British Council turns lens on young Saudi filmmakers
The research is part of a long-term plan by the British Council to support Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030
Updated 25 November 2020
Arab News
RIYADH: The British Council will host an online event on Nov. 25 for young aspiring filmmakers in Saudi Arabia.
The event, “Through the Eyes of Filmmakers,” will be led by Paul Pauwels, former director of the European Documentary Network.
Pauwels will be joined by a panel of local filmmakers, including Moayad Abualkhair, a documentary producer working on his first feature film; Abdulrahman Khawj , a screenwriter, director and producer who runs the production company Cinepoetics Pictures; Mansour Albadran, a director and producer working in corporate film; and Modhi Alzamil, a director whose first short film, “Dissonance,” explores cognitive dissonance through interviews with people of different ages and backgrounds.
Mansour Albadran, a director and producer.
The panel, who all attended the renowned Sheffield International Documentary Festival in the UK through the British Council in 2019, will discuss how these types of international opportunities have helped develop their work, their experience as young filmmakers in the Kingdom and ways to pitch a new project.
They will also chat about local and international opportunities, and take part in a Q&A session.
Abdulrahman Khawj, a screenwriter, director and producer.
This event comes on the back of British Council’s recent Saudi Film Skills research, which outlined the skills and capabilities needed to strengthen and expand the film sector.
The report found that Saudi Arabia has the potential to have more films made by Saudis in the Kingdom, but highlighted skill shortages as a major issue and called for more local training opportunities.
Moayad Abualkhair, a documentary producer.
The research is part of a long-term plan by the British Council to support Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and bring UK expertise in the creative industries to young people through capacity-building programs.
“We are delighted to deliver this webinar for aspiring Saudi filmmakers,” said Eilidh Kennedy McLean, director of the British Council in Saudi Arabia.
Paul Pauwels, former director of the European Documentary Network.
“It follows the launch of our Films Skills Research last month, which highlighted the need for further training and networking opportunities for young people in the sector. We hope through events like this we will inspire the next generation of young Saudi filmmakers, and develop an exciting, vibrant and commercially successful film sector.”
“Through the Eyes of Filmmakers“ is a free event, open to anyone interested in film skills in Saudi Arabia, and will be held from 1-2 p.m.
Saudi House kicks off Davos with push on Vision 2030, AI platform and ‘humanizing’ tourism
Saudi ministers dominate pre-summit spotlight at Saudi pavilion, touting Vision 2030’s next phase and human capital as key to global edge
Ministry of Economy and Planning announced the SUSTAIN Platform which aims to accelerate AI-enabled, cross-sector collaboration for sustainable development
Updated 20 January 2026
GABRIELE MALVISI
DAVOS: For regulars at the World Economic Forum, Monday in Davos is usually a chance to ease into the week, a time to reconnect, plan meetings and prepare for the intense schedule ahead.
This year, Saudi Arabia moved quickly to fill that lull, taking center stage with a packed program of panels ahead of Tuesday’s official opening.
At the Saudi House — the Kingdom’s official pavilion on the Promenade, returning after its debut as a standalone venue at the 2025 WEF Annual Meeting — Saudi ministers and global executives set out how the Kingdom sees the next phase of its transformation.
Monday’s speakers at the Saudi House included Minister of Finance Mohammed Al-Jadaan, Minister of Investment Khalid Al-Falih, Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb, and President and Vice Chairman of Meta Dina Powell McCormick. (Supplied)
Established by the Ministry of Economy and Planning, the venue is pitched as a platform for international thought leaders to tackle the challenges, opportunities and solutions shaping the global economy.
Opening a session on the Kingdom’s role at this year’s Forum and the next phase of Vision 2030 — now in its 10th year and roughly two-thirds complete — Princess Reema bint Bandar, Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to the US, said human capital “is the actual driver if you want a competitive, modern economy.”
She described one of the biggest achievements of the past decade as the emergence of a highly qualified cohort of young Saudis who could work anywhere in the world but “choose to come home, choose to build at home and choose to deliver at home,” calling this “the biggest symbol of the success of Vision 2030.”
Who can give you optimum access to opportunities while addressing risks? I contend that Saudi Arabia has been able to provide that formula.
Khalid Al-Falih, Saudi minister of investment
On the same panel, Minister of Finance Mohammed Aljadaan said this success is rooted in a “behavioral change” that has strengthened the Kingdom’s credibility with both international partners and its own citizens.
“Credibility comes from being very pragmatic, making sure that you maintain your fiscal policy discipline, but at the same time refocus your resources where it matters,” he said, warning that “markets will call your bluff if you’re not serious.”
The Saudi House, a cross-ministerial initiative led by the Ministry of Economy and Planning, is intended to underscore the Kingdom’s “commitment to global cooperation” by offering “a platform where visionary ideas are shared and shaped,” while showcasing opportunities and lessons from its “unprecedented national transformation.”
Lubna Olayan, Chair of the Corporate Board, Olayan Group
Echoing earlier comments to Arab News, Economy and Planning Minister Faisal Alibrahim said the Kingdom’s role as an anchor of stability has helped unlock its potential, stressing that while the objective is to decouple from reliance on a single commodity, “2030 is not the finishing line.”
Khalid Al-Falih, Saudi minister of investment, said Saudi Arabia has been able to enable access to opportunities while addressing major risks, arguing that few countries can match the Kingdom’s overall mix.
“No country has all of those to 100 percent,” he said. “But who can give you the mix that gives you optimum access to opportunities while addressing all of those risks?
Dr. Bedour Alrayes, Deputy CEO, Human Capability Development Program, Saudi Arabia
“I contend that Saudi Arabia has been able to provide that formula and the proof is in the pudding,” noting that local investment has doubled in recent years to reach levels comparable with India and China.
While societal transformation dominated the morning discussions, the afternoon turned to technology, tourism, sport and culture, four strategic sectors expected to spearhead Vision 2030’s next phase.
The Ministry of Economy and Planning used the day to announce the SUSTAIN Platform, due to launch in 2026, which aims to accelerate AI-enabled, cross-sector collaboration for sustainable development.
The ministry said SUSTAIN will translate the Kingdom’s public and private-sector coordination mandate into a practical national tool to help government entities, businesses, investors, academia and civil society identify credible partners, form trusted coalitions and move initiatives “from planning to implementation more efficiently,” addressing a global challenge where fragmented partnerships often slow delivery and blunt impact.
“We are in a moment in time where technology may well impact the face of humanity,” said Dina Powell McCormick, recently appointed president and vice chairman of Meta, welcoming the Kingdom’s “desire” to partner with technology companies and its embrace of innovation.
Minister of Tourism Ahmed Alkhateeb, discussing how technology is being deployed in his sector, underlined that “in travel and tourism, people are very important. We learn about other people’s culture through interacting with people. We digitalize the unnecessary and humanize the necessary.”
He added that while technological transformation is a priority, “we don’t want to replace this big workforce with technology. I think we need to protect them in Saudi Arabia, where we’re being a model. I’m an advocate of keeping the people.”
Throughout the week, Saudi House will host more than 20 sessions, including over 10 accredited by the WEF, across six themes: Bold Vision, Insights for Impact, People and Human Capability, Quality of Life, Investment and Collaboration, and Welcoming the World.
The pavilion will also launch “NextOn,” a new series of influential and educational talks featuring leading global voices.
