Under the filmmaking mentoring programme, Holmes will team up with Film AlUla to identify three emerging female Saudi filmmakers, who she will then mentor throughout the year.
At the 76th edition of the Cannes Film Festival, Film AlUla and internationally renowned director, producer, and actress Katie Holmes (Rare Objects) announced the second phase of the ‘AlUla Creates’. The programme is the second part of the AlUla Creates initiative set up to nurture future generations of Saudi Arabian talent in the areas of film, the arts and fashion.
At an exclusive event taking place today in Cannes, AlUla Creates ambassadors Eva Herzigova and Saudi actor Mila Al Zahrani joined Holmes and Film AlUla’s Charlene Deleon-Jones for an exclusive panel event to discuss the initiative.
The second phase of AlUla Creates is a filmmaking mentoring programme that has been established to elevate and support the careers of Saudi female filmmakers who look to shape the industry of the future, providing them with mentorship from renowned industry professionals and the tools to further develop their projects.
The AlUla Creates film programme will be spearheaded by Katie Holmes, the director, actor and producer behind the recent feature adaptation Rare Objects and the 2022 romantic drama Alone Together. Holmes’ established career has spanned television, theatre, and film, and she is renowned for her breakout role on Dawson’s Creek and for blockbuster hits including Batman Begins, as well as being a supporter of independent filmmaking.
Supported by Film AlUla, via the AlUla Creates Initiative, Katie Holmes will team up to identify three emerging female Saudi filmmakers, who Holmes will mentor throughout the year, beginning with a location scouting trip to the spectacular region of AlUla in North West Saudi Arabia to develop and structure a short film concept. The winning concept will be announced later this year and is slated for production in Q1 of 2024 in AlUla.
The first phase of ‘AlUla Creates’ launched in March 2023 alongside the 95th Academy Awards with a focus on fashion.
Charlene Deleon-Jones, Executive Director at Film AlUla, said: “Following the successful launch of ‘AlUla Creates’ we are thrilled to be working with Katie Holmes on the filmmaking phase of AlUla Creates where we believe she will provide a unique and experienced perspective to the women on the programme. As a seasoned veteran of the entertainment industry who has held many roles across her career, Katie has a depth of understanding of the craft of filmmaking, combining discipline and vision in a way that will provide our mentees both inspiration and practical skills. Through this collaboration, we aim to champion new emerging filmmaking talent at every step of their creative journey as we continue to develop AlUla as a creative content production hub and further invest in a diverse and rich film culture.”
Katie Holmes commented: “I believe that women from all parts of the world should be empowered to follow their ambitions – It, therefore, brings me great joy to be joining the Film AlUla Creates Programme to support and enable female filmmakers from the region. I can’t wait to experience the creativity these women have to offer and to share experiences and perspectives from behind the camera.”
