The Filmmakers’ Programme, launched by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Culture, has a clear aim: to support talent and develop skills among Saudi young men and women who are passionate about following a career in movies.
It is part of the Film Commission’s efforts to develop youth skills as part of Saudi Vision 2030, providing local film talents with knowledge, resources and access to the skills of global filmmakers.
The Filmmakers’ Programme opens up opportunities for beginners and amateurs with passion and skill in cooperation with prestigious international bodies – including the UK’s British Film Institute (BFI and the Creative Media Skills (CMS) Institute based in Pinewood Studios.
A second ‘practitioners and professionals’ track, for students with previous experience in filmmaking, provides more advanced and specialised courses.
As part of that broader initiative, in 2024 the Commission launched The Kader Programme. It’s an ‘end-to-end talent pipeline’ that takes young Saudis from their first encounter with filmmaking in school – through the Commission’s 101 Film Studio programme – all the way to working on internationally-distributed productions.
The Kader launch event featured two prominent figures in the film world – who both, coincidentally, had worked as engineers before realising their dream to make movies.
The first, Abdullah Al-Eyaf, introduced the programme. Al-Eyaf, born in Al-Hasa, Saudi Arabia, began professional life leading a team working on heavy lifts for the oil giant Saudi Aramco. He is now an acclaimed film director and novelist – and CEO of the Saudi Film Commission.
He outlined the programme, saying ‘we aim to train 4,000 people in 20 areas of the film value chain, hold 150 training workshops, and 10 masterclass courses in 13 regions around the Kingdom.
‘In the Kader Programme we will also target 50 promising national talents, in partnership with approximately 10 international cinema production houses.’
The courses cover everything from the traditional moviemaking craft skills like scriptwriting, cinematography and sound engineering to marketing and safety on set.
At the launch, Abdullah Al-Eyaf introduced Mohamed to give a masterclass.
Kordofani, from Sudan – a former aeronautical engineer – is a film director whose debut, Goodbye Julia, was feted worldwide, winning the Prix de la Liberté (Freedom Award) in the Un Certain Regard category at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival.
The Film Commission, one of 11 sector-specific commissions under the Ministry of Culture, Saudi is building state-of-the-art production facilities and offering financial incentives to grow the Kingdom’s film industry and develop local talent.
High-profile productions choosing to film in Saudi Arabia generate significant economic benefits – jobs, skills transfer and creative sector growth – alongside the cultural visibility they bring.
Together, the Film Commission’s Filmmakers development program and the Kader Programme will offer over 150 training courses.
Al-Eyaf spoke of the Commission’s role in developing talent and empowering Saudis.
The Film Commission, one of 11 sector-specific commissions under the Ministry of Culture, Saudi is building state-of-the-art production facilities
He said that learning about the latest technologies and tools helped create films that left a local and international cinematic imprint.
It’s something Al-Eyaf knows a lot about in his other role – as vice chairman of the Red Sea Film Foundation, which has become a home for storytellers from every culture and language, championing the best of global, Arab, African and Asian film talent.
That includes Mohamed Kordofani. Goodbye Julia, was funded by the Red Sea Film Foundation. Before its international success, the film landed a production award at the 2022 Red Sea Souk Showcase.
In Saudi Arabia today, the opportunities for young people like him to learn, to gain experience on sets and in studios, and to achieve their dreams have never been greater.
Saudi Film Commission https://film.moc.gov.sa/en
Credit: Daily Mail
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