The three-day cultural programme includes dialogue sessions, presentations, masterclasse and film screenings.
The final session of the Film Criticism Conference, organised by the Saudi Film Commission, brought together critics, academics and filmmakers from Saudi Arabia and beyond to foster a deeper cinematic dialogue in the Kingdom.
This Riyadh edition marks the third stop in the conference series, following earlier sessions held in Aseer and Al-Qatif. The latest instalment centres on the intricate relationship between cinema and place, emphasising how location shapes both visual storytelling and cultural identity, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
Over three days, the event features a diverse cultural programme of dialogue sessions, presentations, workshops, masterclasses and screenings, designed to examine how filmmakers use geography and memory to convey meaning. Discussions have focused on how experiences abroad influence artists’ creative perspectives and visual language, while workshops have delved into cultural memory, cinematic expression, and the core principles of film criticism, offering practical tools to strengthen analytical approaches.
A dedicated session also explored the evolving role of film festivals in the digital age, highlighting their significance in preserving collective memory and nurturing global cultural exchange.
With participation from more than 30 speakers and film experts from around the world, the conference examines the notion of place in cinema as a visual and cultural space that reflects identity, memory and social transformation.
As part of its programme, the event screened News from Home (1976), a contemplative documentary blending personal letters from Brussels with long, meditative shots of New York City, evoking themes of alienation, nostalgia and the ties between home and distance.
