Contest launched to finance Saudi films with prizes up to SR40 million

Saudi women study film making at a university in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia March 7, 2018. (Reuters)
Updated 30 September 2019
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Contest launched to finance Saudi films with prizes up to SR40 million

  • All entries will be assessed by juries specializing in choosing winning film projects for every track, and the results will be announced on Feb. 20, 2020

RIYADH: The Ministry of Culture launched the Daw’ (Light) Competition on Sunday to support Saudi films as part of the Quality of Life Program 2020 — one of the Saudi Vision 2030 programs — to empower national talents that are active in filmmaking. There will be four tracks, including supporting and developing screenwriting and supporting film production and films of Saudi students majoring in filmmaking at international institutes and universities.
Filmmakers from screenwriters to producers wishing to participate in the competition can apply online through the link https://engage.moc.gov.sa/film for a period of three months, from Sept. 29 until Dec. 29.
All entries will be assessed by juries specializing in choosing winning film projects for every track, and the results will be announced on Feb. 20, 2020.
The ministry aims to support Saudi talents majoring in filmmaking and provide a funding platform and logistic support to produce Saudi movies with prizes of up to SR40 million ($10.6 million), in accordance with a professional working program that includes pre-production and post-production phases.

HIGHLIGHT

Filmmakers from screenwriters to producers wishing to participate in the competition can apply online through the link https://engage.moc.gov.sa/film for a period of three months, from Sept. 29 until Dec. 29.

The competition will support filmmakers, provide all the necessary assistance to produce their films in accordance with recognized standards and bolster local movie production, which will help create a production infrastructure and clear career paths for people of different specializations in the filmmaking sector.
The Daw’ Competition will be divided into four main tracks: A complete text which will provide full or partial support to produce the film; a script under development which will provide support for writing the full script and produce the movie; a track for filmmaking students which aims to support Saudi students who major in filmmaking abroad; finally complete films, the fourth track which supports produced Saudi films that need help in distribution, presentation and local and international participations.
This competition is the biggest of its kind to support Saudi films with prize money that will support 35 Saudi cinematic projects from short and long movies which will be produced after the competition.


Saudi watchdog warns of possible health risk from Nestle baby formula

Updated 8 min 51 sec ago
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Saudi watchdog warns of possible health risk from Nestle baby formula

  • Company voluntarily recalls its Nan, Alfamino, S-26 Gold and S-26 Ultima products over concerns they might be contaminated with cereulide, a toxin produced by bacteria
  • Saudi Food and Drug Authority says recall is precautionary and no related illnesses have been reported, but advises consumers to dispose of recalled products immediately

RIYADH: The Saudi Food and Drug Authority on Tuesday warned the public not to consume certain Nestle infant formula products, after the company issued a voluntary recall over concerns about possible contamination.

The advisory covers products marketed under the Nan, Alfamino, S-26 Gold and S-26 Ultima brands. They might be contaminated with cereulide, a toxin produced by the Bacillus cereus bacteria, which can pose a risk to infant health, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The Saudi authority said the recall was a precautionary measure and no related illnesses have been reported. Possible symptoms of exposure can include nausea, repeated vomiting and abdominal pain.

It advised consumers to dispose of the recalled products immediately, and said it was coordinating with Nestle to ensure they are removed from stores and is monitoring the process.

Full details of the affected products, including batch numbers, are available at the Saudi Food and Drug Authority website. The organization said consumers can report any food safety concerns by calling 19999.