RIYADH: The world needs to see the Saudi Kingdom through Saudi films’ as 2nd Saudi Film Festival opened yesterday in Dammam.
The film festival is the second in the kingdom after seven years, and is showcasing more than 60 short films, competing for the “Golden Palm Tree” trophies.
The five-day festival will open eyes in Saudi Arabia to the possibilities of film despite objections from a section of the population that cinema will "Westernise" the Kingdom, reported Arab news
"I think we in Saudi Arabia have beautiful culture to tell the world," said filmmaker Abdullah Al-Eyaf, the head of the festival jury.
"Why should we wait for this country or that country ... to tell stories about Saudi Arabia?"
Most of the filmmakers being showcased are under the age of 25, said Al-Mulla, who sees his role as helping them to develop.
As well as screening films, the festival will include workshops on scriptwriting, music and directing, and talks by industry figures from around the region.
Among the films to be shown is "Grand Marriage", a documentary directed by Faisal Al-Otaibi that tells the story of a two-week wedding ceremony taking place in the archipelago nation of the Comoros.
ENDS
