Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — The Saudi Film Commission, represented by the National Film Archives, launched the "Cinema" initiative, which aims to enhance cinematic knowledge content as part of its efforts to support and enrich cinematic and critical activity in the local and regional arenas. The initiative was launched at the Culture Palace in Riyadh.

The initiative aims to develop and disseminate cinematic content across various channels, including written, audio, and visual formats. This will contribute to deepening understanding of the film industry, its criticism, and related issues. It will also stimulate critical and research activity, expand academic horizons, and enhance community dialogue about cinema. Furthermore, it will nurture promising talent and support local cinema platforms.

Abdullah Al-Qahtani, CEO of the Film Commission, explained that the initiative represents a new step toward enriching Saudi Arabia’s cinematic landscape by providing solid, informative content and creating an interactive dialogue environment that contributes to establishing cinema as an influential educational, cultural, and artistic tool, in addition to enabling the cinema community to exchange ideas and explore new horizons in the fields of criticism and research.

An agreement was signed between the Film Commission and the Radio and Television Corporation, with the aim of unifying efforts to support national cinematic content, empower talents and researchers, and contribute to preserving and protecting the cinematic heritage.

In addition, an agreement between the Authority and the International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI) will enhance cooperation in the field of film criticism and provide opportunities for communication, exchange of expertise with international critics, and participation in global forums and platforms.

The Film Critics Association was also established as the first independent professional entity concerned with film criticism in Saudi Arabia. It aims to develop the critical movement, empower critics, and promote cinematic culture locally and internationally.

The National Film Archive reviewed a number of its ongoing projects, including the Film Deposit Initiative, the Saudi Film Registry, the Oral History of the Arab Screen series, the Documentation of Saudi Arabia's Natural and Cultural History Initiative, and film preservation, restoration, and digitization programs.

This is part of its vision to become a national reference for filmmakers and a center for preserving and making available national and Arab cinematic heritage.