Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea film festival postponed due to coronavirus

Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea International Film Festival has been postponed due to the ongoing coronavirus outbreak. (Red Sea Film Festival)
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Updated 04 March 2020
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Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea film festival postponed due to coronavirus

LONDON: Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea International Film Festival has been postponed due to the ongoing coronavirus outbreak.

The organizers released a statement on Tuesday saying that the decision was driven by the safety and wellbeing of guests, staff and audiences being of “primary consideration.”

The statement said: “It’s with feelings of deep sadness that we have had to take this tough decision. The spread of coronavirus is a battle we all must face around the globe, and its with no hesitation that we are respecting all the measures needed to meet the current health emergency.

The organizers thanked people for their “support and understanding” and assured film fans the festival would take place at a later date “as soon as feasible” as they “remained committed to all filmmakers, producers, partners and audiences.”

The 10-day event was set to feature a number of local and regional movies and high-profile guests such as director Spike Lee were scheduled to attend.


Saudi Arabia advances education investment through new partnerships

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Saudi Arabia advances education investment through new partnerships

  • Riyadh forum sees 12 agreements signed to enhance infrastructure, innovation, capacity building, and public-private collaboration

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Education Yousef Al-Benyan inaugurated the second Education and Training Investment Forum in Riyadh.

The two-day event, which concluded on Monday, was attended by leaders, decision-makers, investors, and experts.

The forum focused on transforming the education sector into a key economic driver, aligned with the Human Capability Development Program and Saudi Vision 2030.

In his speech, Al-Benyan highlighted the support of the Kingdom’s leadership, enabling the ministry to foster partnerships with the private and nonprofit sectors.

This includes launching an investor guide to facilitate foreign investment in education through legislative frameworks ensuring secure returns.

During the forum, 12 agreements and memoranda of understanding were signed between the education ecosystem and various entities, focusing on education investment, training development, capacity building, and innovation.

These agreements aim to strengthen strategic partnerships and improve educational outcomes, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The minister also honored outstanding students who excelled in international competitions, including the 2025 WorldSkills Asia and the Seoul International Invention Fair, recognizing their contributions to excellence and innovation.

The forum featured over 1,500 participants, including government leaders, educational institutions, and investors, and included panel discussions, keynote speeches, and workshops on investment strategies in education and successful public-private partnerships.

On the sidelines of the forum, New Murabba, a Public Investment Fund company, signed a memorandum of understanding with Tatweer Buildings Co., a subsidiary of Tatweer Education Holding Co.

The MoU establishes an exploratory collaboration to strengthen educational infrastructure and support community development in downtown Riyadh, the SPA added.

Under the agreement, New Murabba and Tatweer Buildings Co. will share expertise, form strategic partnerships, and co-develop programs to enhance the design, development, and operation of educational and community-focused projects.

The MoU also emphasizes incorporating global best practices in the design and operation of educational spaces, the SPA reported.

Both parties are committed to promoting sustainability by exploring eco-friendly solutions for future facilities and projects.

The collaboration will also provide consultancy and thought leadership to improve the quality and impact of educational initiatives.

The agreement includes exploring economic feasibility studies, supporting innovative public-private partnerships, and driving long-term, high-impact investments in the sector.

Michael Dyke, CEO of New Murabba, said: “This partnership with Tatweer Buildings Co. reflects our shared vision for shaping world-class educational and community spaces. Together, we aim to deliver projects that are purpose-driven, sustainable, and aligned with Saudi Arabia’s future ambitions.”