The sixth Saudi Film Festival, which came to an end this week, included live broadcasts of discussions and screening of films produced by both young and experienced filmmakers.
Commenting on the event, Festival Director Ahmed AlMulla said it was an unprecedented experience due to the unusual circumstances caused by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. He said: “I congratulate all filmmakers who have participated with us in the various programs and events.”
AlMulla is a well-known literary figure with decades of experience in organizing and managing art and literary activities.
He obtained a bachelor’s degree in social studies at King Saud University’s College of Arts in 1982.
He has been a part-time adviser to the chairman of the board of directors of the Saudi Arabian Society for Culture and Arts since January 2018.
AlMulla served as a member of the board of directors of the Cultural Resource Foundation in 2018.
He worked as director of the Culture and Arts Society in Dammam from December 2013 to January 2018.
From 2006 to 2011, AlMulla served as administrative director and member of the board of directors of the Literary Club in the Eastern Province.
He is also an experienced journalist having worked as the editor in chief of Al-Riyadi newspaper from 1997 to 2003.
He was the director of cultural and social activities at King Faisal University between 1983 and 1996.
AlMulla is an accomplished poet and has won many awards and accolades including the Muhammad Al-Thubaiti Poetry Prize in 2016.
He has attended several literary and cultural events across the world. AlMulla is an author with several books to his credit and a columnist for different Arabic dailies.
Ahmed M. AlMulla, Saudi Film Festival director
https://arab.news/932vz
Ahmed M. AlMulla, Saudi Film Festival director
Saudi Arabia launches key projects at World Defense Show in Riyadh
- Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman unveils initiatives
- New firms set up and deals inked at event running to Feb. 12
RIYADH: Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman unveiled new initiatives and signed several agreements on the opening of the third World Defense Show in Riyadh on Sunday.
Prince Khalid opened the show on behalf of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Organized by the General Authority for Military Industries, the five-day event will run until Feb. 12, showcasing the Kingdom’s rapid strides toward strategic independence and technological leadership in the defense sector.
The 2026 edition features a purpose-built venue with a 2,700-meter runway for live air and land demonstrations, underscoring the show’s status as a premier global defense event.
The GAMI’s Gov. Ahmad Al-Ohali said the show reflects Saudi Arabia’s commitment to localizing over 50 percent of military spending in line with Vision 2030, and fostering an integrated ecosystem where government bodies and international partners collaborate on innovation.
Strategic agreements and major launches
At the Saudi Arabian Military Industries Group pavilion, Prince Khalid launched several key initiatives.
- New entities: The inauguration of the SAMI Land Co., SAMI Autonomous Co., and the SAMI Land Industrial Complex.
- Supply chain: The unveiling of the SAMI Local Content Program and the HEET Program.
- International cooperation: A memorandum of understanding was signed between the Saudi General Authority for Defense Development and the Korean Agency for Defense Development on advanced military research.
- Defense deals: The minister signed cooperation agreements with Slovakia, Malaysia, and Somalia.
Technological debuts and innovations
The show is also serving as a launchpad for cutting-edge security technologies across various government sectors.
- AI-Powered Lucid Gravity: Public Security debuted its advanced Lucid Gravity electric security vehicle at the Ministry of Interior’s pavilion.
The vehicle integrates state-of-the-art artificial intelligence and specialized security equipment designed to accelerate emergency response times and support field operations.
By leveraging predictive intelligence and advanced command-and-control systems, the Lucid Gravity exemplifies the ministry’s commitment to protecting the Kingdom.
- Smart helmet: Also at the Ministry of Interior’s pavilion, the General Directorate of Civil Defense unveiled its smart helmet.
Designed to revolutionize public safety and emergency response, the helmet features day-and-night cameras and specialized sensors to detect hazardous materials in hard-to-reach locations.
The device serves as a mobile command node, delivering live video feeds directly to command-and-control centers. By enabling real-time data analysis and faster decision-making, the helmet reduces response times and enhances personnel safety in high-risk environments.
- Border security: The General Directorate of the Border Guard showcased an integrated security system featuring radar and thermal cameras capable of detecting drones and classifying moving targets to protect critical infrastructure.
It also functions as an early warning system for critical facilities and border areas and is fully integrated with command-and-control systems.
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Counter-terrorism: The Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition presented a comprehensive framework integrating intellectual, media, and military domains to combat extremism and terror financing.
Visitors were briefed on specialized programs designed to raise the readiness of national personnel and foster sustainable institutional cooperation among member states to combat extremism.
On the event’s opening day, the pavilion hosted high-level delegations, including ministers, military leaders, and ambassadors who reviewed and praised the coalition’s pivotal role in coordinating local and international security efforts.
A view of the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition pavilion. (SPA) -
Meteorology: The National Center for Meteorology displayed advanced weather systems essential for ensuring the safety of the event’s air shows and military operations.
At its dedicated pavilion, the NCM is showcasing its latest advanced meteorological technologies and systems. These solutions serve both the military and civilian sectors, providing accurate data to support beneficiary entities’ operational processes.
World Defense Show CEO Andrew Pearcey said that participation is expected to surpass previous records, reflecting the event’s growing importance on the international stage.
