes that are not just designed to inspire hearts and minds. There is an extraordinary breadth of events, including the Jordan International Food Festival and the Amman International Film Festival, which will bring a horde of celebrities to the city. No celebration of Jordanian culture would be complete without honoring the kingdom's extraordinary culinary heritage. The Jordan International Food Festival, from 6 to 11 August brings together the finest flavors of the Levant and beyond. And with such a delectable range of food comes soulful melodies by Ahmed Saad (on 7 Aug ), who blends modern pop with traditional Arabic music and evokes the pangs of love, heartbreaks and separations through his renditions. 'The extraordinary lineup is an open invitation to experience Jordan's soul. In venues where our rich history lives and breathes, under skies that have witnessed the rise and fall of empires, contemporary artists will find their perfect stage. This underlines our commitment to providing seamless and rich cultural experiences for all visitors in 2025,' said Dr. Abdelrazzak Arabiyat, Managing Director of the Jordan Tourism Board. 'The country's diverse attractions and easy access ensure that whether visitors come for leisure, business or cultural exploration, they will discover our kingdom's extraordinary hospitality and vibrant cutlural experiences.' Headline acts include musical performances by Sami Yusuf – performing for the first time in Jordan – and Amr delighting their fans from across the region. The events are spread across the country, from the vibrant streets of Amman to the shores of the Dead Sea, blending the power of music and melody with the charm of nature and the allure of heritage. Over the past month, the country has witnessed an extraordinary calendar of musical events that have set the stage for what is in store. These included not just the soul-stirring melodies from the Arab world but also contemporary artists taking centrestage.. Among the most captivating events this year is the Jerash Festival for Culture and Arts from July 23 – August 2. Hosted in the magnificently preserved Greco-Roman city of Jerash, and set against the backdrop of ancient amphitheaters that have witnessed two millennia of history, the festival brings history to life while celebrating the past and present. Families will be delighted with the Pluma Circus, which depicts the story of self-discovery and empowerment through a little girl, whose tale of dreams will capture hearts. There is also a range of 'Friends of Jordan' festivals, including Echoes of Heritage at the Kerak Castle on July 25, while opera lovers can regale with the performance of renowned mezzo-soprano, Farrah El Dibany on July 9. The popular puppet character Abla Fahita, loved for her sharp tongue and acid humour, will have audiences in splits on July 19. Do not miss the Amman International Film Festival from July 2 to 10 that celebrates independent film and the best of movies from the Arab world. Amman will celebrate the '165 Entertainment Event's that will welcome some of the Arab world's most celebrated voices, such as Iraqi singer and composer Kadim Al Sahir, alias The Caesar, performing on August 14, followed by an unforgettable night that will witness two legends, Wael Kfoury and Abeer Nehme, captivating audiences. '2025 is the year of growth to Jordan Tourism and we are open to the world to come and experience exception,' said Dr. Arabiyat,. 'The tourism industry has put together unique cultural, artistic and immersive experiences to ensure each tourist enjoys their journey here.' August, also celebrated as the month for youth, will also feature performances by Hiba Tawaji and Oussama Rahbani (on Aug 30) at Abdali in addition to Fuheis, the town between Salt and Amman, hosting the Fuheis Festival. The celebrations continue with an Umm Kalthoum tribute by May Farouq at the Roman Theatre on Sept 20, and the legendary Amr Diab performing at Aqaba, while October will be headlined by the Sami Yusuf concert. There is so much more in store every month including the Bromine Amman Marathon (October 17) for the health and fitness enthusiasts followed by the Ayla Red Sea Marathon in December.


