Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — Minister of Culture Prince Badr Bin Abdullah Bin Farhan has appointed Saudi Filmmaker Eng. Abdullah Al-Eyaf Al-Qahtani as CEO of the newly created Saudi Film Commission.

His appointment comes as a first step to start the commission’s work and begin discharging its responsibilities toward developing the Saudi film sector in all its directions, Saudi Press Agency (SPA) said on Sunday.

Al-Qahtani has vast experience in the field of films spanning over 15 years. He obtained Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM). He has been a jury member of many film festivals such as Gulf Film Festival and Abu Dhabi Film Festival and directed many award-winning films.

Al-Qahtani headed recently the programming and events team in the Saudi pavilion at Dubai EXPO 2020. Also he was the Director of Programing and Initiatives at King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra).

Through the creation of the Film Commission, the Ministry of Culture seeks to implement a strategic plan for developing the film sector in the Kingdom as well as to promote the Saudi film industry locally and internationally and working with cultural organizations regionally and internationally.

The commission will work with the concerned authorities to support the protection of intellectual property rights in areas related to film, in addition to developing educational and professional programs, and encouraging investment and facilitating an accelerated rate of growth in content.

The commission’s responsibilities also will include licensing sector activities and organizing exhibitions and events.

The Film Commission is one of the 11 new bodies formed by the Ministry of Culture to manage and develop various branches of the Saudi cultural sector following a Cabinet decision in this regard. This is part of the Ministry’s vision and orientation document announced in March 2019.