Red Sea Fund partners with Effat University to empower female filmmakers
As part of this initiative, the foundation is spotlighting talented participants, beginning with filmmaker Hadeel Moharram. Her graduation film, When Home is Gone, was successfully completed with support from the Red Sea Fund, showcasing the programme's impact on emerging Saudi talent.
This partnership underscores the Red Sea Film Foundation's commitment to nurturing female filmmakers, aligning with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 to foster a thriving creative industry. By investing in the next generation of storytellers, the initiative aims to strengthen the country's growing film landscape and empower women in cinema.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Broadcast Pro
a day ago
- Broadcast Pro
Tunisian mystery thriller film ‘Agora' to screen at Zawya Cinema
Slim's third feature fiction, the film focuses on a remote town in Tunisia where missing people return after many years. Tunisian filmmaker Ala Eddine Slim's latest feature, Agora, is set to screen at Cairo's Zawya Cinema with English subtitles, offering audiences a suspense-filled experience that blends mystery with social reflection. The screenings are scheduled for Thursday, July 24, at 4:30 pm, Saturday, July 26, at 7:00 pm, and Tuesday, July 29, at 7:00 pm. A French-Tunisian co-production, Agora is backed by the Red Sea Fund and produced by Julie Viez's Cinenovo in collaboration with Slim's Exit Productions. The film secured 80% of its $743,000 budget, underscoring strong international interest in the project. Agora explores a mysterious phenomenon in a remote Tunisian town where people who had gone missing for years suddenly return. These returnees stir tensions among families and the wider community, prompting local police inspector Fathi and his doctor friend Amine to investigate. The situation becomes increasingly strange and complex, particularly with the arrival of Omar, a police inspector from the capital, who attempts to unravel the mystery. Slim describes Agora as a reflection on the past, resurfacing painful memories and societal failures. The film delves into themes of family and community conflict, and the tension between urban life and nature. Slim emphasises the symbolic significance of the city's public square, where key decisions about the returnees are made. The film also features a visual narrative with special effects and makeup, blending elements of a thriller and investigative story. Slim, who also produced the film, sees Agora as a continuation of his previous works, exploring recurring motifs such as the city, the forest and animals. The film addresses contemporary issues such as economic, social, health and security challenges, mirroring the complex realities of today's Tunisia.
Broadcast Pro
a day ago
- Broadcast Pro
Saudi film ‘Hijra' to compete at Venice Film Festival 2025
Shot over more than 55 days in eight Saudi cities, the story unfolds against the backdrop of Hajj. Saudi filmmaker Shahad Ameen's second feature film, Hijra, has been officially selected for the Spotlight Competition at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival, set to run from August 27 to September 6, 2025. The selection marks a major return to Venice for Ameen, whose debut Scales also premiered at the festival, represented Saudi Arabia at the Oscars, and collected more than 15 international awards. Ameen takes on both writing and directing roles for Hijra, collaborating with celebrated Iraqi filmmaker Mohamed Al-Daradji as lead producer. Set in 2001, the film is described as a poetic road movie centred around a grandmother's journey from southern Saudi Arabia to Mecca with her two granddaughters. When one of the girls goes missing, the quest takes a dramatic turn northward, unfolding an emotional and physical journey across the Kingdom's varied terrain. Shot across nine different locations including AlUla, Tabuk, Neom and Jeddah, the film is a layered reflection on identity, womanhood, and belonging. Ameen described Hijra as one of the most demanding projects of her career, highlighting its strong focus on Saudi women told through a deeply human and historical lens. Leading the cast is newcomer Lamar Fadan in the role of Janna, alongside Khairia Nathmy, Nawaf Al-Dhafiri and a guest appearance by Baraa Alem. The film is a co-production between Beit Ameen for Production, the Iraqi Independent Film Centre, and Ideation Studios, with institutional backing from Film AlUla, Neom, Ithra and the Red Sea Film Festival Foundation. International sales are managed by CAA, while CineWaves is distributing in Saudi Arabia and Film Clinic Indie Distribution is handling regional rights across the Arab world. Supporting Hijra's vision is a top-tier international crew including editor Hervé de Luze (The Pianist), cinematographer Miguel Littin Menz (The Vast of Night) and composer Armand Amar (Bab'Aziz), along with Saudi talents Meznah Alharbi and Toufic Khreich. Rooted in the landscapes and cultural depths of Saudi Arabia, Hijra is a powerful statement of the Kingdom's growing voice in global cinema.
Gulf Business
3 days ago
- Gulf Business
How Saudi Arabia leveraged events and influencers to boost reputation
Image: Getty Images Saudi Arabia's international reputation has seen a measurable improvement, according to the Key findings reveal sustained reputational gains In 2024, positive media coverage of Saudi Arabia increased by 25 per cent compared to 2023, while negative coverage declined by 55 per cent since 2020. These shifts signal a long-term transformation in how the Kingdom is perceived internationally. CARMA's multi-market public survey, which gathered insights from the UK, USA, India, Singapore, and Russia, found that 59 per cent of respondents expressed a favourable view of Saudi Arabia. Among these, 37 per cent said their perception had become more positive in the past 12 months. Vision 2030 leads the narrative The Vision 2030 agenda has become central to international discussions about Saudi Arabia, accounting for 60 per cent of global media coverage—the highest share recorded to date. Notably, coverage of Saudi Arabia's social and economic transformation now exceeds the volume of political discourse for the first time since 2020. Tourism, entertainment, and major events fuel attention Coverage related to the Kingdom's economy rose by 77 per cent in 2024, supported by events such as the Future Investment Initiative, the LEAP tech conference, and the World Defence Show. Tourism and entertainment coverage grew by 60 per cent year-on-year, reflecting the country's efforts to position itself as a global destination. While coverage of sports fell by 7 per cent, it still made up 11 per cent of total global media volume, driven by events like Saudi Arabia's confirmed bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup. Influencers and leadership shaping perceptions Influential global personalities such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, MrBeast, and Elon Musk contributed to increased engagement with Saudi Arabia's growing entertainment and cultural presence through high-profile social media posts. CARMA also noted that Saudi leadership was frequently represented in international media as drivers of reform, mega-project development, and regional diplomacy. Survey results reflect this shift in perception: 59 per cent of respondents expressed interest in visiting Saudi Arabia, 60 per cent were open to doing business in the Kingdom, and 52 per cent said they would consider working there. Read: Methodology CARMA's report integrates AI-powered sentiment analysis, human interpretation, international media review, influencer tracking, and public perception data. The methodology offers a 360-degree view of how Saudi Arabia's evolving strategies are influencing global perceptions. The report underscores how sustained communication efforts, landmark reforms, and strategic investments in tourism, sports, and culture are reshaping international attitudes toward the Kingdom.