Sharjah 24
9 hours ago
- Sharjah 24
Int'l Award for Arabic Children's Literature: Call for Entries
Supporting Creative Arab Children Books UAEBBY has invited authors, illustrators, and publishers from around the world to submit their creative works in Arabic through the award's official website. This is part of its efforts to support Arab creativity in children's literature and enhance the presence of Arabic books for children and young adults in the global cultural landscape. Advancing Arabic children's literature The International Award for Arabic Children's Literature is one of the most prominent initiatives contributing to the advancement of Arabic children's literature, with its comprehensive vision that combines quality content, rich language, and profound message. Since its inception, the award has succeeded in transforming into a true platform for discovering talent and nurturing creative individuals. It has also helped motivate Arab publishing houses to produce engaging, creative, and innovative books that take into account the cultural specificities of the Arab region within high artistic standards. 5 Main Categories The total value of the award is AED 1.2 million, divided across five main categories covering various age groups (5-18 years). Prizes are distributed equally between the author, illustrator, and publisher in four categories, while the "Young Adult" category award is awarded to the author and publisher only. The award also allocated AED 300,000 to support specialised training programmes aimed at qualifying and developing young Arab talent working in the fields of writing, illustration, and publishing for children and young adults, in line with international standards and enhancing cultural identity. This year's award categories include: "Early Reader," for children from birth to five years old; "Picture Book," for ages 5 to 9; "Chapter Book," for ages 9 to 12; and "Young Adult Book," for ages 13 to 18. This year's new category, "Nonfiction," recognises distinguished Arabic works that inspire curiosity, promote critical thinking, and present realistic content in innovative, engaging, and age-appropriate ways. Conditions Entries must be original, written in Arabic, and published within the past five years. They must not have previously won any other awards. They must also not infringe on copyright or intellectual property rights. Manuscripts, educational books, series, electronic, or audiobook publications are not accepted. Participation must be through an officially registered publishing house. Resubmission of previously nominated books is prohibited. The jury also reserves the right to withhold the award or disqualify any work that does not meet the requirements. The award invites all those working in the Arabic children's book industry to participate with their works, which combine literary creativity with educational value and contribute to building a generation of readers who are aware and passionate about the Arabic language. Entries can be submitted via the award's website: They must submit a photocopy of the participating book, mention the applicant's name, and ensure all required information is provided in the approved electronic form. The winners are scheduled to be announced during the opening ceremony of the Sharjah International Book Fair 2025, where the winning works will be honoured in a festive atmosphere attended by a select group of writers, publishers, and bookmakers from within and outside the country. This represents the culmination of the award's ongoing efforts to support the Arab children's publishing industry and affirms the UAE's ongoing commitment to advancing Arab children's culture and strengthening the role of books in developing the awareness of generations.


Broadcast Pro
15 hours ago
- Broadcast Pro
Saudi comedy ‘Alzarfa' tops local box office, outperforming global hits
Alzarfa attracted 184,000 admissions and generated a box office gross of $2.4m within its first three days of release, according to data from the Saudi Film Commission. Saudi comedy Alzarfa: Escape from Hanhounia Hell has taken the lead at the Saudi Arabian box office over the weekend, outperforming major international releases Jurassic World Rebirth and F1: The Movie. The film, a wild heist adventure about three friends attempting to steal a treasure known as 'The Golden Rashrash' from a museum owned by an eccentric billionaire, claimed the number one spot with 213,000 admissions and a box office haul of $2.7m in its first three days, according to figures from leading regional distributor Italia Film. In comparison, Jurassic World Rebirth trailed significantly, landing in third place with 55,000 admissions and earnings of just over $800,000 in its debut weekend. Meanwhile, F1: The Movie, now in its second week, secured the second spot with 70,000 admissions and a $1.2m weekend total, pushing its cumulative gross in the kingdom to $3.8m. Alzarfa, produced by Saudi production companies Alshimaisi Films and Telfaz11 in partnership with Big Time Fund and distributed by Qanawat, is the latest local hit following their previous blockbuster Sattar, which grossed over $10m in 2023, becoming the highest-earning Saudi film since commercial cinemas reopened in 2017 after a 35-year ban. Blending elements of a heist film with a metafilm twist, Alzarfa follows the three protagonists from a failed robbery attempt to a surprising turn of events in which they become part of a film being produced by the same tycoon they had targeted. The fictional movie, depicting the tycoon's family history, is shot in the very locations tied to the treasure they had hoped to steal. Marking the feature directorial debut of Abdullah Majed—known for his short film Safraa's Night and the TV drama Ureem: Balcony Hotel—Alzarfa features a cast including Mohammed Shaif, Hamed Sharari, Ahmed Al-Kaabi, and Ibrahim Alkhairallah, along with a cameo from American actor Robert Knepper of Prison Break fame. Following its successful Saudi launch, the film is set to roll out across the region in the coming weeks. Its strong local performance reflects a growing trend in Saudi Arabia's evolving film industry, where homegrown titles are increasingly dominating box office charts. Earlier this year, Abdulaziz Alshlahei's period drama Hobal similarly outshone Hollywood competitors like Mufasa: The Lion King, Flight Risk, and Den of Thieves 2: Pantera in Saudi cinemas. With the country's annual box office stabilizing at around $200–$250 million, Saudi productions are proving they can compete head-to-head with international franchises. In a statement, executive producer and Alshimaisi Films CEO Ibrahim Alkhairallah said: 'It's incredibly exciting to see another Saudi film take the lead during a packed summer slate. Following the success of Sattar, Alzarfa is further proof that audiences are craving locally-rooted stories told in our own voice but on a scale that can rival the biggest global titles.'