JEDDAH: For the second time in one year, Saudi Arabia surprised its people on Dec. 11 by announcing the reopening of movie theaters in the Kingdom.
A hashtag went viral on Twitter and social media that created a big fuss immediately after the announcement between opponents and supporters of the decision. Here is how famous social media figures reacted to the news.
Hossam El-Sayed, a movie director and animation filmmaker, told Arab News: “The decision was expected and obvious in light of the entertainment boom in the Kingdom. The impact of the local film industry is linked to academic education, which I hope will soon be intensively spread through workshops of the international film industry.”
He said: “I believe Twitter gauges the real pulse of decisions and the community rejoiced in it. As an animated filmmaker, I question how talented filmmakers will be supported in the region.”
Ali Al-Sumain, a Saudi director, told Arab News: “The real industry will now begin. With cinemas, individuals in the Saudi community will be exposed to a new type of entertainment...”
He added: “It will create a huge difference in the way we perceive things around us, so if a person is watching a movie for the sake of art appreciation, art will be appreciated more.
“I will be affected as one of the audience before being affected as a director in the first place. The phrase ‘I am going to the cinema’ will be probably the one I am going to use most.”
Mamdoh Salem organized and supervised the first Saudi film festival, with a total of 27 television shows under his name, he told Arab News: “The cultural and entertainment system has been completed now after the decision to allow cinemas and the community will live a normal social life.”
“On a personal level, I am currently at the Dubai Film Festival to sign contracts to produce Saudi and Gulf films as well as to purchase the rights of some international films.”
He added: “The film industry in Saudi Arabia and the Western region will recover in view of the importance of the Saudi market size.”
Ibrahim Saleh is a Saudi writer, comedian and the presenter of “Bab Wahid,” a sport program about the world of Saudi football on MBC Pro Sports, told Arab News: “The whole Saudi community witnessed the steps that have been taken recently and how Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman gave entertainment in our country great attention, particularly in supporting talented young men and women as well as supporting cultural and artistic diversification in different activities.”
“I am a young man who aspires to provide many youth works that reflect the aspirations of the Saudi youth in particular and convey an honorable image of my country and my religion, which has been badly distorted lately.
“I really want to deliver clear, worthy messages that reflect about us to all segments of the world through Saudi cinema,” he said.
Saleh said rapprochement between artists, directors, photographers and writers is an important requirement to gain experience and exchange views and ideas related to Saudi and Arab art.
Many social media tweeted about the news, such as famous Saudi movie critic Maher Mousy, who was so thrilled that he recorded a video of himself dancing on his snapchat to express his excitement, in addition to his Twitter account that was full of tweets about the news.
Louay Al-Shareef, a Saudi writer, programmer and presenter of “Falimha” show, tweeted: “Films taught me a lot about the English language...”
2017 is the year of achievements for the Kingdom, in line with the Vision 2030 and all the important entertainment decisions came with it, such as offering music concerts, allowing women to drive and today, cinemas.
How Saudi filmmakers reacted to the news
How Saudi filmmakers reacted to the news
Imam Abdul Rahman bin Faisal University wraps up Handis Hackathon 24
- 16 teams were nominated, showcasing projects across various specializations
DAMMAM: Imam Abdul Rahman bin Faisal University, represented by its Faculty of Engineering, has successfully concluded Handis Hackathon 24.
The event witnessed the participation of 88 male and female university students from the Eastern Province. It took place at the university’s headquarters in Dammam.
Dr. Murad Al-Thobaiti, dean of the faculty of engineering, said: “The event garnered significant participation from both male and female students within the university, as well as from other Saudi universities in the region.”
He said 16 teams were nominated, showcasing projects across various specializations.
Saudi Justice Ministry to host training conference
RIYADH: The Saudi Ministry of Justice is to hold the International Conference of Judicial Training in Riyadh from May 6-7.
The Judicial Training Center hosts the event which will see the participation of several international training institutes, centers, and experts in the field of judicial and legal training. The objective is to facilitate the exchange of experiences and deliberations on contemporary trends in the era of digital transformation.
Called “The Future of Judicial Training in the Era of Digital Transformation,” the event will delve into the prospects of training in the future. It will explore paths for enhancing training content; strategies for harnessing modern technology; artificial intelligence in judicial training; and effective methodologies for measuring the training’s impact.
Saudi energy minister attends Tashkent International Investment Forum
TASHKENT: Saudi Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman on Thursday participated in the primary dialogue session at the third Tashkent International Investment Forum.
In the presence of the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the energy minister highlighted the distinguished relations between the two nations, emphasizing the leadership’s strong commitment to enhancing and expanding cooperation across all sectors, particularly energy.
The partnership aims to benefit both countries and their citizens.
Who’s Who: Ali Alhasan, CEO and founder of NanoPalm
- Alhasan co-developed deep tech to leverage large language models for biotech discovery
- He was granted the Outstanding Researcher Award from the International Institute for Nanotechnology in 2012
Ali Alhasan is CEO and founder of the company NanoPalm. He holds a Ph.D. in nanomedicine, with expertise in nano-drug delivery and gene therapy and five years of experience in executive management.
In his role as CEO, Alhasan formulates the strategic and business plans for accelerating therapy translation globally and trains talents in deep tech, nanotech, and gene editing tech.
Alhasan co-developed deep tech to leverage large language models for biotech discovery. He also co-invented Nanopalm’s biorobots for the delivery of gene editing primers and helped discover four nanomedicines for four different genetic diseases.
He is also an associate professor at King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology and an adjunct professor at Alfaisal University, establishing collaboration agreements between the two.
As associate professor, he is the principal researcher for development and innovation in nanomedicine and the fourth industrial revolution.
In his role as adjunct professor, Alhasan teaches nanomedicine and mentors postgraduate and undergraduate students. He also co-established the Cancer Nanoscience Program.
Previously, Alhasan served in executive leadership roles at KACST as deputy at the Joint Centers of Excellence Program (2021), deputy of the Life Science and Environment Research Institute (2020), director of the Center of Excellence for Biomedicine (2020), and director of Strategic Initiatives (2016).
Alhasan was a post-doctoral scholar at the University of California in 2015 and received his Ph.D. in the Interdepartmental Biological Sciences Program from Northwestern University in 2013.
In 2008, he received a master’s degree in biotechnology also from Northwestern University, while in 2001, he received his bachelor’s degree in medical technology from King Abdulaziz University.
Alhasan was granted the Leader of the Year award from the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology in 2024. In 2018, he received the Outstanding Investigator Award from KACST.
He was granted the Outstanding Researcher Award from the International Institute for Nanotechnology in 2012.
Prince Faisal bin Farhan speaks with Swiss foreign minister
- two ministers discussed developments of common interest and efforts made by both countries in those areas
RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan spoke on the phone with his Swiss counterpart Ignazio Cassis on Thursday.
During the call, the two ministers discussed developments of common interest and efforts made by both countries in those areas, Saudi Press Agency reported.
Cassis was in the Kingdom last month to attend the Special Meeting of the World Economic Forum held in Riyadh on April 28 and 29, during which he met with Prince Faisal.
Prince Faisal and Cassis also met earlier in the year in February during UN meetings in Geneva.
