The Saudi Media Forum and the accompanying Future of Media Exhibition (FOMEX) concluded last month with more than 30,000 visitors attending the show, according to the show organiser. BroadcastPro ME brings you show highlights and sound bites from exhibitors.
Saudi Media Forum President Mohammed Fahad Al-Harthi met with a group of high-profile international experts and industry leaders in Riyadh to explore strategic collaborations and innovative content production opportunities that align with Saudi Arabia’s 2030 vision of becoming a global media powerhouse. Al-Harthi emphasised Saudi Arabia’s commitment to fostering a dynamic media ecosystem, highlighting the investment in accelerators, incubators and production funds designed to support international partnerships. “The future of media is built on collaboration, innovation and cross-border content creation. We are excited to work with global leaders to shape a new era of storytelling,” he commented.
The meeting also addressed the importance of AI in content creation, the evolving landscape of streaming platforms and the role of the Kingdom as a hub for global media projects. There was a lot of enthusiasm about potential partnerships, particularly in film, animation and immersive media experiences.
This dialogue marks a significant step in strengthening Saudi Arabia’s position in the global media industry, paving the way for co-productions, content distribution agreements and knowledge exchange between local and international players.
Amr al Saeed, Marketing GM, Egyptian Media Production City
Egyptian Media Production City is the hub for media production in Egypt. We have around 120 studios ranging from 50 to 2,000sqm and we are now building four more to accommodate all the requests. All Egyptian channels broadcast from there, along with several Arabic networks such as MBC Egypt and Orbit. The facility also features outdoor shooting areas designed to resemble different locations, including London, traditional Egyptian neighbourhoods (Shabi) and Islamic settings.
All Egyptian series and movies are filmed within the production city. In addition to production, we have launched a dedicated section for cinematic restoration, working on around 60 movies over the past three years. The site also houses a Dolby Atmos Studio, one of the most advanced sound mixing facilities in the Middle East. Currently, preparations are underway for this month of Ramadan, a particularly busy season. Over the last three years, the focus has been on hosting productions rather than producing original content. A key challenge at the moment is the development of a new four-star Mercure hotel within the production city. Additionally, this year marks the third time we are attending FOMEX, an event that has shown significant improvements since the previous edition.
Isam Ayyad, Founder and General Director, Total Media Cast
Total Media Cast and Primecast together unveiled Beamy, a hologram screen, at FOMEX this year. This screen has multiple applications, one key one being an AI-powered avatar. It can connect to databases, ChatGPT or other platforms, allowing users to interact with it for information. It’s ideal for front desk systems in institutions, hotels and other public spaces. Another major application is as a digital mannequin replacement. With Beamy, users can easily swap outfits on a virtual model, making it perfect for retail displays. By shooting a model against a white background, the screen creates a 3D holographic mannequin that can dynamically showcase clothing, pricing and other details. From a broadcast perspective, Beamy can be used for news presenting by integrating various apps directly into the screen.
We are already demonstrating its capabilities in Qatar with Al Rayyan TV, where the screen is being used for interviews. A guest appeared as a 3D hologram in the studio, allowing the presenter to engage with them as if they are physically present. TMC has also started a major project in Syria, where we are evaluating and consulting on the relaunch of Syria’s national TV channel. This includes assessing equipment, staff and operational logistics. Right now, we are in the evaluation phase, and investment priorities will be determined next. We are also involved in a news channel project in Afghanistan in partnership with SNEWS, a well-known Brazilian news system provider. While it’s an Afghan channel, there are discussions about launching it in Dubai. Our focus remains on supporting the broadcast industry with cutting-edge solutions and being part of key transitions happening across the region. FOMEX has been a great place to meet with potential customers.
