Under the patronage of Saudi Minister of Culture and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Film Commission Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, the commission is organizing for the first time the fourth edition of the Gulf Cinema Festival, between April 14 and 18 in Riyadh.
Dignitaries, cultural and media figures, as well as prominent activists and influencers in the film industry attend the festival.
Film Commission CEO Abdullah bin Nasser Al-Qahtani delivered the minister’s speech at the opening of the festival. In it, the minister said that “this edition of the festival represents a crucial milestone in cultural cooperation among the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, and embodies our wise leadership's commitment to enhancing collaboration among us”.
“This festival, which brings us together today, reflects the strong connection between ambition and the cultural strategy of the GCC countries, which play a significant role in enhancing cultural exchange, expanding infrastructure, drawing inspiration from successful experiences, and encouraging Gulf talents to offer more,” he said.
At the opening ceremony, a film was screened shedding light on the depth of Gulf cinema and the festival's contribution to enhancing and enriching its growth trajectory.
The Film Commission is hosting the festival with the key objective of enriching the national cinematic scene, and providing creative platforms that empower talented individuals to showcase their innovative works and share their experiences with industry professionals.
The numerous Gulf filmmakers present at the festival engage in dialogue, attend workshops, and share their cinematic experience.
The rich and diverse program of the five-day festival features the screening of 29 films, three training workshops, and six cultural seminars exploring the cinema industry.
Discussions will range from the future of cinema to the challenges facing Gulf filmmakers.
Awards will be given to winners in nine categories, recognizing outstanding contributions to Gulf cinema.
