DUBAI: The Middle East Institute in Washington DC is hosting works by female photographers from the Arab world. 

Tasneem Al-Sultan 

‘Diversity Within Saudi Weddings’ 

The acclaimed Lebanon-born Palestinian-American photographer Rania Matar has curated “Louder Than Hearts,” an exhibition of work by 10 female photographers, including herself, from the Arab world and Iran that runs at the Middle East Institute in Washington DC until October 4. Saudi Arabia is represented by Riyadh-based “visual storyteller and photographer” Tasneem Al-Sultan, specifically her “Saudi Tales of Love” series, which, the MEI says, is “informed by her personal journey through marriage and divorce.” 

In wedding images such as this one, Al-Sultan “depicts the constructs and expectations of marriage, including the elaborate ceremonies, as well as the various societal constraints the Saudi women she photographed faced and triumphed over” and “delves into the complexities of relationships and the interplay of tradition and individual choice.”  

The series has garnered global recognition for Al-Sultan, featuring in Time’s “Lightbox” photo series and the international photography fair Paris Photo. 

Rania Matar 

‘Farah (In Her Burnt Car)’ 

Matar’s photography, the MEI states, “captures intimate moments that transcend borders and cultures and explores themes of personal and collective identity through photos of women in the US and the Middle East.” 

The series to which this image belongs — “Where Do I Go? Fifty Years Later” — began after the devastating explosion in Beirut Port in August 2020, and the title alludes to the fact that 2025 will be the 50th anniversary of the beginning of Lebanon’s civil war. The wave of emigration that followed the 2020 explosion was “akin to that of 1984-85 when a wave of young people including herself left the war-stricken country. By photographing these women, Matar was relating to their experiences and their dilemma of immigration (decades) later.” 

Rehaf Al-Batniji  

‘Malak’ 

This image comes from Paris-based, Gaza-born photographer Al-Batniji’s series titled “(Shatt) The Beach & (Shatta) The Chili Pepper,” a project that explores “the social and cultural anthropology” of her hometown. Shatta is a major ingredient in Palestinian cuisine, and “emblematic of Gaza, where life’s challenges can sting like this fiery spice,” while shatt is “the serene beach where residents seek solace and escape their daily reality.”  

Al-Batniji’s work, the MEI states, “offers an intimate portrayal of the territory, reflecting the struggles and intensity of life under siege, as well as the resilience and vibrancy of its communities with refreshing hopefulness. Al-Batniji rejects the brutal imagery of conflict and instead uses color as a tool of resistance.” 

Carmen Yahchouchi 

‘Victoria’ 

Mali-born Lebanese photographer Yahchouchi has work from three of her series in the exhibition, all of which “capture the enduring impact of the Lebanese Civil War on women, highlighting their pivotal roles in the middle of chaos and devastation,” the MEI’s promotional material states. “Her work offers glimpses into their resilience, strength and sacrifice as they navigated through tumultuous periods of history emerging as heroines within their communities and families and assuming new roles in the public sphere.” This piece is from her series “My Mother’s Gun,” and demonstrates Yahchouchi’s talent for photographing “the intimate spaces of human experience, inviting viewers into her subjects' unique worlds.” 

Tanya Habjouqa  

‘Inner Resistance’ 

The Jordanian photographer and journalist, who lives and works in East Jerusalem, “melds a mordant sense of irony with an unyielding examination of the repercussions of geopolitical conflicts on people’s lives,” according to the MEI. This image comes from her “Occupied Pleasures” series, which, the institute says, “presents a multidimensional portrayal of humanity’s ability to find joy amid adversity in the West Bank, Jerusalem, and Gaza, utilizing a sharp sense of humor about the absurdities produced by a 47-year occupation.” 

DHAHRAN: Saudi filmmakers of the future were given a masterclass in the latest animation techniques as part of the Saudi Film Festival this week.

The animation workshops were led by experts from the US as part of a collaboration between the festival and the American Chamber of Commerce and US Consulate in Dhahran.

Todd Albert Nims, one of the pioneers in shaping the Saudi film industry over the past decade, told Arab News that with a population of 36 million, many under 35, Saudi Arabia is ripe with potential in the film sector.

Nims, an American who was born and raised in Dhahran, is now head of the AmCham Arts, Culture and Entertainment Committee, and has been involved in all aspects of Saudi-centered films, from acting to producing.

“I went to the first Saudi Film Festival in 2008 and worked with them on bringing the Saudi Film Festival into Ithra … I was there with them, and I’ve been here within this journey for the last 16 years,” he said.

Nims said that many Saudis grew up watching Disney films, and began their filmmaking efforts creating short content on YouTube.

He said there is huge potential for the Saudi market to grow, adding that he wanted to offer young filmmakers the opportunity to “gain expertise right in their backyard.”

Travis Blaise, who has over three decades of experience in animation, and has worked on Disney classics such as “Beauty and the Beast” and “The Lion King,” was on hand to conduct a five-day workshop.

“I was brought on to bring something new and unique to this Saudi Film Festival, which was bringing storytelling, or visual storytelling, to script,” he told Arab News. 

Together with fellow American William Winkler, Blaise dedicated each day to bringing the overall picture to life, sketching ideas, developing the story structure, and even discuss the backstory of characters.

The goal was for each student to develop their own 30-second script. The workshop began with 11 students, but the figure soon ballooned to 20.

“Every single student was Saudi; most of them were women from several universities, while a couple were already professionals working in the industry,” Blaise said.

“I love the excitement and passion that they (the Saudi students) share because I have shared that same passion for the last 34 years, and the fact that I can bring something of my own experience to someone who is passionate and open-minded and willing to learn about film really is exciting,” he said. 

The experts told Arab News that they are committed to building connections between the US and Saudi film industries, recognizing its potential to inspire, educate, and entertain audiences both domestically and internationally.

“Through filmmaking, we aim to strengthen ties between the US and Saudi Arabia by fostering mutual understanding and creative collaboration,” Alison Dilworth, the US deputy chief of mission, told Arab News.