The open call closes on August 4, 2023, and a panel of Arab filmmakers will select the final projects to receive funding.
The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) has launched a new film fund that aims to attract international filmmakers to shoot fully-financed movies in the kingdom. The announcement was made during the 76th edition of the ongoing Cannes Film Festival.
Under the initiative, Ithra Film Productions aims to commission and fund up to five films annually.
Speaking about the funding initiative, Majed Z. Samman, Head of Performing Arts & Cinema at Ithra, said: “Ithra Film Production supports Saudi Arabia’s growing film industry by nurturing home-grown talent and fostering cinematic content creation. We invite international filmmakers to collaborate with filmmakers in the Kingdom and join us on our journey to accelerate talent and sector development in Saudi.”
This is Ithra’s first open call for film proposals. Samman announced the fund in the Ithra-hosted discussion panel themed “Saudi Arabia: A film destination opportunity” at the Saudi Pavilion. The panel highlighted Saudi opportunities and collaborations within the film industry ecosystem. Samman was joined by Charlene Deleon-Jones, Film AlUla Executive Director, Fatima AlBabtain, Film Financing Manager at Saudi Arabia’s Cultural Development Fund, and Zeinab Abu Alsamh, General Manager of MBC Studios and CEO of MBC Academy.
Samman said the fund offers filmmakers from around the world the opportunity to film against the backdrop of the Kingdom’s landscapes. “By working with local crews, we hope to facilitate an organic process of knowledge transfer and cross-cultural exchange that would elevate the local industry and enrich the global cinematic landscape.”
The deadline for Ithra’s open call for film proposals is August 4. A panel of distinguished Arab filmmakers will select the final projects to receive funding.
